The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Personnel \Per`son`nel"\, n. [F. See Personal.]
   The body of persons employed in some public service, as the
   army, navy, etc.; -- distinguished from materiel.
   [1913 Webster] person-to-person

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

personnel
    n 1: group of people willing to obey orders; "a public force is
         necessary to give security to the rights of citizens" [syn:
         force, personnel]
    2: the department responsible for hiring and training and
       placing employees and for setting policies for personnel
       management [syn: personnel department, personnel office,
       personnel, staff office]