Pentagon Exempts Military Child Care, Schools from Hiring Freeze

To ensure that military families continue to get support, the Pentagon has certified that Department of Defense (DOD) schools and military childcare facilities are not affected by the recent civilian hiring embargo. Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Professionals and Readiness, Jules W. Hurst III issued a memo on March 12 outlining the policy, protecting vital safety, life, and fire professionals from layoffs.

The Trump administration's hiring freeze, which was a component of a cost-cutting measure, sparked worries about military post-staffing shortages. Nonetheless, the DOD memo lists 18 exemption categories for shipyard workers, immigration enforcement positions, medical professionals, and military recruitment staff.

Although jobs at DOD schools are excluded, it's not clear if this exemption applies to anyone other than teachers and facility support personnel. Furthermore, the document does not indicate if commissaries will be granted exemption status.

The military has been working for years to increase the availability of child care and raise pay and benefits in an effort to recruit more personnel. The Pentagon's exemption addresses the persistent lack of child care for military families by allowing child and youth programs to keep hiring.

The freeze does not apply to other roles paid with non-appropriated monies, such as base exchanges and morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) programs.

By safeguarding these vital positions, the DOD hopes to preserve military personnel's quality-of-life initiatives while implementing more extensive hiring regulations.

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