Department of Defense Defies Layoffs, Opens Critical Civilian Posts

The Department of Defense layoffs are reshaping the federal workforce through a strategic hiring freeze; and yet, the DoD has plans to continue to staff-up and hire for specific critical roles that support the mission of national defense.

Despite the specific defense layoffs, the Department of Defense jobs in essential services continue to accept applications. Specifically, positions at shipyards, depots, and medical treatment facilities maintain active recruitment status. The Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force have authority to approve hiring exemptions at these readiness-centric locations, ensuring vital services like DoD schools and child and youth programs remain fully staffed.

DoD Announces Critical Positions Exempt From Hiring Freeze

Jules W. Hurst III, acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, announced significant exemptions from the ongoing Pentagon hiring freeze, outlining critical positions that remain open for applications. The exemptions focus on roles that directly support military readiness and essential services, marking a strategic shift in the Department of Defense’s civilian workforce management strategy.

Which Facilities Remain Open for Hiring?

Following pressure from lawmakers and military advocates, the DoD published comprehensive guidance specifying numerous facilities exempt from the department-wide freeze. Notably, all positions at shipyards, depots, arsenals, and maintenance facilities remain actively recruiting. Additionally, the following facilities continue hiring:

Military medical treatment facilities performing patient care or essential to hospital operations
DoD schools requiring instructors and facility support staff
Child and Youth Programs seeking qualified personnel
United States Military Entrance Processing Command
Facilities requiring civilian mariners

“DoD will continue to recruit the great Americans who manufacture artillery shells, repair and refit our warships, maintain our fleets of military vehicles and equipment, teach the sons and daughters of Service members, and provide medical care to our warriors and their families,” stated Hurst in the official announcement.

The exemption status extends to positions paid from non-appropriated funds and dual-status military technicians, as confirmed in Department of the Air Force guidance. Moreover, the military departments may also approve internal personnel actions into critical positions that do not increase overall department strength.

How Military Readiness Drives Exemption Decisions

The Pentagon’s exemption decisions prioritize direct contributions to warfighting capabilities. According to the March 14 memo signed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, “DoD will only hire mission-essential employees into positions that directly contribute to our warfighting readiness”.

This readiness-focused approach resulted from a comprehensive assessment of how each position impacts national security priorities. Military department secretaries received delegated authority to approve hiring freeze exemptions for their respective civilian positions, but only after review by the Office of Personnel and Readiness.

Each week, the Secretaries of Military Departments and DoD Component heads must submit proposed hiring freeze exemptions to the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civilian Personnel Policy. These proposals require justifications prioritizing positions directly linked to building readiness and providing essential services.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen acknowledged the critical nature of these exemptions, stating, “I’m relieved that the administration heard our calls to protect jobs that are vital to national security…”. However, even with these exemptions, the Department of Defense still plans to reduce its civilian workforce by 5-8%.

Job Seekers Find New Opportunities Despite Defense Layoffs

Amid nationwide defense layoffs, several critical Department of Defense sectors continue actively recruiting qualified professionals. These hiring exemptions create valuable pathways for job seekers in specialized fields related to healthcare, maintenance, and education.

Medical Treatment Facilities Actively Recruit Healthcare Professionals

The Defense Health Agency operates more than 700 healthcare facilities worldwide, all exempt from current hiring restrictions. Healthcare professionals—including nurses, physicians, medical technicians, and administrative staff—remain in high demand at military treatment facilities across the globe. These positions offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits packages, and unique professional development opportunities. Job seekers can apply directly through USAJobs.gov or through the DHA’s dedicated careers portal, where positions span from entry-level to specialized roles requiring advanced certifications.

Shipyards and Depots Seek Skilled Technical Workers

Naval shipyards and maintenance depots face significant workforce challenges yet continue hiring skilled tradespeople. The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard’s apprenticeship program trains civilians in over two dozen shipyard trades, including welding, electrical work, and machine operations. Nevertheless, retention issues persist throughout the defense industrial base, with approximately 50-60% of newly hired shipyard workers leaving during their first year. Current recruitment efforts include hiring incentives, direct hiring authorities, and partnerships with vocational schools. Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division actively solicits resumes from qualified candidates in engineering, technical, and logistics fields despite broader defense staffing reductions.

Education Positions Open at DoD Schools

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) maintains active recruitment for its network of schools serving military families. Both teaching and non-teaching positions remain exempt from the hiring freeze. School-level professionals—including teachers, counselors, and nurses—can apply through DoDEA’s Employment Application System, whereas administrative and support staff positions are posted on USAJobs.gov. DoDEA particularly seeks educational aides and substitute teachers for its Americas, Europe, and Pacific regions, requiring only a high school diploma or equivalent for consideration.

