When Homeland Security officials said last week that DHS would postpone the start of its new personnel system until January 2007 that left the way open for DOD to be first to unroll its version of the performance and occupation-based pay system. However, the Pentagon seems tangled up in the rules game. Earlier this summer, it postponed start up of its national security personnel system from July to this fall. However, it has yet to introduce final rules, which must have a 30-day review period.
The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.
