Pentagon oversight office lost more than half its staff in 2025 reorganization

The Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation lost more than half its authorized civilian positions during a 2025 reorganization ordered by the defense secretary. The office now oversees 173 programs, down from 265 the year before, according to a Government Accountability Office report released June 30.

The cuts reduced the office from 126 authorized positions to 30 and eliminated all but one senior executive service position. Contractor support ended within seven days of the May 2025 directive. The office later recovered to 45 positions by September 2025.

Reduced testing capacity The office received $10.6 million in fiscal 2024 to expand oversight of middle-tier acquisition programs. As of February 2026 it covered 15 of roughly 110 such efforts. Action officers told GAO reviewers that remaining staff now manage programs outside their areas of expertise.

The reorganization eliminated two warfare-area directorates and created two new units focused on cyber and space. Deputy director positions previously held by senior executives were reassigned to non-supervisory GS-15 staff.

Congressional reporting delay The office has not submitted a required report to congressional defense committees on how the changes affected testing activities. The report was due within 60 days of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026. GAO raised questions for lawmakers about whether middle-tier programs should fall under the office's statutory authority and whether deputy positions should carry senior executive rank.