Memo lays out path to removing even more defense civilians from their jobs

The Defense Department is making another push to slim its civilian workforce, this time by directing managers to fire employees for “unacceptable performance” while continuing to encourage civilians to leave voluntarily.

A 20-page memo signed by the Pentagon’s personnel boss late last month lays out several mechanisms for civilian employees to resign or be removed for cause, beyond the 60,000-plus employees who have already voluntarily bowed out this year through either the Deferred Resignation Program or Voluntary Early Retirement Authority.

It also gives employees, half of whom are furloughed during the government’s shutdown, just seven days to respond to a proposed removal for poor performance. And if local managers do not sign off on the removals within 30 days, they must forward