As part of the Department's commitment to rebuild our military, ensure lethality, and reestablish deterrence while advancing broader efficiency initiatives, the Secretary of Defense has directed a restructuring of the Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E). This decision eliminates redundancy in the defense acquisition system, returns DOT&E to its statutory intent as an oversight body, and empowers the Services and Combatant Commands with greater trust to ensure the warfighter is efficiently equipped to address emerging challenges and to preserve our decisive advantage.
Thirty DOT&E personnel will be retained, civilian personnel employed by Military Departments at ODOT&E will be transferred back to those Military Departments and other civilians will receive a Specific Notice of reduction-in-force. The Department remains committed to continued reform and reducing bureaucracy.
The memo can be found at: https://media.defense.gov/2025/May/28/2003725153/-1/-1/1/MEMORANDUM-DIRECTING-REORGANIZATION-OF-THE-OFFICE-OF-THE-DIRECTOR-OF-OPERATIONAL-TEST-AND-EVALUATION.PDF