This week, Secretary Hegseth posted a video calling for a "ruthless review" of military legal offices, saying JAGs should advise commanders in combat, not spend time on what he called "civilian side work." I don't agree with Secretary Hegseth on much, but on this point I want to share some perspective from inside, particularly as relates to Special Victims' Counsel (SVC).
In 2021, Secretary Austin established the Independent Review Commission (IRC) on Sexual Assault in the Military. After more than 600 interviews, the Commission issued its report, with more than 80 recommendations. Congress allocated nearly $479 million toward implementation.
One of those recommendations focused on increasing victim agency and control, including expanding SVC capacity by hiring civilian National Guard SVCs. This was a significant step — recognizing that Guard survivors, who often lack the same access to legal resources as active-duty members, needed dedicated counsel.
Congress authorized and funded civilian SVC positions across multiple NDAA cycles as part of a broader $4.5 billion investment through FY2028. The expectation for civilian hiring was to continue year after year until the capability became permanent. Whether those SVC positions made it into FY24 and beyond, I cannot tell you. What we do know is that DoD workforce reductions have delayed plans to hire at least 1,000 civilians tied to IRC implementation. Senators Gillibrand and Murkowski have also raised concerns that some SAPR programs may be facing cuts.
So, here are the questions:
- Were the civilian National Guard SVC positions that Congress funded actually executed?
- If they weren't, why?
- If they weren't, where did the resources go?
- Assuming there is still funding available, is there still opportunity to execute?
Ruth's Truth: The most important question isn't what was announced — it's whether it was ever built.
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