Facing a $30 million budget reduction, DLI is offering more early retirement and resignations.

The commander of the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Col. Christy Whitfield, was diplomatic when someone at a World Affairs Council of Monterey Bay luncheon asked after her speech in February about possible budget cuts under the Trump Administration.

As long as teaching foreign languages to military members is a Department of Defense priority, “we’ll be able to continue our mission,” she said.

The mission continues for now, but with fewer instructors, civilian staff and a smaller budget in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Military.com reported recently that the U.S. Army is headed for a major reorganization and the elimination of at least 2,000 positions, according to internal documents. DLI was specifically listed for a $30 million budget cut.

“The Army has a long history of managing transformation to meet evolving mission requirements, and the Department of Defense is currently engaged in a deliberate, department-wide workforce shaping effort aligned with national defense priorities,” a statement from a DLI spokesperson states.

Since February there have been two opportunities for employees to resign with full pay until the end of September. The first came when the infamous “Fork in the Road” letter was sent to government employees. A second opportunity took place in April.

A source with access to DLI internal data says the number of instructors decreased by almost 200 between early February to early April, before the second offering, from nearly 1,450 to just under 1,250. The number of government service employees dropped by 18, from 168 to 150.

A DLI spokesperson confirms that about 9 percent of DLI’s employees “voluntarily requested participation” in the resignation programs, although some still have an opportunity to change their mind for a limited time.

Another 5 to 8 percent of the civilian workforce has been slated for a reduction in the coming months across the Army, before the end of the budget year on Sept. 30. The spokesperson said DLI “has not received specific [DoD] guidance on additional percentage targets or local impacts currently.”

Whitfield says in a written statement that they “are taking all necessary steps to reshape our civilian workforce and modernize the organization while balancing the ability to meet our mission objectives and preserve our instructors’ career progress and aspirational goals. [DLI]’s workforce is our most important and valued asset.”

From Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20, employees have another opportunity to take early retirement and/or resignations, leaving by July 11 with a lump sum of up to $25,000. If it needs to, the Army will then begin layoffs, known as Reduction in Force, or RIFs. The American Federation of Government Employees is encouraging anyone who regrets not taking the “Fork in the Road” option to consider applying to protect other employees from being eliminated during RIFs.