"We believe that these initial findings will probably save $80 million in wasteful spending," Parnell said in a video statement.
Parnell emphasized that this is just the beginning of efforts to cut unnecessary expenses. "Today's actions are just the start. More to come this week," he said, adding that the Pentagon is working closely with DOGE.
Among the expenditures flagged for review are:
$1.9 million for DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) training in the Air Force
$6 million to the University of Montana for a program aimed at "strengthening American democracy by bridging divides"
$3.5 million at the Defense Human Resources Activity for support to DEI groups
$1.6 million to the University of Florida for research on "social and institutional determinants of vulnerability and resilience to climate hazards" in the African Sahel
"So stay tuned in the weeks ahead as we trim the fat, preserve the muscle, make the DOD more mission capable and more lethal," Parnell concluded.
