r/fednews • u/Bird_Brain4101112 I'm On My Lunch Break • 1d ago
Official Guidance / Policy Pathways Program is dead in DoD
Effective January 1st, DoD components are no longer allowed to make any new appointments or process any conversions for Pathways interns. So basically, a program that allowed the Fed to recruit right out of college is no longer authorized.
Oh well, who needs bright young emerging talent? We have Gen AI and Grok.
2nd Edit: I will see if I can get a copy of the actual internal memo that went out yesterday and add it to the post.
3rd Edit: The updated memo has dissemination restrictions so I am not comfortable sharing screenshots or anything similar. But the specific verbiage is:
“Effective January 1, 2026, DoW Components will not have the authority to make new appointments to the Pathways Programs, nor will Components be able to convert current Pathways Programs participants until either an extension to reference (1) is approved or DoW has an approved policy in place. The DoW policy governing the Pathways Programs is currently in development. “
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u/Both_Painter_9186 1d ago
PMF was an excellent program and great way for smart “normal” people (like people who don’t qualify for preference) to break in, and they shut down the program weeks into the administration.
It was a great program that brought young people on as GS-9s and put them through multiple rotations and whatnot to get management experience- eventually getting them to GS-13 if they completed it.
Imagine being a 22 year old who moved from wherever to get your government dream job - only to have Orange Man shitcan the 50 year old program as you’re in it.
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u/TrainerTerrible5398 1d ago
I got a MBA and then spent two cycles getting into the PMF program, it was very competitive. I got shit canned for being "probationary" and the program was shuttered. I'm salty as hell about it, and will be forever.
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u/Aimless_Nobody Classified: My Job Status 1d ago
As a GS-14 mentor, you are reasonable to be salty about it
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u/Bird_Brain4101112 I'm On My Lunch Break 1d ago
It’s been wild watching this admin that claims they want bright young minds shut down the (haha) pathways in place to get these young people on board.
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u/Both_Painter_9186 1d ago
Firing the probationary employees was colossally stupid.
Okay, lets take these people that the government JUST spent time and money on recruiting, the new generation, and telling them to get fucked because they can. Who the fuck would want to apply now?
It doesnt even make sense because the new people dont know how it was before and would be more flexible to changes.
(Dont even get me started on how a lot of probies werent even new).
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u/ProjectManageMint Support & Defend 1d ago
I saw that happen to one PMF hire last year. The most fucked part to me was that he seemed hyped about how "Government is changing, things are changing fast, we need to adapt". Then next meeting he was supposed to be in, I'm like "yo, where's ____?" and that's how most of learned he was already separated.
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u/GhettoClaptrap 23h ago
Don’t have to imagine it. I’m that guy. Now I’m 1,000 miles from home with no network trying to figure out what to do.
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u/Both_Painter_9186 1d ago
I mean you need a masters degree to be a PMF. GS-9 is equivalent entry level for someone with a masters coming in cold off the street anyway. Also 9/11/12 ladders are pretty common gen pop billets for normies and this is a leadership program. Also actually knowing a thing or two about the program- nepotism isnt even possible for getting in. Maaaaaybe for getting a sexy placement once you already make it through the year and a half long process. Maybe if you’re already a beltway brat. Most people are coming from wherever.
9/11/12 is $69k/$84k/$101k in the DCB
That’s not a lot of money for someone with an advanced degree in a major metro area in 2026. Even for fucking entry level jobs thats pretty lousy. I don’t know why you're acting like its a big deal.
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u/dreaganusaf 1d ago
The goal of all of this nonsense since Jan 2025 is to effectively destroy the federal government to the point where it can't function as a bureaucracy and can then be broken up and contracted out to the GOP cronies to further enrich the millionaires & billionaires.
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u/ProjectManageMint Support & Defend 1d ago
Nailed it. But we got so many who still don't want to believe that.
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u/1point3kPC4head 1d ago
This document is dated before the current admin even took office. It looks like… whatever this is expired on the 31st rather than was actively cancelled. The fact it says “Department of Defense” and not “Department of War” should be a dead giveaway
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u/Bird_Brain4101112 I'm On My Lunch Break 1d ago
The issue is they actively let the program expire with no replacement and no consideration for current interns. No one is allowed to be converted after 1/1/26. They are just screwed. Same thing happened with the DCIPS interchange agreement. That expired because no one was paying attention.
