# Department of War Implements Employee Removal Policy

The Department of War (DoW) has issued a detailed memorandum directing supervisors and human resources professionals to accelerate the removal of employees with unacceptable performance, providing a two-year exception to existing DoD civilian personnel policies. This policy introduces structured procedures for removal actions, including timelines for notice, response, and decisions, and expands separation options with Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP), Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA), and a Deferred Resignation Program (DRP). Oversight will be provided by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness (OUSW(P&R)) to ensure consistent application and identify training needs. Legal and procedural safeguards are emphasized to maintain fairness and compliance across all DoW components.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement and HR professionals within DoW and related contractors should anticipate changes in workforce management practices that may affect staffing, contract labor needs, and human capital planning.
- The policy's expanded separation tools may create opportunities for vendors specializing in workforce transition services, outplacement, and HR consulting.
- Agencies and contractors must ensure compliance with the new removal procedures and timelines to avoid legal challenges and maintain operational efficiency.
- Organizations supporting DoW should coordinate with designated contacts, including OUSW(P&R) and legal counsel, to align with the updated personnel policies and separation programs.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 15, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of War (DoW)
- Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness (OUSW(P&R))
- Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Civilian Personnel Policy (DASW(CPP))
- Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB)
- Office of Special Counsel (OSC)

### Key Quotes
> The Office of the Under Secretary of War for Personnel and Readiness (OUSW(P&R)) will support DoW Components by providing review for certain cases and assessing potential supervisor and/or HR training needs.
> — Original poster

### Sources
- [Individual Vera](https://www.reddit.com/r/FedEmployees/comments/1wh84ce/individual_vera) - reddit-fedemployees