Army considers outsourcing 214,000 jobs to private sector

WASHINGTON -- The Army is considering contracting out nearly 214,000 military and civilian support jobs to the private sector in an ambitious plan to free money to fight terrorism and comply with President Bush's desire to trim the federal government through outsourcing.

Army Secretary Thomas E. White has directed his commanders to submit plans by Dec. 20 to privatize or outsource all functions not essential to fighting wars. If approved, the unprecedented government overhaul could begin this spring and affect two-thirds of the Army civilian work force. Military personnel would be reassigned.

Targeted are 154,910 civilians and 58,727 military personnel that perform support functions such as legal, communications and financial.

Congress would have to approve some proposed changes.

That's happened twice before in the Army. But White and other officials say this third wave will be "bigger and faster." Layoffs are possible, though officials said they expect most civilians to find work with contractors.