Pentagon targets 50% reduction in permanent changes of station
In a memorandum sent to the secretaries of the military departments last Thursday, the Pentagon noted that the Department of Defense currently spends roughly $5 billion per year to move military personnel and military families to different assignments.
'While these permanent change of station (PCS) moves support mission requirements, the frequency can reduce quality of life for Service members and their families, harm spousal employment, and disrupt functional communities, unit cohesion, and long-term talent management,' the memorandum stated.
'As we look across the Department for efficiencies, the Military Departments must determine which PCS moves are most critical to support operational requirements and key professional development,' the Pentagon added. 'Lower-priority PCS moves should be reduced for Service members and their families seeking greater geographic stability.'
The Pentagon's memorandum directed the secretaries of the military departments to develop plans to reduce 'discretionary move' budgets for permanent change of station moves. The memorandum states that the 'discretionary move' budges should be reduced by 10% by Fiscal Year 2027, 30% by Fiscal Year 2028, 40% by Fiscal Year 2029, and 50% by Fiscal Year 2030.
READ MORE: Pentagon changing transgender soldiers' records to biological sex: Report
According to Fox News, Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Tim Dill told reporters that the Pentagon's permanent change of station budget cut target has not been finalized despite the release of the memorandum.
'We want them to come back and tell us if that seems like the right number for them,' Dill told reporters. 'If they come back and say, well, this specific course of action could be harmful, then we don't want to accomplish it.'
Dill told reporters that based on the results of the 2024 Survey of Active Duty Spouses, which showed that 32% of military spouses supported leaving the U.S. military, it was time for the Defense Department to 'look at reducing the frequency of those moves, especially if we want to maintain the momentum that we have today both in recruiting and the retention of service members.'
Addressing the issues caused by permanent changes of station, Dill said, 'Families have to go find a home, they need new arrangements for their children… and they're displaced from the community of support that they've developed over the years in their previous duty station.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Politico
5 minutes ago
- Politico
DOJ to start turning over Epstein files to Capitol Hill
'Officials with the Department of Justice have informed us that the Department will begin to provide Epstein-related records to the Oversight Committee this week on Friday,' he said. 'There are many records in DOJ's custody, and it will take the Department time to produce all the records and ensure the identification of victims and any child sexual abuse material are redacted.' Speaking with reporters earlier in the day on Capitol Hill, Comer said his committee was 'in constructive, productive conversations with the DOJ' about the release of further files in the Epstein case, ahead of the Aug. 19 deadline the committee included in its subpoena. Still, the possibility that any materials are now forthcoming comes at a critical juncture for Democrats in their efforts to play up the controversy over the secretive nature of the Epstein files to undermine Republicans, particularly as the weeks count down to the end of the August recess. Comer was compelled to issue the subpoena for the files last month when, during an otherwise routine Oversight subcommittee hearing, Democrats were able to get enough Republicans to take their side in a vote to force the action. It was a major victory for Democrats, who have been seeking to stoke divisions among the president's base over the matter, including by highlighting the administration's lack of transparency. Trump's allies and supporters have long peddled conspiracy theories about what happened to Epstein, who died by suicide behind bars and has a long history of ties to powerful people — including Trump. Yet now the president and his inner circle have largely been trying to keep documents related to the charges against Epstein under wraps. The issue has also roiled Republicans in Congress. GOP leadership has moved to quash efforts to force the release of materials in the Epstein matter and sent lawmakers back to their districts early amid mounting pressure to allow a vote on releasing the materials. Members of both parties have made clear they plan to pick up where they left off in this fight when the House returns early next month, starting with a forcing a vote on the House floor on a resolution from Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) calling for the files' unsealing.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Timely payments for Guard deployed to DC a concern, lawmaker says
National Guard troops have been stationed in Washington, D.C. for a week, but when they'll get paid for the unusual assignment is still unclear. This weekend, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., raised concerns about potential delays in the deployed troops' pay due to paperwork and assignment procedures. He asked for specific timelines on military pay for the roughly 800 D.C. National Guard personnel patrolling the streets of the nation's capital. 'While I recognize that these soldiers will be compensated eventually, I am troubled by the prospect of servicemembers not knowing when they will be paid next,' Blumenthal, the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, wrote in a letter to White House and Pentagon officials. 'Any delay in compensation for their service will place many Guardsmen in financial hardship. Even though servicemembers understand that they will be compensated at some point, they should not have to wonder when exactly their next paycheck will come.' 3 GOP-led states to send hundreds of National Guard troops to DC Pentagon officials declined to respond to questions about the affected troops' pay, adding that they would follow up with the congressional request at some point in the future. In addition to the 800 D.C. National Guard personnel, about 700 more Guardsmen from West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio have been deployed throughout the city following President Donald Trump's declaration of a 'public safety emergency' in the district. While pay for most Guard troops is handled through their respective states, the D.C. National Guard falls directly under the president's command. Blumenthal in his letter noted that the National Guard involved in the effort are missing out on 'salaries, housing allowances and medical coverage' from their civilian jobs while performing their military duties. He argued that officials must ensure that none of the individuals involved face financial hardship because of the mobilization. Critics have called the decision to militarize the city unnecessary and deliberately provocative, noting that many troops are patrolling tourist areas with few crime problems. Hundreds of city residents protested the move over the weekend. However, White House officials contend that in the last week, law enforcement personnel have made more than 380 arrests (many for immigration violations) and seized 59 firearms. National Guard members are not directly making any arrests. Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
When Will Epstein Records Be Sent to House? Trump DOJ Provides an Update
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The House Oversight Committee announced Monday on X that the Department of Justice will send documents related to late convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein on Friday. The GOP Oversight account posted, "Chairman @RepJamesComer confirms DOJ will begin sending House Oversight documents related to Epstein on Friday: "Officials with the Department of Justice have informed us that the Department will begin to provide Epstein-related records to the Oversight Committee this week on Friday. There are many records in DOJ's custody, and it will take the Department time to produce all the records and ensure the identification of victims and any child sexual abuse material are redacted. I appreciate the Trump Administration's commitment to transparency and efforts to provide the American people with information about this matter." This is a breaking news article. Updates to follow.
