Whether you think the U.S. defense budget is too big or two small, one thing is for sure: The planned increase in spending doesn't keep up with inflation. For more on that, Federal Drive Host Tom Temin talked with someone who says there are ways to reallocate the $800 billion odd dollars to get more capability: Heritage Foundation Senior Policy Analyst Wilson Beaver.
In today's Federal Newscast: A State Department contractor has been arrested for allegedly sharing classified information with a foreign government. Cisco Systems is buying cybersecurity and data firm Splunk for $28 billion, in a cash deal. And the Air Force abruptly cancels a huge cybersecurity solicitation.
Shutdown countdown on your mind? Tired of congressional vilification? You might be thinking of how great a private sector job would be. Think twice. Many civilian public servants and military people do have great post-government careers. But the private sector offers no guarantees either, and a government or military career may not necessarily have prepared you for work outside of government.
The initial awards, worth $238 million, went to the future operators of eight “hubs” DoD is establishing as part of its Microelectronics Commons program.
The Pentagon is beginning a new effort to contact former service members who may have been forced out of the military and deprived of years of benefits due to policies targeting their sexual orientation, starting with those who served under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
The Navy Yard shooting was a "wake up call," in the words of one expert, for the government's security apparatus. Ten years later, ideas like continuous vetting have come to fruition.
In today's Federal Newscast: Low recruiting, but high retention, are putting financial strain on the military. The Government Accountability Office estimates that 15% of COVID-19 unemployment relief money went to fraudsters. And feds can now donate unused time off to other feds impacted by Hurricane Idalia.
The active duty Air Force will fall about 10% short of its recruiting goal this year, and its reserve components will see shortfalls closer to 30%.
The Defense Department is under statutory obligation to deliver a thousand reports to Congress each year. One analysis says the department consistently fails at this task and that Congress doesn't get the information it needs for proper oversight of military affairs. For more on all of that, Federal Drive Host Tom Temin spoke with Brennen Center counsel Katherine Yon Ebright.
In today's Federal Newscast: The Defense Department has adjusted childcare fees to give military families a financial boost. The Veterans Affairs Department is ready to spruce up its delivery of digital services. And the Energy Department allocates $39 million for nine new cyber projects at national labs.
The new concept, "Red Ventures," will help the NSA coordinate both internal ideas and work with outside partners on technology innovation.
An unclassified summary of DOD’s new cyber strategy offers few specifics as it outlines plans to protect the industrial base and improve technology used in cyber defense.
Five teams of senior leaders will examine everything from personnel and procurement policies to the Air Force's organizational chart. Their plans to move forward with reforms are due in January.
A new report from RAND Corporation reviewed two distinct technologies to illustrate ways the Air Force needs to align its goals with expense and risk in developing new space technology.
The Army's deputy chief of staff for intelligence says military leaders need to understand both the value of OSINT, as well as "how carefully it has to be managed and implemented."