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1 1 (March 12, 2019)

handle is hein.crs/govyff0001 and id is 1 raw text is: CongrressionaisR sarcSeve 0 March 12, 2019 Defense Primer: DOD Appropriated Fund Civilians Background and History The Department of Defense (DOD) workforce consists of military personnel, civilian employees, and contractors. A DOD civilian does not serve in the military but is instead appointed to the federal civil service. DOD civilians work for the military departments (i.e., Army, Navy, and Air Force) as well as other defense agencies and field activities (e.g., Defense Health Agency). Federal civilians have supported the armed forces as far back as the American Revolution. For example, in World War II, civilians provided medical and logistics support to military personnel. The DOD civilian workforce has evolved over time to meet the growing needs of the department and the changing landscape of national defense. Appropriated fund white-collar employees comprise a large portion of the DOD civilian workforce. They are distinct from other categories of DOD civilians, such as nonappropriated fund civilians and those covered by the Federal Wage System (e.g., blue-collar employees). Roles and Responsibilities DOD civilians contribute to the defense and protection of the nation. They provide direct and indirect support to the warfighter across numerous disciplines, such as engineering, supply management, information technology, cybersecurity, intelligence, financial management, and law. For example, some civilians directly support military operations by training, advising, and assisting military personnel from other nations to build defense capacity in areas such as ground logistics, cybersecurity, and combat readiness. Other civilians help procure, build, test, or maintain major weapons systems used by military personnel in operations. Workforce Statistics DOD employs one of the largest civilian workforces in the federal government. As shown in Figure 1, DOD employed 744,005 appropriated fund civilians as of December 31, 2018. The Army housed the largest portion (33%) of all appropriated fund civilians, whereas the Marine Corps housed the smallest portion (2%). Distinguishing Characteristics In many cases, DOD civilians possess the same or similar characteristics as other federal employees. In some cases, however, DOD civilians possess characteristics that distinguish them from certain federal civilians and military personnel. Examples are described below. Figure I. DOD Civilian and Active Duty Personnel As of December 31, 2018 800,0 E Active Duty 7, C0DOD Civilian 600, OO-D and, fiel Corps 40000 200 D lOjn - Army Navy Air Force Dgefes Marine and field Corps activities Source: CRS analysis of Defense Manpower Data Center data. Notes: The figure depicts permanent, appropriated fund civilians (which may include blue-collar employees paid under the Federal Wage System). It does not include nonappropriated fund civilians, U.S. Coast Guard employees, reserve components, or contractors. They can provide continuity. Civilians provide continuity within DOD, which may be unique at the department due to the rotational nature of military personnel assignments. Many civilians remain in the same positions and duty locations for their entire careers, which enables them to build and retain institutional knowledge of programs and operations that are critical to the success of DOD's mission. Military personnel, by contrast, often rotate to different duty locations every few years throughout their careers and possibly to different positions within their respective career fields. They can deploy. Some DOD civilians deploy-either voluntarily or as a condition of their employment-to overseas locations such as Iraq or Afghanistan. They work alongside deployed military personnel to ensure the success of combat, post-combat, or humanitarian operations. They have longer probationary periods. Many DOD civilians must complete a probationary period of at least two years, compared to a one-year period for other permanent civilian employees in the competitive service. For example, DOD cybersecurity positions operating under Title 10, Section 1599f, of the United States Code require a three-year probationary period. They must obtain DOD-specific certifications. In some cases, statutes require DOD civilians in certain career fields to meet special, DOD-specific credentialing and certification standards. For example, pursuant to Title 10, Section 1599d, of the United States Code, DOD financial https://crsreports.congress.gov

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