Anonymous (2024)
I am a budget analyst for a federal law enforcement agency, and right now, my agency is facing yet another devastating budget cut. Our budget office, when fully staffed, is already the smallest of any federal agency, operating at only 35% staffing, and now, we are being asked to do even more with even less. This is why my role is not just important, it is critical.
As a budget analyst, I do more than just review numbers on a spreadsheet; I strategically assess how to lessen the impact of funding cuts on the safety and security of the American people. Reduced funding doesn’t just mean tightening budgets, it means fewer resources for law enforcement, delayed operations, and a diminished ability to respond to threats. Every decision I make helps determine whether agents receive the training they need, whether investigations get the necessary resources, and whether vital public safety initiatives can continue at all. In a time of shrinking budgets and growing challenges, my role ensures that every dollar is maximized to protect those who protect us.
Without skilled budget analysts, agencies risk severe mismanagement, funding shortfalls, and operational breakdowns. In a time of deep cuts and workforce shortages, my job is ensuring that every single dollar is accounted for, stretched to its fullest potential, and used where it’s needed most. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
I pursued federal service because I wanted to serve a greater purpose. My journey to this point has been anything but easy. I worked full-time for the Air Force, supporting a senior leader, while earning my Master’s in Public Administration with a 4.0 GPA. I put in very long workdays at times followed by long nights of studying, all with the goal of transitioning into a career where I could contribute to something bigger than myself.
I have seen firsthand how government decisions impact real people, and I wanted to be part of making positive change. The PMF program felt like my calling, an opportunity to use my skills and dedication to improve government operations, financial management, and policy-making. I left everything behind. I moved my family from another country to Washington, DC, without a support system or safety net, because I believed in this mission and this opportunity.
The PMF program is indispensable to the federal government and the American public. It is a pipeline for highly skilled, motivated professionals who bring fresh ideas, efficiency, and leadership to federal agencies. More than just a hiring program, PMF represents the epitome of a merit-based system, selecting only the most qualified, capable, and driven individuals through a rigorous, highly competitive process.
Each year, thousands of applicants from across the country compete for a limited number of spots through a multi-stage assessment process that evaluates critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and technical expertise. Only the best and brightest are chosen as finalists, making PMF a key tool for ensuring that the federal workforce is only built on merit, talent, and a commitment to public service.
Eliminating this program is not just removing a job opportunity but it is weakening the future of government leadership. Without this pipeline, the federal government will struggle to retain top talent, resulting in delays in services, inefficiencies in government operations, and a loss of future leaders who are dedicated to serving the American people.
For me personally, the decision to end the PMF program is devastating. I haven’t been let go yet, but the uncertainty is overwhelming. I took a leap of faith. I left behind my life overseas, uprooted my family, and committed to this role, only to see this opportunity possibly disappear faster than I even had a chance to fully embrace it.
I urge the Administration and Congress to reconsider eliminating the PMF program. If we want a government that works for the people, we need skilled, dedicated professionals who are willing to serve, innovate, and lead. The PMF program is one of the best tools we have to ensure that happens. It is a proven, merit-based pathway to cultivating the next generation of public servants, and losing it would be a tremendous disservice to the future of federal leadership.