Saturday, May 24, 2025
Saturday, May 24, 2025
The Air Force has begun implementing a deferred resignation program for its civilian workforce in accordance with directives from the Office of Personnel Management, the service announced over the weekend.
On Feb. 28, the Air Force began sending email notifications to employees who applied for the DRP program, which has been offered to civilian workers across the federal government by the Trump administration as part of its effort to shrink the federal workforce.
“This voluntary program requires a formal separation agreement between the employee and the [Department of the Air Force], providing a financially supported pathway for eligible employees leaving federal service while enabling the Department of Defense to proactively reshape its workforce,” the announcement states.
The Navy also started implementing a deferred resignation program last week in accordance with OPM, a service spokesperson told Inside Defense. The Army has not yet responded to questions on the subject.
Once approved, participants in the Air Force’s version of the program will receive paid administrative leave until Sept. 30, 2025. During this time, they will “generally not [be] expected to work and are exempt from in-person requirements,” according to an Air Force memo signed by acting Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Gwendolyn DeFilippi.
The program is open to full-time Defense Department employees who “may be eligible for resignation, early retirement or that have a retirement date between now and December 31, 2025,” the memo continues.
However, there are exemptions to the offer for civilian flight instructors, cyber positions within the force renewal program, working capital fund personnel and foreign military sales personnel, the memo states.
The initial wave of emails is meant to inform applicants of the status of their application and their eligibility. The first wave of emails will be sent to “non-bargaining employees.” Union members will be notified later after “collective bargaining units receive official notice,” the announcement states.