Caitlyn Burchett

Caitlyn Burchett covers defense news at the Pentagon. Before joining Stars and Stripes, she was the military reporter for The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va. She is based in Washington, D.C.

@CaitlynBurchett

burchett.caitlyn@stripes.com

Experts, civilian workers in the reserves and embassy staff not eligible for DOD’s deferred resignation program

The “rare exemptions” were outlined in a memorandum issued Tuesday that detailed the reopening of the Defense Department’s deferred resignation program as the Pentagon works to trim the civilian workforce by about 60,000 people.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) (front) and USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) (back) escort the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), during an integrated phase training event, March 23, 2025. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is underway in the Atlantic Ocean completing integrated naval warfighting training. Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) is the Joint Force’s most complex integrated training event and prepares naval task forces for sustained high-end Joint and combined combat. Integrated naval training provides America’s civilian leaders and commanders highly-capable forces that deter adversaries, underpin American security and economic prosperity, and reassure Allies and partners.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maxwell Orlosky)

Ford carrier group equipped with new anti-drone weapons for possible Mideast deployment

A black-and-white image of Marines raising a U.S. flag with the words “Honor, Courage, Commitment” in large letters behind it.

DOD webpages celebrating legendary minority troops to be restored after being scrubbed from sites

21,000 DOD workers approved for deferred resignations as part of up to 60,000 jobs to be slashed, defense official says

250313-N-SW048-1189 U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (March 13, 2025) A U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Aircraft Handling) directs an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, to an aircraft catapult on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

US strikes Houthis for third day, Pentagon says attacks will continue until targeting of Red Sea ships stops

U.S. Central Command on Saturday began attacking Houthi targets with more than 30 targets struck, according to Air Force Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, director of operations for the Joint Staff. The barrage of strikes in Yemen are ongoing.

Sailors, seen from above and behind, man the rails on a U.S. Navy destroyer as it travels down a river.

Navy destroyer deploys to southern border mission to deter illegal crossings, drug trafficking

The USS Gravely has deployed to the Gulf of America on a mission usually reserved for the U.S. Coast Guard to help deter illegal crossings and drug trafficking as part the military’s efforts to bolster security along the southern border.

KITTERY, Maine (Sep 27, 2024) USS Washington (SSN 787) arrives at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for a scheduled maintenance availability. (U.S. Navy photo by Branden Bourque/released)

Navy says shipyards are exempt from DOD’s probationary purge, though 10 workers were fired this week

All 10 of those fired from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine were entry-level probationary workers, though a local union leader said he expects at least six to be reinstated following a Thursday ruling from a federal judge.

Pete Hegseth gestures with both arms extended while speaking into a microphone.

Navy offers voluntary honorable discharges to transgender troops

The Navy is offering voluntary honorable discharges to transgender sailors and Marines who self-identify by March 28 or risk being involuntarily separated, according to a memo released Thursday.

Several men in hard hats walk around the large propeller of an aircraft carrier as it sits in dry dock.

Trump’s focus on Navy shipbuilding needed but not enough, defense analyst says

The creation of the White House’s shipbuilding office could help get Navy shipbuilding on track, but the U.S. won’t catch up to China dominating the industry without a multidecade whole-of-government and commercial sector approach, according to a defense analyst.

A group of people, some in uniform, stand underneath a temporary construction.

Probationary workers from Navy, defense health and logistics agencies first to be cut amid DOD layoffs

The Navy, the Defense Health Agency and the Defense Logistics Agency confirmed civilian job terminations are underway at those organizations. The firings are part of a Defense Department-wide effort to reduce the civilian workforce by up to 8%, beginning with 5,400 probationary workers.

Firing of civilian workers has begun at the Defense Department

Workers fired Monday were “the first step” in the Defense Department’s effort to “appropriately align its personnel resources with its critical warfighting functions,” read the March 3 memo signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Saudi Arabia Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud participate in a bilateral exchange at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Feb. 24, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Pentagon denies halting cybersecurity operations against Russia

The denial came after reports claimed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stand down from all planning against Russia, including offensive digital actions.

Defense Health Agency director suddenly retires, acting leader appointed

Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland vacated her post, which she held for slightly more than two years. Dr. David Smith, the acting principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, was appointed as the acting director.

Sailors of the USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) stand at attention as they bring the ship to life during the ship’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Florida Sept. 7, 2024. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom)

‘Tradition isn’t working’: Navy’s ineffective management adds to construction delays of new ships

A new watchdog report made six recommendations to the U.S. Navy and the Defense Department that include improving visibility across investments and creating an industrial base strategy. It was released as John Phelan, the nominee to be the next Navy secretary, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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