Author: Joel Schofer, MD, MBA, CPE
DoD Probationary Workforce Statement
As the Secretary announced yesterday, the Department of Defense is re-evaluating our probationary workforce, consistent with the President’s initiative to reform the Federal workforce to maximize efficiency and productivity.
This re-evaluation of probationary employees is being done across government, not just at the Defense Department, but we believe in the goals of the program, and our leaders are carrying out that review carefully and smartly.
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.
We expect approximately 5,400 probationary workers will be released beginning next week as part of this initial effort, after which we will implement a hiring freeze while we conduct a further analysis of our personnel needs, complying as always with all applicable laws.
As the Secretary made clear, it is simply not in the public interest to retain individuals whose contributions are not mission-critical. Taxpayers deserve to have us take a thorough look at our workforce top-to-bottom to see where we can eliminate redundancies.
As we take these important steps to reshape the workforce to meet the President’s priorities, the Department will treat our workers with dignity and respect as it always does. Those who commit themselves to defending our nation deserve nothing less.
– Darin Selnick, Performing the Duties of Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Statement on General Officer Nominations
This evening the President announced that he intends to nominate Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine, USAF, for the position of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest-ranking military officer, and the principal military advisor to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council.
General Caine embodies the warfighter ethos and is exactly the leader we need to meet the moment. I look forward to working with him.
The outgoing Chairman, Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown, Jr., USAF, has served with distinction in a career spanning four decades of honorable service. I have come to know him as a thoughtful adviser and salute him for his distinguished service to our country.
I am also requesting nominations for the positions of Chief of Naval Operations and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff. The incumbents in these important roles, Admiral Lisa Franchetti and General James Slife, respectively, have had distinguished careers. We thank them for their service and dedication to our country.
We are also requesting nominations for the Judge Advocates General for the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Under President Trump, we are putting in place new leadership that will focus our military on its core mission of deterring, fighting and winning wars.
– Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth
Finance Friday Articles
- Examining Vanguard’s Forecasted Returns for the Decade Ahead
- One Stock at a Time
- Protect Your Brokerage Accounts From ACATS Transfer Fraud
- Should You Make Roth or Traditional 401(k) Contributions?
- Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement?
- Solar Panels: A Bad Financial Decision for Me
- What It Looks Like to Run Out of Money
- What You Need to Know About the Survivor Benefit Plan
- When Safe Withdrawal Rates Collide With RMDs
- Why Hiring Your Spouse Is (Probably) a Bad Idea (Even If Hiring Your Kids Is Not)
Updated FITREP Instruction
The FITREP instruction was just updated and is at the end of this post. Before we get to the file, below is a summary of changes that was e-mailed out by PERS. I will eventually update my FITREP guidance, but that will take a little bit. Here is the summary:
The Navy Performance Evaluation System (BUPERSINST 1610.10G) has been updated, effective 28 January 2025. These updates are designed to improve our evaluation process (see attached). Below are the key changes and action items to ensure compliance with the new policy:
Key Updates:
1. Performance Expectation Meetings
• Supervisors must conduct a performance expectation meeting within 30 days of a member’s check-in or previous evaluation date.
• Ensures clear expectations are set for performance evaluations.
2. New Narrative Requirements for Evaluations
• Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Assessment:
• Required narrative in evaluations of all E-4 and above, CPOs, and officers.
• Focus on command climate and handling of sexual harassment/assault cases.
• Get Real Get Better (GRGB) Comments:
• Now required for O-5/O-6 commanding officers and encouraged for all.
3. Terminology Changes
• “Full-Time Support (FTS)” is now “Training and Administration of the Reserves (TAR).”
• “Active Duty for Special Work (ADSW)” is now “Active Duty for Operational Support (ADOS).”
4. Warfighting & Mobilization Readiness in Evaluations
• Reserve Component (RC) reports must include warfighting readiness assessments and mobilization capability.
5. Senior Enlisted Reporting Changes
• MCPON, Fleet/Force Master Chiefs, and CMDCMs reporting to flag/general officers no longer require periodic or detachment reports.
6. Officer Evaluations for Academic Institutions
• Officers at academic institutions must now include career recommendations in their FITREPs.
7. Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) Updates
• Block 20 codes updated to reflect the latest Body Composition Assessment (BCA) and Physical Readiness Test (PRT) policies.
Action Required:
• Supervisors must conduct performance expectation meetings within 30 days of check-in or last evaluation.
• Ensure SAPR and GRGB narratives are included where required.
• Update terminology (FTS → TAR, ADSW → ADOS) in all command documents.
• Incorporate warfighting readiness assessments into Reserve Component evaluations.
• MCPON, Fleet/Force and CMDCM reports should comply with new reporting exemptions.
• Verify compliance with updated PFA codes in performance evaluations.
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