many of those “double dippers” are our friends and co workers, and they started 2d jobs after 20-35 years of military service. Only fairly recently did the officers not give up half their pay if they chose to continue to work in agences and programs they understand well, and that they believe to be relevant to our national security
Many “dd’s” are retired Chiefs and other senior enlisted managers with pensions below $30K a year, also 45 yr old LTCs and 50 yr old Colonels working now as civilians - with the same honesty and work ethic - and using their expertise to keep programs flowing and going in the DoD. They are a force multiplier that keeps down the size (and cost to maintain) of the active duty military
Of course you probably think the better hire for these military-related programs and agencies like nuclear security and weapons development and acquisition would be a someone off the street without military experience
They're still government employees in a bloated government with bloated spending. Sorry, no sympathy here.
Only partly true. One of my big life choices was foregoing military service. Instead I got a scholarship to a public university. The tradeoff becomes apparent decades later when vets are more suited for defense work than I am. OTOH, they are less prepared for civilian work (e.g. product development, profit-making ventures) which I have done plenty of. The primary problem with civilian defense employment right now is there are way too many and do lots of churning with planning meetings and so forth. Not much actual work. The whole system requires a complete makeover with consequent cuts.