The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has recently been exempted from a hiring freeze imposed by the Pentagon, a move praised by local officials and representatives, including Senator Shaheen. This exemption allows for the reinstatement of several workers who faced layoffs as part of broader job cuts affecting military and civilian positions. Despite these reinstatements, there have been mixed messages from the Navy regarding firings and the overall stability of employment at public shipyards. While the Department of Defense has listed public shipyards and military clinics as exempt from the hiring freeze, concerns remain amidst ongoing layoffs, with reports indicating that some workers have still been let go. The situation emphasizes the complex balance between job security for shipyard workers and government policies impacting hiring and employment within the military framework.