Defense
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here has been a significant achievement for DoD’s Space Development Agency. Last month, SDA demonstrated it could use a communication system called Link 16 between ground stations and its new network of low-earth orbiting satellites. It is the first time the ubiquitous military communication protocol has ever been used in space. For more on why that matters and what it means, Federal News Network Deputy Editor Jared Serbu talked with Jennifer Elzea, SDA's Director of Strategic Engagement on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin.
December 04, 2023 -
The VA’s Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection (OAWP) – set up in the aftermath of the department’s secret wait-list scandal – got off to a very rocky start. It had scandals of its own. According to the government watchdog Project on Government Oversight (POGO), VA has reformed OAWP in ways that have made real progress toward building whistleblower confidence. But there is still a whole lot of work to do. Joe Spielberger is policy counsel at POGO. A few weeks ago, he testified before the House Veterans Affairs Committee about what is needed at OAWP. He speaks here with Federal News Network Deputy Editor Jared Serbu.
December 01, 2023 -
In today's Federal Newscast: GSA's Inspector General will scrutinize the decision to relocate the FBI HQ to Greenbelt, Maryland. Gen. CQ Brown spells out the dangers of a year-long CR, from his perch as Joint Chiefs Chairman. And the Merit Systems Protection Board is close to filling the final spot on its three-member panel.
December 01, 2023 -
The National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office coordinates maritime awareness intelligence from a plethora of stakeholders, both domestic and international, and employs cloud services and automation tools to make sense of it all.
November 30, 2023 -
In today's Federal Newscast: The Cyber Accreditation Body has a new leader. The Department of Veterans Affairs has surpassed its goal to permanently house homeless veterans. And SmartPay celebrates its 25th anniversary with a facelift of its website.
November 30, 2023 -
The Department of the Air Force needs to work on several areas to meet its modernization and transformation goals, including improving data quality and accessibility, complying with set DoD standards, retiring legacy systems and thinking about how it can improve to meet its future needs.
November 29, 2023 -
The Coast Guard is one of the smallest military services -- but it has a big mission. According to the Government Accountability Office, it is still struggling to meet that mission because of longstanding challenges in at least three major areas. To talk through where things stand and how the service can improve, Federal News Network's Deputy Editor Jared Serbu spoke with Heather MacLeod, GAO's Director for Homeland Security and Justice Issues.
November 29, 2023 -
The Navy’s submarine talent pipeline program will help address workforce shortages by working with industry at a time of increased demand for submarines with the United States’ partnership with Australia and the United Kingdom.
November 28, 2023 -
Our readers in Japan respond to a recent Federal News Network interview with the director of the Defense Health Agency -- telling us the civilian employee health care crisis in that country is far from resolved.
November 28, 2023 -
Talk about joint service. A member of the Space Force has become the first guardian to receive a service medal from the Coast Guard. The guardian spent three weeks aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Healy in the Arctic.
November 28, 2023 -
While the Defense Department’s Replicator program will be successful if it is able to get 2,000 drones within two years, speakers at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology said that the program will be more successful if this is not a one-time thing. DoD must replicate this initiative in the future whether it is with new drones or another technology to help move beyond the valley of death.
November 27, 2023 -
We all know military life can present challenges for a family. Having to constantly move from one city to another, can lead to child care issues, as well as trouble for the military spouse to find a job in a new location. Way above the national average, military spouses register an unemployment rate of more than 20%. Since 2009, an organization called, "Blue Star Families" has tried to help military families navigate the challenges they will undoubtedly face.
November 27, 2023 -
Congress is back from its Thanksgiving recess this week -- with not very much time to go before several different impending deadlines. We've talked a lot about the appropriations legislation that still needs to get done for 2024. But the deadlines for some key authorization bills are creeping up even faster. Loren Duggan is deputy news director at Bloomberg Government. He spoke with Federal News Network Deputy Editor Jared Serbu.
November 27, 2023 -
In today's Federal Newscast: The secretaries of the Army and Air Force call the hold on the confirmation of hundreds of military officers "problematic." The Government Accountability Office reports that the federal workforce is more diverse than the nationwide labor force. And improper payments crept up in 2023.
November 27, 2023 -
Eligible participants can enroll or change plans during open season for TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Select until Dec. 12. Changes will take effect on Jan. 1.
November 24, 2023
