In a sweeping move that underscores the Pentagon’s evolving “America First” defense strategy, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a dramatic restructuring of the Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation (ODOT&E).

The shakeup includes slashing the office’s workforce by more than half and installing a new interim director to lead the transition.

The changes, outlined in a memo released publicly today, reflect what Hegseth calls a push for greater “operational agility” and “resource efficiency” within the Department of War.

The Pentagon’s internal review, Hegseth stated, revealed that “redundant, non-essential, non-statutory functions within ODOT&E... do not support operational agility or resource efficiency, affecting our ability to rapidly and effectively deploy the best systems to the warfighter.”

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As part of the restructuring, the staff will be reduced to 30 civilian employees, 15 military personnel, and one senior leader. Before the reorganization, ODOT&E employed 94 people — 82 civilians and 12 military members.

The reduction represents more than a 50% cut and is expected to save over $300 million annually, according to a defense official.

The Office of Operational Test and Evaluation plays a vital role in validating new weapons and military platforms for the Department of War.

While each service branch maintains its own testing teams, ODOT&E provides top-level policy, oversight, and support for major defense acquisition programs.

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It also advises the Joint Requirements Oversight Council and publishes detailed annual reports on the readiness and performance of high-profile weapons systems, such as the F-35 fighter jet, the Navy’s Columbia-class submarine, and the Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) issued a stern rebuke of the decision, calling it a threat to both servicemember safety and national security.

“How is it ‘efficient’ to gut the office responsible for testing our equipment and making sure it’s safe for servicemembers to use?” Warren said. “This dangerous decision should be immediately reversed.”

The internal memo outlines that civilian cuts will come through a “targeted, deliberate and expeditious” Reduction in Force (RIF), with notices expected to be distributed as early as next week.

Those affected will be placed on administrative leave, and all members of the Senior Executive Service currently serving in the office will also be put on leave.

Employees assigned to ODOT&E but employed by one of the military branches will be transferred back to their respective services, ensuring that institutional knowledge is retained elsewhere in the defense ecosystem.

In addition to the personnel changes, Hegseth has ordered the immediate termination of all contractor support within seven days of the memo’s release.

The only exception will be after a 60-day adjustment period, during which ODOT&E may request contractor support, subject to review by the Deputy Secretary of War.

“If ODOT&E decides it needs to support contractor personnel after adjusting to its base statutory mission set,” the memo explains, “ODOT&E may request such contract support with Deputy Secretary of War review after an initial 60-day acclimation period.”

To lead the reorganized office, Hegseth has tapped Carroll Quade, currently the Navy’s Deputy for Test and Evaluation, to serve as interim director effective immediately. Quade replaces Raymond O’Toole, who has served multiple terms as acting director since January.

“Mr. Quade will assume all duties of the Director, overseeing the transition and ensuring ODOT&E’s statutory requirements remain effective and in compliance with statute,” the memo states.

The changes mark one of the most significant reorganizations of the Pentagon’s test and evaluation infrastructure in recent decades.

While supporters argue that the move streamlines bureaucracy and realigns the department with operational priorities, critics warn that undermining independent testing could erode the integrity and safety of future military systems.

As the Pentagon begins implementing the memo’s directives, the defense community will be watching closely to see how the restructured ODOT&E balances its trimmed-down footprint with its critical oversight mission.

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