U.S. Senator James Lankford is leading a bipartisan effort to speed up hiring at military depots like Tinker Air Force Base by expanding the use of direct hire authority for critical support positions.
Lankford and Congressman Blake Moore sent a letter to the secretaries of the Air Force, Army and Navy asking how each branch plans to use a policy included in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.
The change broadens the definition of the defense industrial base, allowing more jobs at depots, arsenals, shipyards and industrial facilities to qualify for faster hiring. That includes positions like software technicians, program analysts, facilities mechanics, training instructors and safety workers.
Lankford said the goal is to cut red tape that has slowed military readiness and left key support jobs vacant.
“By expanding direct-hire authority to include all supporting units at installations like Tinker Air Force Base, we are cutting the bureaucratic red tape that has slowed our military readiness,” Lankford said.
The policy also helps veterans move into civilian jobs at military facilities faster by reducing delays tied to the federal “180 Day Rule,” which often pushes skilled workers into private-sector jobs instead.
Supporters say the expanded authority could add about 8,000 more eligible positions across Tinker, Hill and Robins Air Force Bases.
