When Did the U.S. Military First Begin Hiring Civilian Employees?
The United States military has a long history of employing civilians to support its operations and mission. While the concept of hiring civilians to work for the military dates back to the early days of the republic, the modern system of hiring civilian employees as we know it today is a more recent development.
Early Beginnings
The Continental Army, established in 1775, was the first military force in what is now the United States. During the American Revolution, the Continental Army relied heavily on civilian contractors and volunteers to support its operations. These civilians provided services such as food supply, transportation, and medical care.
Civilian Employment in the 19th Century
After the American Revolution, the U.S. military continued to employ civilians to support its operations. During the War of 1812, the U.S. Army hired civilian contractors to build fortifications and supply the troops. In the mid-19th century, the U.S. Navy began hiring civilian employees, including clerks, cooks, and stewards, to support its operations.
World War I and the Early 20th Century
During World War I, the U.S. military expanded its use of civilian employees. The U.S. Army hired civilian personnel to work in quartermaster, ordnance, and signal corps, among other areas. The U.S. Navy also increased its use of civilian employees, hiring people to work in shipyards, repair shops, and other facilities.
The Great Depression and World War II
The Great Depression had a significant impact on the U.S. military’s use of civilian employees. With many young men serving in the military, the demand for civilian labor increased, and the military began to hire more civilians to support its operations. During World War II, the U.S. military expanded its use of civilian employees even further, hiring people to work in a wide range of areas, including logistics, communications, and medical services.
The Cold War and the Modern Era
After World War II, the U.S. military continued to rely on civilian employees to support its operations. The Cold War led to an increase in the number of civilian employees working in areas such as intelligence, communications, and logistics. In the 1960s and 1970s, the U.S. military began to develop a more formalized system for hiring and managing civilian employees.
The Military Civilian Workforce Today
Today, the U.S. military employs a large and diverse workforce of civilian employees. According to the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Military Community and Family Policy), as of 2020, there were approximately 747,000 civilian employees working for the Department of Defense (DoD). These employees work in a wide range of areas, including:
• Acquisition and logistics: 143,000 employees
• Human resources: 74,000 employees
• Financial management: 43,000 employees
• Healthcare: 40,000 employees
• Intelligence: 35,000 employees
• Information technology: 30,000 employees
• Facilities management: 25,000 employees
Table: Breakdown of Civilian Employees by Job Category
| Job Category | Number of Employees |
|---|---|
| Acquisition and Logistics | 143,000 |
| Human Resources | 74,000 |
| Financial Management | 43,000 |
| Healthcare | 40,000 |
| Intelligence | 35,000 |
| Information Technology | 30,000 |
| Facilities Management | 25,000 |
| Other | 211,000 |
Conclusion
The U.S. military has a long history of hiring civilian employees to support its operations and mission. From the early days of the Continental Army to the present day, the military has relied on civilians to provide a wide range of services, from logistics and supply to intelligence and healthcare. Today, the U.S. military employs a large and diverse workforce of civilian employees, with over 747,000 people working for the Department of Defense. As the military continues to evolve and adapt to changing circumstances, it is likely that the role of civilian employees will continue to grow and evolve as well.
