Federal Job Cuts Deal Harsh Blow to U.S. Veterans and Their Families

Recent federal workforce reductions are hitting America’s veterans hard—both as employees and recipients of critical government services. As the federal government slashes jobs in a sweeping cost-cutting campaign led by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), veterans are facing disproportionate consequences.

Veterans make up nearly 30% of the federal workforce—more than 660,000 individuals—making them uniquely vulnerable to these cuts. A leaked memo from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) revealed plans to eliminate up to 83,000 positions in 2025. Already, over 2,400 VA employees were laid off in February alone. In total, estimates suggest roughly 6,000 veterans had lost their federal jobs by late February.

This wave of job loss has created a dual crisis: not only are veterans losing stable employment, but many are also watching their access to essential services deteriorate. Federal jobs are often chosen by veterans for their stability, transferability, and alignment with military lifestyles. With veteran families frequently moving due to military obligations, federal employment has long served as a financial lifeline.

The effects are being felt across the country. In North Carolina, layoffs at the Durham and Fayetteville VA hospitals are threatening healthcare access for a large veteran population, while Fort Bragg braces for potential cuts to its 14,000 civilian defense jobs. Alaska, with one of the highest per-capita federal workforces, is preparing for major economic fallout. Virginia, home to over 234,000 federal workers, is seeing widespread layoffs ripple through the Pentagon and major federal agencies. In Pennsylvania and Kansas, regional VA systems and major federal hubs like Kansas City are also experiencing staff reductions.

Veteran support organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, warn that these aren’t new hires being dismissed—they’re experienced public servants who have already served in uniform. Military spouses, already facing high unemployment rates, are also losing critical jobs, further destabilizing household income.

As job losses mount and VA services shrink, America’s veterans find themselves on the front lines of a new battle—one for economic survival and access to the benefits they’ve earned through service.