A 5 year rule was established during the cold war “to facilitate the interchange of civilian employees of the Defense Establishment between posts of duty in the USA and posts of duty outside the United States through the establishment and operation of programs for the rotation” of employees “consistent with” the mission and “sound principles of administration.” 10 U.S.C. 1586(a). Note: a majority of overseas hires are initial hires, therefore the interchange of civilian employees is not being accomplished by the concepts established.
Therefore, I suggest that the 5-year rule be abolished.
Assuming an average cost of moving a family overseas of $55,000 the cost for maybe one fourth of the almost 87,000 employees rotated back and forth over one year period would be approx $660,000,000.