Military Departments Implement Different Approval Processes

Each military branch has established its own mechanism for processing exemptions to the Department of Defense layoffs directive. These tailored approaches reflect the unique mission requirements and workforce needs of the individual services.

How Army Processes Exemption Requests

The Army utilizes a specialized exemption process focusing on critical infrastructure and security positions. Currently, the Army can approve temporary Direct-Hire Authority for Criminal Investigators at the GS-09 through GS-14 levels, valid through December 2024. Furthermore, the Army Corps of Engineers maintains hiring authority for Real Estate Personnel, including Realty series (GS-1170) positions at grades GS-09 through GS-15 and Appraising series (GS-1171) at grades GS-12 through GS-15. The Army’s exemption process prioritizes positions that directly support combat readiness and installation security operations.

Navy Prioritizes Shipyard and Maritime Positions

In response to growing maritime threats, the Navy has implemented specific exemptions aimed at rebuilding shipbuilding capacity. The service recently established a Direct Reporting Program Manager for Maritime Industrial Base to oversee investments in ship and submarine construction. This office, led by Frederick “Jay” Stefany, coordinates the largest shipbuilding mobilization since World War II. Simultaneously, all Civilian Mariner positions remain exempt from the freeze, as do positions at shipyards, arsenals, and maintenance facilities. The Navy has explicitly prioritized these exemptions to address the concerning statistic that America’s shipbuilding industry represents only 0.13% of global capacity.

Air Force Focuses on Technical and Engineering Roles

The Air Force implements a percentile-based approval system for hiring exemption requests. According to department guidance, the Air Staff and major commands may submit new hire requests when their onboard strength falls below 90% of their January 2025 levels. By contrast, Space Force field commands operate under a more lenient 95% threshold. The Air Force specifically exempts Aircraft Operations series positions, including Air Reserve Technician pilots and instructor positions at training bases like Columbus, Laughlin, and Sheppard. Additionally, the service prioritizes technical positions supporting its engineering and defense technology initiatives.

Department of Defense Jobs Require Specific Application Steps

Applicants seeking employment within the Department of Defense must navigate an increasingly complex application process due to the ongoing department of defense layoffs. Despite the freeze, USAJobs.gov continues to post positions exempt from restrictions, requiring candidates to understand specific submission requirements.

Navigating DoD During the Hiring Freeze

Job seekers should carefully review vacancy announcements on JOBSwithDOD for specific DoD civilian roles that are currently being offered. Currently, postings for exempt positions explicitly state: “This position is subject to the DoD hiring freeze. Offers of employment related to this vacancy announcement will not be executed until the position has an approved exemption”. Consequently, applicants should focus on positions at medical treatment facilities, shipyards, depots, and educational institutions, which remain actively hiring.

The platform still requires users to complete the standard application process, including answering assessment questions, submitting required documentation, and meeting all qualification requirements. As stated in the March 18 guidance memo, positions at installations supporting fire, life, and safety functions are prioritized for exemption consideration.

Required Documentation for Exempt Positions

Applications for exempt Department of Defense jobs require comprehensive documentation to verify eligibility. Essential submission materials include:

Complete resume showing relevant experience with precise dates (month/year), hours worked weekly, and detailed duties performed
SF-50 forms (for current federal employees) demonstrating time-in-grade requirements
DD-214 Certificate of Release (for veterans claiming preference)
Educational transcripts or professional certifications as specified
Proof of eligibility for special hiring authorities (if applicable)

Initially, unofficial transcripts are acceptable, though official versions are ultimately required if selected. Applications lacking proper documentation “will not be referred to the hiring manager” as emphasized on current vacancy announcements.

Timeline Expectations for Application Processing

Although the Office of Personnel Management established a 45-day hiring model, the current freeze has extended typical timelines. Applicants should anticipate a multi-step process beginning with application receipt, followed by qualification review, referral decisions, and potential interviews. In contrast to standard practices, additional exemption approval steps now extend the process by several weeks.

Conclusion

Although the Department of Defense continues its significant workforce reduction through strategic hiring freezes, essential positions remain available across critical facilities. Military readiness stands as the primary factor determining hiring exemptions, particularly at shipyards, medical facilities, and educational institutions. Meanwhile, each military branch maintains specific approval processes for managing these exemptions effectively.

The defense industrial base faces notable challenges, especially with retention rates showing approximately half of new shipyard workers leaving within their first year. Therefore, qualified candidates seeking positions in healthcare, maintenance, or education sectors find substantial opportunities despite broader staffing reductions. Military treatment facilities, maintenance depots, and DoD schools actively recruit professionals through streamlined application processes.

Above all, successful navigation of the current hiring landscape requires careful attention to documentation requirements and position-specific exemption status. Candidates should expect extended processing times due to additional approval steps, though positions supporting critical readiness operations maintain priority status. This strategic approach ensures the Defense Department balances necessary workforce reductions while preserving essential military capabilities and support services.