Pentagon to eliminate 5,400 probationary workers from next week

WASHINGTON – The Defense Department announced on Friday a plan to cut 5,400 probationary workers starting next week and implement a hiring freeze.

This decision follows a visit by officials from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to the Pentagon earlier in the week. U.S. officials revealed that the DOGE received lists of probationary employees during their visit. It’s important to note that this list excludes uniformed military personnel who are not affected. Probationary employees typically refer to those who have been on the job for less than a year and have not yet received civil service protection.

“We anticipate reducing the Department’s civilian workforce by 5-8% to produce efficiencies and refocus the Department on the President’s priorities and restoring readiness in the force,” stated Darin Selnick, the acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness.

Probationary employees are generally those on the job for less than a year and who have yet to gain civil service protection.

President Donald Trump’s administration is firing thousands of federal workers who have fewer civil service protections. For example, roughly 2,000 employees were cut from the U.S. Forest Service, and an 7,000 people are expected to be let go at the Internal Revenue Service.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has supported cuts, posting on X last week that the Pentagon needs “to cut the fat (HQ) and grow the muscle (warfighters.)”

The Defense Department is the largest government agency, with the Government Accountability Office finding in 2023 that it had more than 700,000 full-time civilian workers.

Hegseth also has directed the military services to identify $50 billion in programs that could be cut next year to redirect those savings to fund Trump’s priorities. It represents about 8% of the military’s budget.