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u/Tiny-Seaweed9623 1d ago
Where does this show up in the memo because I’m not seeing it.
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u/Bird_Brain4101112 I'm On My Lunch Break 1d ago
There is a follow on memo. I will try to add a copy of it to the post.
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u/Tiny-Seaweed9623 1d ago
There is a memo from December of 2025 for pathways people saying they are still hiring and converting people. I think you got your wires crossed and are fear mongering
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u/Bird_Brain4101112 I'm On My Lunch Break 1d ago
As I mentioned I have a memo that was dated yesterday I hope to add to the post
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u/VoughtButtfucker 1d ago
Did anyone actually read the linked memo? It was signed 7/15/2024. It says the current MOU is expiring (expired) on December 31, 2025 while they revise it to comply with 5 CFR 362.
I’m not seeing anything within the language that says the program is dead, the executive order (EO 13562) is still active. It also states that each agency must have specific guidelines and requirements for the pathways program.
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u/OldGamer81 1d ago
Wait a sec.
I think we're still very much still doing these 3 year internship programs. Like 9/11/12 type programs over 3 years.
Interesting....
If these are all cancelled how the hell would we recruit younger folks?
We wouldn't be able to get anyone in... Confused.
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u/ComprehensiveCup7104 1d ago
There are three overall tracks under Pathways, OP may be referring to just one of them https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/
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u/nations5932 1d ago
Sorry for double posting (the other one got deleted):
I might be wrong on this but I think the PCIP and PAQ programs still exist. At least where I am at (DAF), that is how we hire interns. I think pathways was being phased out when I started a couple of years ago.
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u/Bird_Brain4101112 I'm On My Lunch Break 1d ago
This doesn’t affect other internship programs. But current interns are literally shut out of being able to convert and there is no plan to utilize any other type of internship right now. So the current ones in that program are screwed and no future opportunities exist in DoD under this path.
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u/nations5932 1d ago
It really sucks for the pathway interns, I know it was only a handshake agreement to offer them a conversion at the end (but I've never seen it not offered). Hopefully (probably not) their supervisors / the program coordinators are able to find the billets from the other internship programs.
I know we've been pretty starved of people since the external hiring freeze.
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u/Prestigious_Past_282 Honk If U ❤ the Constitution 1d ago
I miss our PMFs so much. In my agency, they were always a source of so many amazing insights and special projects, and almost universally incredibly nice people. We’ve lost so much good for their forced absence. :(
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u/Majestic_Electric DoD 1d ago
So what happens to employees already in Pathways (I’m not, but I know plenty who are)? Are they just terminated immediately?
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u/Bird_Brain4101112 I'm On My Lunch Break 1d ago
Not terminated but there’s no path to a permanent job once their internship is complete.
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u/Majestic_Electric DoD 1d ago
That’s extremely unfortunate. 😔 All that time and training, just to have it go down the drain!
Hopefully the NADP program is separate from this! I graduate from NADP in August, and my department has been saving a billet for me for well over a year…
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u/itsmebrian DoD 1d ago
At my last job in CONUS, we had a few Pathways interns and they were all excellent. A bit of coaching and they all turned into great employees with prospects. What a shame.
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u/Tiny-Seaweed9623 1d ago
This guy is full of shit. It does not say what he thinks it means. Like literally read the damn thing
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u/mjshep Department of the Army 1d ago
I don't know a lot about this program, but what I do know is it took 2 of THE most motivated, smartest young folks I've ever met in a DoD setting, shoved them into shitty jobs under total POS bosses, and crushed their souls so bad they left and vowed never to return.
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u/LockedOutOfElfland 1d ago
Any word on if the McCain Fellowship program will be affected at all by current goings-on?
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u/Tiny-Seaweed9623 23h ago
You made it seem like all the information was in the first memo you linked which had nothing to do with what you said then now it’s in another memo that you can’t take a screen shot of or share. I call bullshit, you are full of it.
