The Pentagon expects to fire between 5 and 8% of its civilian workforce, with the first round of layoffs targeting 5,400 probationary workers starting next week, according to a Defense Department statement.
The dismissals are meant to “produce efficiencies and refocus the department on the president’s priorities and restoring readiness in the force,” Darin Selnick, acting under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said in the statement.
The Pentagon will then impose a hiring freeze while it reviews personnel needs. Defense Secretary