DOD leaders have begun laying off civilian employees they do not believe are “mission-critical.” Among the offices where employees have been cut so far are the Defense Health Agency, the Defense Logistics Agency, the Navy and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Military.com reported.

The Pentagon did not provide numbers of how many people have gotten pink slips, but it’s likely a small sliver of the 5,400 DOD said it will cut after DOGE began reviewing its operations for ways to save money.

Some military advocates say the cuts across the government will disproportionately hit military spouses and veterans.

“It has become clearer that the veteran community has been hit hard as probationary federal jobs are being axed across the country,” VFW National Commander Al Lipphardt said. “These are employees who have been serving the American people for years, in uniform and in civil service, and at least some of whom have been or are being caught by a formality in administrative statuses.”

DOD photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Kubitza