Rep. Calvert Introduces Bill to Create a More Efficient Defense Workforce

March 14, 2014

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) introduced legislation aimed at creating a more efficient civilian workforce at the Department of Defense (DOD). The Rebalance for an Effective Defense Uniform and Civilian Employees (REDUCE) Act (H.R. 4257) would require the DOD to make civilian workforce reductions in a systematic manner without compromising our ability to maintain a strong national defense over the long term.

"The growth of the civilian workforce within the DOD continues to create a significant budgetary burden but, more importantly, if left unchecked it will negatively impact our men and women in uniform," said Rep. Calvert. "Secretary Hagel's recently announced military reduction plan trims the wrong side of the DOD. It would negatively impact our troops, compromise our national security, while failing to make the tough but necessary decisions needed to trim the civilian workforce at the DOD."

The Growth in the Civilian Workforce within the DOD:

From 2001 to 2012, the active duty military grew by just 3.4 percent. Yet over the same timeframe, the number of civilian defense employees grew by 17 percent, an increase five times greater than the armed forces. (Source: Open Letter to Congress. Defense Reform Consensus. 3 Jun. 2013.)

Since 2009, the size of the Office of the Secretary of Defense civilian workforce has grown to more than 2,000 people, or nearly 18%. (Source: Eaglen, Mackenzie. About That Boom! in the Pentagon's Civilian Workforce. Time Magazine. 20 Jun. 2013.)

The Joint Staff grew from 1,286 people in 2010 to 4,244 people in 2012, a 230 percent increase. (Source: Weisgerber, Marcus. Pentagon, Regional Staffs Growing Despite Orders to Trim Personnel. Defense News. 2 Jun. 2013.)

According to former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman, each defense civilian reduction of 7,000 personnel saves at least $5 billion over five years. Using his numbers and calculating a 15% reduction from the current level of 770,000 civilian employees, H.R. 4257 would save $82.5 billion over the first five years.

"The savings generated from H.R. 4257 should stay within the Department and be redirected to fund Service priorities such as modernizing weapons systems, readiness, resetting the force and, most importantly, providing for our fighting men and women in uniform," said Rep. Calvert.

"Many of our civilians at the Pentagon and around the world do a fine job but their growth is unsustainable." continued Rep. Calvert. "Our current and retired military leaders have widely acknowledged the need to establish a more efficient defense workforce in order to preserve our national security posture in the future. However, actions speak louder than words and I believe Congress will ultimately have to force DOD's hand to implement these necessary changes."

The requirements of the REDUCE Act will accomplish the following:

Reduce our Defense civilian workforce by 15% by FY 2020. This percentage was recommended by the Defense Business Board, a trusted, authoritative, and independent source of expertise.

The Department of Defense civilian workforce would remain at or below this established cap of a 15% reduction for Fiscal Years 2021 through 2025.

The Department of Defense civilian Senior Executive Service career appointee workforce will be reduced to 1,000 by 2020 and remain at or below 1,000 employees for Fiscal Years 2021 through 2025.

Provide the Secretary of Defense the authority to use voluntary separation incentive payments and voluntary early retirement payments in order to achieve the required reductions in personnel.

Provide the Secretary of Defense the authority to assign greater weight to job performance versus tenure in a Reduction in Force then the Secretary currently has.

Require a two-fold reporting requirement for this Act: (1) a report from the Secretary of Defense covering the progress and impact of the requirements of this Act in the annual budget request for Fiscal Years 2017 through 2025. The Secretary of Defense may also report to Congress on the impact of the provisions at any time throughout the year (such as when submitting the report on achievement of performance goals as required by Sec. 116 of title 31 of the United States Code on "Agency performance rating."), (2) a GAO study, no later than 3 years after enactment of this Act, that shall examine the progress and impact of the requirements of this Act.

The following Representatives are original cosponsors of the REDUCE Act:

Rep. Tom Cotton (AR-4)
Rep. Kay Granger (TX-12)
Rep. Darrell Issa (CA-49)
Rep. Devin Nunes (CA-22)
Rep. Todd Rokita (IN-4)