Last Friday, the Department of the Air Force announced it had begun to implement the Deferred Resignation Program (DRP). It issued notifications to employees on the status of their program application, via automated emails, based on command validation of exempt or ineligible employees.
According to the DAF, the email rollout had started with “non-bargaining employees,” while notifications for bargaining employees would follow after collective bargaining units received their official notice.
“Approved DRP participants can enter a transition period, receiving paid administrative leave until Sept. 30, 2025, during which they are generally not expected to work and are exempt from in-person requirements. This voluntary program requires a formal separation agreement between the employee and the DAF, providing a financially supported pathway for eligible employees leaving federal service while enabling the Department of Defense to proactively reshape its workforce,” the DAF announced via a statement on Saturday.
Forks in the Road Follow-up
The February 26, memorandum on the DRP follows the January 28 Office of Personnel Management (OPM) “Fork in the Road/Deferred Resignation,” which offered federal workers the opportunity to resign from their current positions or face possible future termination. It was intended as a “voluntary program” to allow eligible employees a transition period – through September 30 – during which time they “generally” would not be expected to work, and would be largely exempt from in-person work requirements.
A judge temporarily paused the program last month, and directed OPM not to enforce the deadline until it rules on the legal issues. Several legal questions have remained, including whether the federal government even has the money to follow through in paying employees through September. Some lawmakers have warned that workers who accept it might not be paid as promised.
It has also been noted that federal employees who opted to stay could still face layoffs, return to the office mandates, and even “significant reforms within their department.
“The program is open to full-time DoD employees, who may be eligible for resignation, early retirement or that have a retirement date between now and December 31, 2025,” wrote Gwendolyn R. DeFilippi, acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve affairs in the memorandum. “Employees who accept the deferred resignation offer, and who are approved for DRP, will be placed on paid administrative leave pursuant to a written agreement between the employee and the DAF.”
Numerous Exemptions
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has approved a number of DAF requested exemptions – notably of positions that would be vital to the DAF’s operations.
These include Civilian Flight Instructors (aircraft and simulators); DAF Force Renewal Program (cyber positions only); Working Capital Fund; and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) personnel. In addition, the memorandum noted that the SecDef approved categorical exemptions for all Non-Appropriated Fund employee and Dual Status Technicians.
“Ineligible employees include reemployed annuitants and part time employees. Exempted employees will not have their DRP application approved,” the memo added.
The department explained that it would absorb a billet reduction beginning in fiscal year 2026 (FY26) for the DAF-specific exemption categories but “will not lose billets for the SecDef categorical exemptions or ineligible employees.”
Further Guidance Coming
There almost certainly remain additional unanswered questions, and the DAF directed Major Commands (MAJCOMs), Field Commands (FLDCOMs), Field Operating Agencies (FOAs), and Direct Reporting Units (DRUs) to ensure that all applicable labor relations obligations are met in the implementation of the memorandum consistent with reference.
“Additional guidance will be issued by AF/A1C, Civilian Force Management, DCS, Manpower, Personnel and Services,” the memorandum concluded.
