U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tullis Moore, cyber operator with 175th Cyber Operations, Maryland Air National Guard, monitors cyber attacks during Exercise Southern Strike at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, April 21, 2023. Southern Strike 2023 is a large-scale, joint multinational combat exercise hosted by the Mississippi National Guard that provides tactical level training for the full spectrum of conflict. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Image: Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Renee Seruntine
By: FEDweek StaffThe Defense Department has released an implementation plan for an initiative to boost recruitment and retention of its civilian cyber workforce, along with their uniformed military counterparts.
The plan seeks to cut the vacancy rate in cyber positions in half to less than 15 percent within four years through steps on the front end including reducing time-to-hire to 60 days on average; offering a full-time job to all who satisfactorily complete a student cyber workforce development program; and programs for uniformed personnel with those skills to transition into civilian DoD employment when leaving the military.
It also seeks to reduce attrition to 10 percent or less and “incentivize the best and the brightest of the cyber workforce and improve talent retention through workforce development programs” and use of “incentives and pay flexibilities.”
Further, “Talent exchanges and rotations provide a unique opportunity for DoD civilian cyber employees to learn from other components or private sector organizations. However, exchange and rotation programs are often under-utilized, and steps should therefore be taken to expand their use to create positive impacts and the individual and organizational level.”
Also, it commits to a study of the impact on cyber employees of increased offsite work due to the pandemic, to “identify opportunities to increase flexible work arrangements, when possible, without compromising mission success.”
Key Bills Advancing, but No Path to Avoid Shutdown Apparent
TSP Adds Detail to Upcoming Roth Conversion Feature
White House to Issue Rules on RIF, Disciplinary Policy Changes
DoD Announces Civilian Volunteer Detail in Support of Immigration Enforcement
See also,
How Do Age and Years of Service Impact My Federal Retirement
The Best Ages for Federal Employees to Retire
How to Challenge a Federal Reduction in Force (RIF) in 2025
Should I be Shooting for a $1M TSP Balance? Depends…
