Defense Workforce
Unions sue to restore DOD collective bargaining rights, asserting ‘chaos’
A new lawsuit alleges that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s order last April to terminate most union contracts led to a slapdash implementation process that stripped bargaining rights even from those exempt from President Trump’s anti-labor executive orders.
Pentagon launches ‘War Force’ initiative to onboard tech talent
The new recruitment effort was started in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management and operates under that agency’s larger Tech Force program.
AI skills are becoming part of the hiring baseline at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
The intelligence agency is reshaping training for both new and existing employees as it builds AI and data management into core job expectations across the workforce.
Congress wants answers on Pentagon’s use of military lawyers in civilian jobs
A bipartisan NDAA provision would require GAO to examine whether assigning JAGs to Justice Department work is affecting military readiness and morale.
Union renews call for lawmakers to override Trump’s anti-union EO at the Pentagon
Last year, the House voted to pass its annual defense policy bill with a provision that would have halted implementation of President Trump’s executive order banning collective bargaining at the Defense Department and other agencies, but the Senate axed the measure.
House panel rejects bid to keep military lawyers focused on military work
Lawmakers split over whether the administration’s expanded use of JAG officers supports homeland security priorities or pulls them away from their core mission.
Ready, fire, aim: Pentagon cut workforce with little analysis before or since, GAO finds
Defense officials concurred that lessons should be drawn—but gave no indication they will be.
The Army wants to reinvent how it feeds soldiers in the field
A new sources sought notice targets alternative protein technologies as a means to reduce logistics burdens and strengthen supply chain resilience.
When does federal service really end? DOD case challenges retirees’ speech rights
A Pentagon effort to discipline retired Navy officer and Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., over public comments is raising broader questions about whether military retirees remain subject to federal authority, and what that could mean for speech rights, retirement benefits and post-service obligations.
Defense workers' morale has plunged under Trump, survey finds
Only 9% of Army civilians found Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership motivating.
Hegseth orders ‘ruthless’ review of JAGs. Some see an attempt to evade accountability
Current and former military lawyers question the secretary’s motives and timing.
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A year into Hegseth’s cuts, Defense civilians report ‘degraded performance’ and low morale
And the hiring freeze is still keeping overseas workers from taking new jobs stateside.
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Hegseth ramps up pressure on Defense civilians to deploy for immigration enforcement
All supervisors must encourage employees to volunteer, secretary says, and requests will be accepted absent high-level intervention.
Now accepting applications — for classified intel
Foreign adversaries are using fake jobs and consulting gigs to coax secrets from former U.S. officials. It’s had results, and the efforts don’t appear to be slowing.
Nearly all civilian Defense employees are back in the office, but watchdog says officials should better track telework eligibility
Employees who are still teleworking are mostly exempt from the in-person work requirement.
Pentagon would have to explain future JAG firings under NDAA provision
The compromise version of the defense policy bill reflects lawmakers’ concern about Hegseth’s February purge of three judge advocates general.
House strips its own provision protecting Defense civilians’ union rights from NDAA
A source familiar with congressional negotiations said that the bipartisan language effectively nullifying President Trump’s anti-union executive orders as they pertain to the Pentagon was dropped due to lack of support in the Senate.
CISA tells staff to not speak with reporters, internal email shows
“CISA does not comment on leaked internal emails, especially when they’re about leaking internal emails,” CISA Director of Public Affairs Marci McCarthy told Nextgov/FCW when asked for comment.
NSA has met 2,000-person workforce reduction goal, people familiar say
A broader Pentagon goal to shrink the nation’s defense budget over the coming five years could potentially subject the agency to further downsizing.
Foreign spies are targeting Army soldiers, civilians and families, official warns
Current and former federal workers, especially those with security clearances, should be aware of the attempts, an Army intelligence chief said in a November memo.
