Pentagon's DOGE Initiative Continues, 55,000 Civilian Jobs Cut

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative at the Pentagon continues its operation with strong internal support, according to recent Pentagon briefings. Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson emphasized ongoing momentum for the program, stating unequivocally that DOGE work within the department will continue without interruption. While immediate next steps weren't detailed, Wilson confirmed the team remains focused on executing its mission across all Defense Department branches.

Initiated at the start of President Trump's second term, DOGE is a large-scale federal effort aimed at identifying waste, fraud, and abuse to generate taxpayer savings through spending and personnel reductions. Though initially spearheaded by Elon Musk as a special government employee, Musk's tenure concluded in May 2025. The current DOGE team at the Department of Defense comprises approximately a dozen individuals, many with prior military service, dedicated to supporting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's priorities in cutting bureaucracy and aligning operations efficiently.

Secretary Hegseth directed a comprehensive review of defense programs early in the DOGE operation, mandating major spending cuts and a strategic realignment with administration priorities. This included plans for a 5-8% reduction in the DoD civilian workforce through methods such as temporary hiring freezes, termination of probationary staff, and a voluntary deferred resignation program (DRP). Officials reported that Pentagon leadership had approved roughly 55,000 DRP applications as of July. However, Wilson stated the department currently has no new updates on near-term plans for further workforce reductions, emphasizing that no final decisions on additional cuts have been made while assuring continued commitment to modernization and optimization.

The impact of DOGE-related budget cuts extends beyond the Pentagon. The U.S. National Weather Service announced it will restore hundreds of positions previously eliminated under these federal cost-cutting measures, indicating a partial reversal of personnel decisions driven by the efficiency drive. Furthermore, the Department of Government Efficiency's actions have reportedly affected sectors outside the federal government, including non-profits and healthcare organizations, due to the resulting federal budget reductions. State-level activities also reflect DOGE's influence, such as Pinellas County in Florida preparing documentation for an on-site audit conducted under the Florida DOGE program.

At the core of the Pentagon's DOGE activities, Press Secretary Wilson underscored the fundamental objective: ensuring warfighters are equipped for their missions by maintaining a department that functions efficiently and effectively.