Cuts in the civilian workforce being done by the Department of Government Efficiency – DOGE – is having little effect on the North Dakota National Guard, according to a Guard spokesperson.

Nathan Rivard, public affairs officer for the N.D. National Guard in Bismarck, said overall, there has been very little impact on the N.D. Guard as an organization.

“We are still waiting for additional guidance on a couple of points that deal with civilian employees. But realistically, very little impact at this point,” he said.

The N.D. National Guard’s personnel includes military members and civilian employees.

According to an Air Force spokesperson, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has indicated the Pentagon is taking a deliberate, methodical approach to review its workforce and identify positions that may not directly contribute to warfighting success.

Minot Air Force Base’s fiscal year 2024 economic impact report ending Sept. 30, 2024, lists the base having 591 civilian employees paid with funds appropriated by Congress and 408 non-appropriated fund (NAF) contract civilians and for private businesses. The latter includes 135 NAF civilians, 85 Base Exchange civilians, 29 Defense Commissary Agency (DECA) civilians, 113 contract civilians or individuals hired by a local firm which has its place of work at an on-base government facility, and civilians working for private businesses on base (10 for branch banks/credit union and 36 for Balfour Beatty Communities privatized housing).