Pentagon creates new office to reduce duplicate programs, wasteful spending

By Mike Glenn - The Washington Times - Friday, September 25, 2026

The Pentagon on Friday announced a new organization to cut waste at the Department of Defense by identifying inefficient spending, unnecessary administrative systems and duplicate programs.

The Force Agility and Streamlining Team, or FAST, is the latest chapter in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s streamlining and efficiency review of the military.

The Pentagon said FAST will report to Pentagon Chief Financial Officer Jules W. Hurst. By identifying waste and eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy, it will “ensure that resources are aligned with the [Defense Department’s] highest warfighting priorities.”

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“Every dollar we spend should make our military stronger, more ready, and more lethal, which is why good stewardship is not separate from warfighting. For too long, layers of bureaucracy and outdated processes have consumed time and resources that belong with our warfighters,” Mr. Hurst said.

The administration has called for a Defense Department budget of roughly $1.5 trillion for fiscal 2027.

The Defense Department was an early collaborator with the Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE, by initiating a series of program cancellations, hiring freezes and spending reviews aimed at streamlining the Pentagon.

“Through FAST, the department is establishing a disciplined mechanism to challenge the way we do business, identify where taxpayer dollars are not producing sufficient value, and act on those values,” Mr. Hurst said.

Pentagon officials said FAST will work closely with the military departments inside the Pentagon, along with the Joint Staff, defense agencies and other department leaders to recommend savings.

The Defense Department did not provide details about the makeup of the FAST organization or what authorities it will be given.

Mr. Hurst said the success of FAST will be measured by results rather than merely creating another layer of process.

“If a program is duplicative, we should eliminate it. If a process can be streamlined, we should streamline it,” he said. “If resources can be put to better use supporting the warfighter, we have an obligation to make that happen.”