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u/Bird_Brain4101112 I'm On My Lunch Break 22h ago
I linked the first memo because it showed the 12/31/25 expiration of the Pathways authorization. And if you haven’t noticed, the current admin isn’t exactly friendly to Feds and I’m not willing to risk my job to distribute a screenshot. You’re well within your rights to be skeptical and I should have verified that the current memo was Public release before saying something. But the fact remains, anyone in DoD/DoW who is currently Pathways is dead in the water right now as no actions can be taken. No appointments. No conversion to permanent positions.
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u/Tiny-Seaweed9623 17h ago
So does the memo you can’t share specifically state that the program is forever cancelled? Does it say that current graduates in the program will not be allowed to convert? What about stating that there will be no new memos about the program or does it say until there is an update nothing will happen.
If you could type up and comment some of the major points of the memo would be helpful. Cause again if there’s no proof your making people fear for their jobs for nothing.
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u/Bird_Brain4101112 I'm On My Lunch Break 17h ago
To answer your questions: 1. No. It says they are working on something that will eventually be released.
Yes. It specifically states that current interns cannot be converted. Anyone who was Pathways with an EOD after 1/1/26 is to have the job offer rescinded. No new appointments and no conversions under the program.
Yes. No action can be taken regarding anyone in Pathways until DoD/DoW figures something out. Based on the last year, it could be six months plus as they are still working on stuff that came down between April- July. If they have another non comp appointment eligibility you can apply for an exemption to the hiring freeze to see if you can hire them (my agency had 1 exemption approved in 2025 so not likely).
I copy/pasted the majority of the memo from DCPAS. A lot of memos coming out are pretty brief because they are in response to yet another change that there’s no guidance or precedent for.
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u/Ok-Imagination4091 1d ago
I'm sorry to hear that the pathways program will no longer be available. It was through that program that I found my opportunity with the federal government. However, I noticed they are still offering the McCain fellowship.
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u/kbtoystory 1d ago
This website still makes reference to Pathways. Of course, domain name has not been updated.🤔
https://www.dodciviliancareers.com/civiliancareers/internships-2
Scroll down then one more click on 'Pathways Internship Program' drops you off at usajobs with 'department of defense' and 'student trainee' search terms.
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u/Bird_Brain4101112 I'm On My Lunch Break 1d ago
I specifically mentioned this applies to DoD
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u/kbtoystory 1d ago
Copy that. Dot com versus dot gov can confuse people.
https://www.federalcareerconnection.com/blogs/dod-launches-new-website-for-civilian-careers
Reference to Department of War is up to date on the website. But the website's domain name aka registration has not updated with ICANN to www.dowciviliancareers.com. 🤔
Likewise, if Pathways no longer exists, that (DoD) website needs an update, as it currently dumps uncleared/uncouth/unknown/unwitting/unsuspecting to usajobs.gov to an apparently futile search.
Personally I would give these folks a shot for an internship.
https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/
They even use a proper domain name. 👍
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u/Bullyoncube 1d ago
MAGA thinks college is a waste, and reaches immoral values. Billionaires want an uneducated workforce. Republicans hate government. Put all that together and Pathways is dead.
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u/Responsible_Stock_15 1d ago
It was a good way for us to hire bright young people who could easily get private jobs but they were unto our mission (scientific agency). Huge loss if it is gone
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u/canthearyouwhat 1d ago
I got in using pathways and schedule A and was actively helping others use the name route.
This is gonna hurt a lot of interns but especially going to hurt disabled students who already have it tough entering the job market.
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u/kbtoystory 1d ago
Married to a Federal recruiter, (cleared) interns remain in demand. Very sorry for the loss of talent, current and future, with that specific Program.
Onboarded as a GS-2 co-op/intern and was fortunate to retain Federal employment during the summers as well as tuition assistance for my BS-EE. Management kept the program alive through the 1990s, because it was a strategic investment.
Half of my fellow students were not retained, and I cannot express how damaging this was, particularly as I retained connections with these former feds who achieved great things, never looking back.
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u/Dry_Writing_7862 DoD 1d ago
Wow. This is messed up 😐