The DoD briefing paper summarizes what can and can’t change under the national security personnel system. What can be changed includes: staffing, including hiring, assignment, advancement, removal and reduction in force, job classification, pay, performance management, labor-management relations, and discipline, adverse actions and appeals. What cannot be changed includes: merit systems principles, rules against prohibited personnel practices such as political favoritism and nepotism, anti-discrimination laws, leave and attendance and travel and subsistence policies, pay for political executives or firefighters, training, health insurance and retirement benefits, and safety and drug abuse programs.