Pentagon Launches "War Force" Initiative to Recruit AI-Tech Talent
On June 30, 2026, the Pentagon and Office of Personnel Management launched "War Force," a recruitment initiative to hire hundreds of software engineers for two-year stints focused on AI, machine learning, and data systems. Operating under OPM’s broader Tech Force program, the effort supports the DoD’s AI Acceleration Strategy. Positions are primarily in Washington, D.C., requiring top-secret clearance. Applications close July 10. The initiative follows a prior cyber apprenticeship program that drew over 70,000 inquiries.
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Pentagon launches ‘War Force’ campaign to recruit software engineers amid workforce decline
The U.S. Department of Defense, in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management, has launched the 'War Force' campaign to recruit hundreds of software engineers for temporary assignments of up to two years. The initiative aims to address a nearly 11% decline in the DoD civilian workforce, which dropped from 778,188 employees in December 2024 to 695,248 in January 2026, including the loss of over 7,600 IT workers. The new hires, starting at the GS-14 pay grade with salaries from $125,776, will support the DoD's AI Acceleration Strategy and enterprise projects to maintain American military technological dominance. The campaign is part of the broader federal US Tech Force fellowship program, which seeks to hire over 1,000 people across government. Applications close July 17, 2026, with interviews beginning later that month.
Defense NewsPentagon launches ‘War Force’ campaign to recruit software engineers amid workforce decline
The U.S. Department of Defense, in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management, has launched the 'War Force' campaign to recruit hundreds of software engineers for temporary two-year assignments. The initiative aims to reverse a nearly 11% decline in the DoD civilian workforce, which dropped from 778,188 employees in December 2024 to 695,248 in January 2026, including the loss of over 7,600 IT workers. The new hires, called Forward Deployed Engineers, will start at the GS-14 pay grade ($125,776 annually) and support the DoD's AI Acceleration Strategy and enterprise projects. The campaign is part of the broader US Tech Force federal fellowship program, which seeks to hire over 1,000 people across government to implement AI tools and modernize technical infrastructure. Applications close July 17, 2026.
Military TimesPentagon Launches 'War Force' Campaign to Recruit Software Engineers
The U.S. Department of Defense, in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management, has launched the 'War Force' campaign to recruit hundreds of software engineers for temporary assignments of up to two years. The initiative aims to reverse a nearly 11% decline in the DoD civilian workforce, which dropped from 778,188 employees in December 2024 to 695,248 in January 2026, including the loss of over 7,600 IT workers. The new hires, starting at GS-14 pay grade with salaries from $125,776, will support the DoD's AI Acceleration Strategy and enterprise projects to maintain American military technological dominance. The campaign is part of the broader federal US Tech Force fellowship program, which seeks to hire over 1,000 people across government. Applications close July 17, 2026, with interviews expected in late July and August.
Defense NewsPentagon launches ‘War Force’ campaign in push for software engineers
The Pentagon, in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management, launched the 'War Force' campaign to recruit hundreds of software engineers for voluntary assignments, following a nearly 11% decline in its civilian workforce (from 778,188 in Dec 2024 to 695,248 in Jan 2026). The Defense Department lost 24,366 technical employees by end of fiscal 2025, including 7,600 IT workers. The initiative aims to attract 'exceptional software engineers' to support AI Acceleration Strategy and enterprise projects, ensuring 'American military technological dominance.' Hired as Forward Deployed Engineers at GS-14 pay grade ($125,776+ annually), positions are limited to two years. The campaign is part of the broader US Tech Force fellowship program, aiming to hire over 1,000 across federal government. Applications close midnight July 17, 2026, with interviews beginning in late July.
Defense NewsPentagon launches ‘War Force’ campaign to recruit software engineers amid workforce decline
The U.S. Department of Defense, in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management, has launched the 'War Force' campaign to recruit hundreds of software engineers for temporary two-year assignments. The initiative aims to reverse a nearly 11% decline in the DoD civilian workforce, which dropped from 778,188 employees in December 2024 to 695,248 in January 2026, including the loss of 24,366 technical employees. The new hires, called Forward Deployed Engineers, will start at the GS-14 pay grade with salaries beginning at $125,776 annually. The campaign supports the DoD's AI Acceleration Strategy and is part of the broader federal US Tech Force fellowship program, which seeks to hire over 1,000 people across government. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth previously ordered a civilian workforce realignment to eliminate bureaucratic redundancies through automation. Applications close July 17, 2026.
Military TimesPentagon launches 'War Force' campaign to recruit software engineers amid workforce decline
The U.S. Department of Defense, in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management, has launched the 'War Force' campaign to recruit hundreds of software engineers for temporary assignments of up to two years. The initiative aims to reverse a nearly 11% decline in the DoD civilian workforce, which dropped from 778,188 employees in December 2024 to 695,248 in January 2026, including the loss of over 7,600 IT workers. The new hires, starting at GS-14 pay grade ($125,776 annually), will support the DoD's AI Acceleration Strategy and enterprise projects to maintain American military technological dominance. The campaign is part of the broader US Tech Force fellowship program, which seeks to hire over 1,000 people across the federal government. Applications close July 17, 2026, with interviews beginning later that month.
Military TimesPentagon Launches 'War Force' Campaign to Recruit Tech Talent for AI Implementation
The Pentagon announced on June 30, 2026, a new campaign called 'War Force' to recruit hundreds of young programmers for two-year stints focused on AI implementation, machine learning, automation, and other critical IT needs. Announced by Defense Department CTO Emil Michael, successful applicants will work on the department's AI Acceleration Strategy. Most positions are in Washington, D.C., and require top-secret clearance. The program is part of a broader White House effort called 'Tech Force,' which aims to bring early-stage software talent into federal government. Recruits will receive leadership training, exposure to top tech CEOs, and access to policymaking and national-scale impact opportunities.
