A Department of Defense spokesperson disputed the reports, accusing research firms of “cherry-picking” data and attempting to smear the Trump administration.

All branches of the United States Armed Forces met their fiscal year 2025 (FY25) recruiting goals, and the Pentagon, under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, has credited it to a renewed focus on a warrior ethos. However, the services had previously met their FY24 recruiting goals as well.

Those in uniform may feel largely satisfied with their career choice—with the possible exception of those now serving on the US Navy’s nuclear-powered supercarrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), where a serious fire two weeks ago caused significant disruption to the crew. Prior to the fire, the Ford had seen its deployment extended—raising some speculation that a disgruntled sailor may have been behind the fire.

Civilian Employees at Pentagon Not Feeling It

Even as America’s uniformed personnel appear largely content with the present circumstances, the Department of Defense (DoD) is facing issues with its civilian workforce, which has not adapted well to the changes under Hegseth’s leadership. The situation has been made worse since the US military initiated Operation Epic Fury, the campaign against Iran.

A Federal News Network (FNN) pulse poll of DoD personnel found that the ongoing operation has impacted morale, pushing its “already stretched workforce” even further.

“With the convergence of organizational changes, staff reductions, and a war in a resource-constrained environment, it feels almost impossible to sustain the mission,” one Defense Department employee told FNN.

“We used to have four times the number of people and the workload keeps increasing with calls for increased production and a war currently on,” another DoD worker said.

Both employees asked to be anonymous.

The Pentagon Isn’t the Easiest Place to Work

Another survey, conducted last week by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, found that job satisfaction among the Pentagon’s civilian workers has plunged.

Just 9.1 percent of civilian employees in the US Army agreed that Hegseth’s policies—including his emphasis on cultivating a “warrior ethos” within the department—were motivating the workforce. Job satisfaction within the US Navy and US Marine Corps fell from 68.1 out of 100 in 2024 to 36.4 in 2025. The Air Force saw its number fall from 67 to 38.5 percent, and the Army from 70.3 to 48.1 percent. Even in the Joint Staff, the SECDEF’s domain, there was a decline from 63.6 to 40.6 percent.

The poll took place before Operation Epic Fury was launched, so it is unclear whether the numbers have fallen further. However, as noted in the pulse poll’s findings, the chaotic nature of the Iran conflict likely hasn’t improved morale.

The drop in morale also coincides with the workforce having to do more with less. Last year, approximately 14 percent of the Pentagon’s nearly 800,000-strong civilian workforce left, including those fired from the department. Only about 30,000 individuals have been hired or rehired into positions exempt from the ongoing hiring freeze.

“Trump Derangement Syndrome” to Blame, Hegseth Says

The Pentagon fired back at these findings. Last week, spokesperson Kingsley Wilson accused defense publication Defense One, which reported on the findings, of “cherry-picking” parts of the survey—and accused the Partnership for Public Service of opposing President Donald Trump.

Hegseth also alleged last week that the media hoped for the Trump administration to fail in the ongoing Iran war.

“I stand here today speaking to the American people, not through filters, not through reporters, not through cable news spin. A dishonest and anti-Trump press will stop at nothing. We know this, at this point, to downplay progress, amplify every cost, and call into question every step,” Hegseth said.

The Secretary of Defense suggested that “Trump Derangement Syndrome” was in the “DNA” of the United States mainstream media. Prior to his appointment as America’s top military official, Hegseth worked at Fox News as a weekend morning anchor.

“They want President Trump to fail, but you, the American people, know better,” Hegseth said. 

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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