When it comes to managers saying they are going to make things more efficient; seeing is believing. Half of them would probably cut off their own legs and be like "See, I spend less time in the shower, because I have less body parts to wash!" if it got them enough bonus pay.
While I am a bit skeptical as well - I am also a bit more optimistic...
I've seen the one legged Managers get what they want because they have mastered the (what I call) Managerial Jujitsu Beltway Battles gamesmanship...
But I remain hopeful that the playing field is now a bit different...
- The instructions are very clear - the services have to demonstrate value towards the new (interim) SECDEF Guidance as a priority...
- There are folks like myself (DoD Patriot Civilians) who are now willing and able to objectively point to those 'one legged' managers can call for an actual and objective 'Return on Investment' assessment upon those organizations that are NOT in alignment with the new guidance and are ultimately guilty of the 'waste' that DOGE has been trying to eliminate...
- Of course, I am biased, working for the Marines - that the other services have a lot more fat that can and should be cut than does the Marine Civil Servants... But we certainly need to make a case for efficient growth and reduction in the right areas...