Defense One - All ContentPentagon Launches 'War Force' Campaign to Recruit Young Tech Talent for AI Implementation
The Pentagon announced a new recruitment campaign, dubbed 'War Force,' to hire hundreds of young programmers and engineers for two-year stints to implement the Department of Defense’s AI Acceleration Strategy and other critical IT needs. According to Pentagon CTO Emil Michael, the initiative is a call to action for patriotic, forward-deployed engineers. Successful applicants, listed in an OPM job posting for 'forward deployed engineer(s),' will be based primarily in Washington, D.C., and must be eligible for a top-secret clearance. The 'War Force' is part of a broader White House-led 'Tech Force' effort, in partnership with participating tech companies, to bring early-stage software talent into the federal government. Recruits will receive leadership training, exposure to top tech CEOs, and access to policymaking and national-scale impact opportunities, including coding certificates and networking events.
Defense One - All ContentPentagon Launches 'War Force' to Recruit Young Tech Talent for AI Implementation
The Pentagon announced a new campaign called 'War Force' to recruit hundreds of young programmers for two-year stints focused on AI and engineering challenges. The initiative, part of a broader White House-backed 'Tech Force' effort, aims to bring early-stage software talent into federal government. Successful applicants will work on implementing the department's AI Acceleration Strategy, machine learning, automation, and other critical IT needs. Most positions are based in Washington, D.C., and require top-secret clearance. Recruits will receive leadership training, exposure to top tech CEOs, and access to policymaking and national-scale impact opportunities. The program is designed to attract patriotic engineers who want to serve the country and the warfighter.
Defense One - All ContentPentagon launches 'War Force' initiative to onboard tech talent
The Office of Personnel Management and the Pentagon jointly announced the 'War Force' initiative on June 30, 2026, to recruit top software engineering talent into the Department of Defense. The program operates under OPM's larger Tech Force initiative, which launched in December 2025 to hire tech and cybersecurity professionals across federal agencies. War Force will focus on applicants with experience in AI, machine learning, automation, and data systems to support operational needs. Pentagon CTO Emil Michael stated the initiative supports the War Department's AI Acceleration Strategy. Applications are accepted through July 10. The announcement follows a DOD cyber apprenticeship program launched in April 2026, which has already generated over 70,000 inquiries.
Defense One - All ContentPentagon launches 'War Force' initiative to recruit tech talent
The Pentagon and Office of Personnel Management jointly announced the 'War Force' initiative to recruit top software engineering talent into the Department of Defense, operating under OPM's larger Tech Force program. The initiative targets applicants with experience in AI, machine learning, automation, and data systems. Defense officials said War Force will support the Pentagon's AI Acceleration Strategy. The recruitment drive follows a cyber apprenticeship program that generated over 70,000 inquiries. Applications are open through July 10.
Defense One - All ContentPentagon Launches 'War Force' Initiative to Onboard Tech Talent
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Pentagon jointly announced the launch of the 'War Force' initiative on June 30, 2026, aimed at recruiting top software engineering talent into the Department of Defense. This effort operates under OPM's larger Tech Force program, which began in December 2025 following Trump administration layoffs of tech workers and closure of innovation units. The initiative focuses on applicants experienced in deploying AI, machine learning, automation, and data systems. Applications are accepted through July 10. Pentagon CTO Emil Michael stated War Force will support the War Department's AI Acceleration Strategy. The announcement follows an earlier cyber apprenticeship program that has generated over 70,000 inquiries. The initiative's name reflects President Trump's executive order authorizing the 'War Department' secondary title for the DoD.
Defense One - All ContentPentagon Launches 'War Force' Initiative to Recruit Tech Talent for AI and Software Roles
The Pentagon, in partnership with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), announced the 'War Force' initiative on June 30, 2026, to recruit top software engineers and technologists into the Department of Defense. Operating under OPM's existing Tech Force program, the initiative focuses on hiring individuals with expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, and data systems to support operational needs. The effort aligns with President Trump's executive order restoring the 'War Department' secondary title and supports the department's AI Acceleration Strategy. Applications are open until July 10. The announcement follows the Tech Force program's slow start (onboarding only 10 of a planned 1,000 technologists) and a separate Pentagon cyber apprenticeship program that has already generated over 70,000 inquiries.
Government Executive - All ContentPentagon Launches 'War Force' Initiative to Recruit Tech Talent
The Pentagon and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) jointly announced the 'War Force' initiative on June 30, 2026, to recruit top software engineering talent for the Department of Defense. Operating under OPM's broader Tech Force program, the initiative focuses on applicants experienced in deploying advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, automation, and data systems to support operational needs. Applications will be accepted through July 10. The effort aligns with the War Department's AI Acceleration Strategy, released in January 2026, and follows a Trump administration executive order authorizing the 'War Department' secondary title. This initiative complements a previously announced cyber apprenticeship program, which had already generated over 70,000 inquiries before its July launch.
Government Executive - All ContentPentagon launches ‘War Force’ initiative to onboard tech talent
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Pentagon jointly announced the 'War Force' initiative on June 30, 2026, to recruit top software engineering talent into the Department of Defense. Operating under OPM's Tech Force program, War Force focuses on hiring applicants experienced in frontier AI, machine learning, automation, and data systems to support operational needs. The initiative follows President Trump's 2025 executive order authorizing the 'War Department' secondary title and aligns with the department's AI Acceleration Strategy. Applications are accepted through July 10. The effort also follows the Pentagon's April announcement of a cyber apprenticeship program, which has already generated over 70,000 inquiries ahead of its July launch.
Government Executive - All Content