DOD isn't poaching, but it is hiring, official says
The Defense Department is a unique place, and that attracts young people to leave industry and join its civilian workforce, Undersecretary Ashton Carter says.
Is the Defense Department poaching employees from its contractor companies to fill defense jobs?
Ashton Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, today leaned toward no. DOD isn’t poaching private-sector employees, but it is hiring plenty of people, he said.
As officials push insourcing government jobs to boost in-house skills in areas such as defense procurement, companies are concerned their employees are being, well, poached.
Carter denied that characterization. However, he said DOD is seeking employees in places where they can be found.
“We’re going to the open marketplace,” Carter told House Armed Services Committee.
Carter said people are interested in joining DOD because it offers the opportunity to play a role in protecting the United States.
DOD may not pay as much as private-sector companies or have the most innovative and up-to-date offices, he said. But the department’s mission draws people, especially young people, to give up perks to work there.