DOGE's aggressive downsizing of the government has significantly impacted a critical Pentagon unit, leaving its operations severely disrupted.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) began its mission nearly a year ago to gut the federal workforce through unilaterally shuttering programs, pushing out personnel, and terminating contracts. This effort, which leaned on the Office of Personnel Management’s "Deferred Resignation Program," aimed to downsize the government by offering almost 2 million federal employees the option of entering administrative leave rather than working under the second Trump administration.
Despite claims from DOGE defenders that the project was solely focused on rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse, recent contracting memos from the Defense Information Systems Agency reveal that its tactics caused significant problems at the Pentagon's IT office — a core unit essential to the U.S. military's operations.
The DISA's Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Enterprise Directorate (J6) was particularly hard hit by DOGE cuts, with the unit unable to obtain necessary software due to staff departures. J6 is responsible for maintaining secure channels that connect the Pentagon to military assets around the world, including nuclear capabilities.
According to a DISA memo, the agency's programs office has been "unexpectedly and significantly impacted" by government initiatives incentivizing personnel separation or extended periods of leave. This resulted in an officer who handled a key Pentagon cloud-computing contract departing, leading to that contract expiring entirely. The staffing shortage exposed DISA's systems to extreme risk for loss of service across the Department of Defense.
The impact of DOGE's downsizing is not limited to IT; other areas, such as Fort Greely in Alaska and West Point, New York, are also struggling due to personnel losses and a federal hiring freeze. An official at a U.S. Army Mission Installation Contracting Command conference acknowledged that the unit had been "cut significantly" due to DOGE's program.
Despite these challenges, The Intercept remains committed to fighting against authoritarianism and protecting democracy. To do so effectively, it needs the support of its members.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) began its mission nearly a year ago to gut the federal workforce through unilaterally shuttering programs, pushing out personnel, and terminating contracts. This effort, which leaned on the Office of Personnel Management’s "Deferred Resignation Program," aimed to downsize the government by offering almost 2 million federal employees the option of entering administrative leave rather than working under the second Trump administration.
Despite claims from DOGE defenders that the project was solely focused on rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse, recent contracting memos from the Defense Information Systems Agency reveal that its tactics caused significant problems at the Pentagon's IT office — a core unit essential to the U.S. military's operations.
The DISA's Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Enterprise Directorate (J6) was particularly hard hit by DOGE cuts, with the unit unable to obtain necessary software due to staff departures. J6 is responsible for maintaining secure channels that connect the Pentagon to military assets around the world, including nuclear capabilities.
According to a DISA memo, the agency's programs office has been "unexpectedly and significantly impacted" by government initiatives incentivizing personnel separation or extended periods of leave. This resulted in an officer who handled a key Pentagon cloud-computing contract departing, leading to that contract expiring entirely. The staffing shortage exposed DISA's systems to extreme risk for loss of service across the Department of Defense.
The impact of DOGE's downsizing is not limited to IT; other areas, such as Fort Greely in Alaska and West Point, New York, are also struggling due to personnel losses and a federal hiring freeze. An official at a U.S. Army Mission Installation Contracting Command conference acknowledged that the unit had been "cut significantly" due to DOGE's program.
Despite these challenges, The Intercept remains committed to fighting against authoritarianism and protecting democracy. To do so effectively, it needs the support of its members.
like Elon Musk thinks he can just swoop in and dismantle an entire critical unit at the Pentagon without thinking about the consequences? Newsflash, dude: the military isn't a startup you can scale back on demand 
. And what's with all these "efficiency" measures that are really just euphemisms for slashing budgets and gutting essential services? 
it's like he's playing some kinda real-life video game where you have to eliminate entire departments to win the game... but in reality, you're putting national security at risk 
.
. And it's not just IT, this is happening in other areas too... Fort Greely in Alaska and West Point are struggling with personnel losses and a hiring freeze 
... if Elon Musk's DOGE is messing with the Pentagon's IT unit, that means our military is at risk 
. I don't think it's a coincidence that they lost an officer who handled a key contract... what if their systems are vulnerable now? 
It's one thing to cut costs, but this is national security we're talking about 
.
It's not just about the tech, it's about security and critical communications with our military assets around the world 
️. I'm all for efficiency and streamlining, but at what cost? 
Can't we find a balance between downsizing and making sure our most critical systems are still running smoothly? 
they cant even get software updates on time 
and they're blaming DOGE? that's not a conspiracy theory, thats just basic common sense 
it looks like DOGE did what any other gov't agency would've done in their position 
maybe its time to rethink the whole idea of government efficiency 
. I mean, who knew Elon Musk's government efficiency plan was actually just a thinly veiled attempt to screw over the Pentagon and the country 
. And now we're left with a critical unit responsible for maintaining secure channels being severely disrupted because of it 
. What's next, a complete overhaul of the entire government? 
.
. And let's be real, we don't want our national security vulnerabilities exposed because some suits decided to slash costs 
...
elon musks department of gov efficiency has literally ruined this critical pentagon unit 
the disa j6 unit which is like super important for national security is now struggling to get software because they lost all their staff 
meanwhile fort greely in alaska and west point are also getting hit hard due to personnel losses and hiring freezes 
I'm literally shaking right now about what's going down with DOGE 
, but this is some next-level stuff 
. Can't believe they're messing with the Pentagon like that 
. This whole thing has me feeling super uneasy 
I mean, who needs a functioning Pentagon when you've got Elon Musk running around? Sounds like DOGE's "efficiency" project was more about cutting costs than actually making things run smoother. A few million folks lost their jobs and now the IT department is basically winging it? 
No wonder they can't get software... guess that's what happens when you try to cut corners. And let's not forget Fort Greely in Alaska, where I'm sure the breathtaking views of nothingness are just what our military needs right about now 
. Anyway, thanks for keeping us informed, I guess? 
. We should be paying more attention to what's going down in the Pentagon, for real though 
. And now we're hearing that the Pentagon unit responsible for keeping our nuclear capabilities secure is struggling because of it 
. plus, what about all these ppl who lost their jobs or have to take extended leave? that's gotta be tough on families 
. gotta wonder if elon's vision is really worth the risks 
. It's like they took all the old saying "don't fix what ain't broke" and made it their motto 
, but can we please get some actual solutions instead of just pointing out the problems? 
. The Pentagon's IT office is like the backbone of our military's operations – without it, our security is compromised 
.