The Department of Defense expects to lay off more than 5,000 probationary employees starting next week, as the department complies with the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce.

The dismissals will begin next week, officials said, and could expand to include tens of thousands of other workers throughout the Defense Department.

The first firings of Defense Department civilian probationary employees are expected to start next week, with about 5,400 set to be released as the Pentagon anticipates reducing its civilian workforce by 5-8%.