The views expressed are the author’s own and do not represent those of the FMCS or the federal government.
I once believed that wearing the cloth of our armed forces was the highest form of patriotism and devotion to our Constitution. Over two decades in uniform as both enlisted and commissioned officer, from the confines of a fast-attack nuclear submarine to the cockpit of an F/A-18 fighter jet, I learned much about discipline, order, and serving an idea greater than oneself.
Yet as I reflect on my subsequent seven years at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), I find that a different kind of pride emerged — one rooted in the tangible, everyday impact of keeping America working. This is not to diminish my military service, but to honor a chapter of my life where my work had an immediate effect on the lives of ordinary people.
At FMCS, I served as Director of Congressional and Public Affairs. At its peak, the agency was staffed by around 200 dedicated professionals operating on an annual budget of $55 million (less than 0.0014% of the federal budget). Every dollar invested in FMCS returned over nine dollars in economic benefits, safeguarding over $500 million annually. These figures represented the continuous operation of hospitals, factories, transportation systems, and other businesses and services.
Sadly, recent events have drastically undermined the vital work of FMCS. In March, following the arrival of representatives from DOGE, FMCS was gutted, with reports indicating a remaining workforce of around a dozen employees. I received my notice of reduction in force and was informed that the Office of Personnel Management would be in further contact with us regarding next steps, right before our computer access and IT accounts were abruptly terminated.
This rapid dismantling is not an abstract proposal. The consequences for our nation will be severe. The work FMCS does is not about grandstanding or political posturing. It is about keeping America’s economic engine running by preventing work stoppages and ensuring that vital services continue uninterrupted. The reduction of FMCS to a skeletal structure not only strips away years of institutional expertise but also leaves millions of American workers and businesses vulnerable to the kind of economic disruptions that FMCS has worked to prevent since its creation by Congress in 1947.
My military career taught me the values of duty and sacrifice, and I remain forever grateful for the lessons learned and the friends I served alongside. Yet my time at FMCS allowed me to see on a day-to-day basis the direct impact of effective conflict resolution on the lives of everyday Americans, a kind of service that for me has become deeply personal and irreplaceable.
The dismantling of FMCS is not merely a bureaucratic adjustment. It is a blow to the economic stability that underpins our nation’s prosperity. When an agency that has safeguarded over $500 million in annual economic benefits is reduced to a shadow of its former self, the ripple effects will be felt by employers, workers, and communities across the country. Our nation’s true security is not solely measured by military might but by the resilience of our economy and the stability of our workplaces.
I urge policymakers, community leaders, and fellow citizens to recognize the full scope of what has been lost with the rapid reduction of FMCS. We must remember that the strength of our nation depends on institutions that protect the livelihoods of ordinary Americans.
In sharing my journey, I hope to call attention to the profound loss we face when vital institutions are dismantled. The time to act is now, for the sake of our nation’s economic security and the future of American workplace stability.
