WASHINGTON—The War Department is rewarding its highest performers with monetary awards worth 15 to 25% of base pay, The Daily Wire can first report, rewards intended to reflect the “historic successes” of the past 10 months.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directed all War Department department heads and principal staff assistants to “take immediate action to recognize and reward [the] very best” of the department’s civilian workforce with “meaningful monetary awards consistent with the relevant existing civilian awards authorities for each pay system,” according to a memorandum for senior Pentagon leadership first obtained by The Daily Wire.
The move comes amid Hegseth’s efforts to reinvigorate the War Department. Throughout the past year, Hegseth has repeatedly emphasized his focus on restoring the warrior ethos, promoting discipline and lethality, readiness, accountability, and standards. He has also repeatedly discussed his commitment to promoting President Donald Trump’s America First agenda and prioritizing American freedom and prosperity.
“Make no mistake about it,” he said earlier this month, “President Trump is hellbent on maintaining and accelerating the most powerful military the world has ever seen; the most powerful, the most lethal and American-made … the arsenal of freedom.”
The distribution of bonuses — which could reach up to $25,000 — is also in line with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to make the federal government function more like a private-sector business.
All civilian government employees are eligible for the bonuses, though political SES (Senior Executive Service) and Schedule C (general schedule) employees are excluded. War Department leaders are instructed to effectuate the awards no later than January 30, 2026. While the Department of War has given out bonuses in the past, this is the first time in recent memory that the department has taken this type of coordinated approach, specifically led by Hegseth and his Deputy Secretary Steve Feinberg.
The memo, titled “Recognition of Outstanding Department of War Civilian Employees,” emphasizes that civilian employees have played an essential and foundational role in driving American military successes since “the dawn of the Republic.” It also focuses on the successes and hardships of the past year, specifically mentioning the government shutdown.
“Over the past 10 months, Department of War (DoW) civilians upheld that proud tradition through their steadfast support of the worldwide mission of the Department,” the memo states, “including historic successes in defending the homeland and securing peace in the Middle East – and their dedication to executing the transformational changes necessary to revive the warrior ethos, rebuild our military, and reestablish deterrence.”
“These achievements have not been easy,” the secretary’s memo continues. “The uncertainty and adversity inherent in all periods of change can test even the most elite workforce. Further, the longest Government shutdown in American history imposed severe strain on our civilian workforce. The resilience our civilian teammates have demonstrated throughout this challenging time is an inspiration and deserves to be recognized.”
“I am enormously grateful for the incredible contributions of our entire civilian workforce, and I am proud to work with everyone in the Department, military and civilian, in defending our Nation,” Hegseth concludes.
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