The Pentagon plans to identify and fire civilian workers it believes are underperforming, The Hill reported.  

“Supervisors and human resources (HR) professionals are directed to act with speed and conviction to facilitate the separation from Federal service of employees performing unsuccessfully,” Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Anthony Tata wrote in a Sept. 30 memo, which was made public this week. “Heads of DoW Components must hold managers at all levels accountable for addressing poor employee performance.” 

The memo relaxes some protections for civilian workers. 

There are almost 700,000 civilians working in the military, and about half have been furloughed since the government shutdown began Oct. 1. 

DOD photo by Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aiko Bongolan