This month, President Donald Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that U.S. military service members would receive a “Warrior Dividend” of $1,776 to thank them for their service and commemorate the 250 years the U.S. military has defended the nation. U.S. Coast Guard members will also receive a comparable one-time “Devotion of Duty” payment.
Uniformed service members in pay grades of 0-6 and below and on active duty, as well as certain reserve service members, are eligible for the warrior dividend. However, bonuses will not be available to general or flag officers.
That has raised questions about what it also meant for civilian workers. According to a December 15 memo, the Pentagon’s civilian workforce could receive an even larger bonus than those in uniform.
“In addition to the ongoing efforts across the Department to develop plans of action to retain, reward, and recognize our outstanding civilian employees, I hereby direct all DoW Component heads and Principal Staff Assistants (PSAs) of the Office of the Secretary of War to take immediate action to recognize and reward our very best civilians with meaningful monetary awards consistent with the relevant existing civilian awards authorities for each pay system (Senior Executive Service, Senior Professional, General Schedule, Federal Wage System, alternative personnel systems, etc.) included in Department of Defense Instruction 1400.25, Volume 451, ‘DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Awards.’ This initiative is independent of any awards previously executed,” Hegseth wrote.
A Lot More Than $1,776
The memorandum authorized “high-performing civilian employees” to receive bonuses of up to $25,000, but there is a catch. Only a fraction of the workforce will receive the bonus.
“To best recognize our civilian workforce, monetary awards of 15 to 25% of basic pay, up to $25,000, are authorized for the top 15% of performers,” the memo explained.
“The uncertainty and adversity inherent in all periods of change can test even the most elite workforce,” the document stated. “Further, the longest government shutdown in American history imposed severe strain on our civilian workforce. The resilience our civilian teammates have demonstrated throughout this challenging time is an inspiration and deserves to be recognized.”
The bonuses are to be “effectuated” by January 30, 2026.
A Smaller Workforce
The bonuses also come as the Department has scaled back its civilian workforce following significant restructuring that included voluntary buyouts, early retirements, and cuts to specific programs, with more than 60,000 civilians leaving or facing termination as part of efforts to reduce overhead. Under Hegseth, there has been an emphasis on a “warfighting ethos,” which has led to the cutting of programs deemed “non-essential,” such as DEI initiatives.
Hiring freezes and ongoing reductions continue.
Between 770,000 and 950,000 civilians work for the DoD globally, and it remains one of the federal government’s largest agencies, with roles spanning IT and engineering, healthcare, and administration.
The bonuses are intended to reward those deemed “truly exceptional” or “high-rated,” with the remainder of civilian employees receiving a standard reward, if any.
