The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has authorized a voluntary program allowing civilian employees to assist the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the southern border. This initiative, requested by DHS, aims to bolster national security efforts amid ongoing immigration crackdowns. The memo, authored by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, outlines that civilian volunteers may be assigned either reimbursable or non-reimbursable roles, with the latter authorized based on comparable benefits to training or development programs.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a statement, emphasized the program’s alignment with national security priorities, noting that the involvement of DOD civilians would complement the existing efforts of military personnel. He stated,