Report: Civilians Could Replace Uniformed Troops in Some Jobs

Civilians could perform some jobs now held by military personnel, thus saving money for the government, according to a July 3 Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report. “If all services use the same mix of the service branch with the smallest percentage of military personnel, about 80,000 active-duty positions could be available for transfer,” CBO stated. Civilians would bring greater stability and familiarity with technological advances to these jobs as well, according to CBO. Service members, in contrast, would require additional training. However, the report stated that such shifts could not happen unless end military strength was reduced. This, in turn, would impinge upon the Defense Department’s ability to mobilize more troops in the event of a military necessity, such as a “protracted conflict.”