National & World Headlines

• Military’s same-sex couples seek overturn of DOMA

  If the high court strikes down the DOMA, the ruling could bring sweeping changes to the way the military treats widows and widowers.

  Defense

  March 27, 2013
• Russia breaks the ice

  There could be a break-through in U.S. Russia missile defense discussions. Reuters is reporting Russia "has asked Washington to hold regular consultations on missile defense in Europe, signaling that a shift in U.S. missile shield plans might help to resolve a row that has long strained ties."

  Defense

  March 26, 2013
• VA Chief of Staff John Gingrich to retire

  John Gingrich, the chief of staff for the Veterans Affairs Department, is retiring and will leave the agency by the end of the month after 37 years of federal and military service.

  Defense

  March 25, 2013
• DoD in denial about budget future, experts say

  Defense budget watchers say despite abundant evidence to the contrary, the Pentagon appears to believe it will eventually get most of its funding wishes over the coming few years. "Whether [sequestration] stays in place for nine more years is an open question, but it's certainly going to be in place for the foreseeable future," said Mackenzie Eaglen, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

  Federal Drive

  March 25, 2013
• Sequestration part deux (or just duh!)

  Furloughs are still in the federal forecast. But a funny thing happened last week that has some long-time, long-suffering government types wondering if things are going to be as tough as expected, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

  Mike Causey

  March 25, 2013
• Air Force meets fuel efficiency goal several years early

  In 2006, the service aimed to cut its fuel use by 10 percent. By 2012, it had reduced consumption by 12 percent.

  Budget

  March 22, 2013
• Pentagon to delay furlough notices for two weeks

  After passage of the 2013 funding bill earlier today, the Pentagon is reassessing its need for civilian furloughs. The Defense Department said it will delay issuance of furlough notices to its 780,000 civilian workers for two weeks. DoD had originally planned to begin sending out furlough notices today.

  Budget

  March 21, 2013
• Shutdown averted, pay freeze extended as Congress passes 2013 funding bill

  The House voted today to approve a measure to fund federal agencies through the remainder of fiscal 2013. The bill averts a government shutdown but extends the freeze on federal employees' pay through the end of 2013. The bill now heads to President Barack Obama for his signature.

  Budget

  March 21, 2013
• Gitmo needs an upgrade

  $170 million. That's what's needed to improve facilities for troops stationed at the Guantanamo Bay detention. The head of U.S. Southern Command, Gen. John Kelly, told the House Armed Services Committee that upgrades to buildings including barracks and the dining hall for the American personnel assigned to the joint task force at the U.S. base in Cuba are badly needed. He described the living conditions at Guantanamo as not quite squalor but "pretty questionable."

  Defense

  March 21, 2013
• Doubts remain over VA’s ability to end huge disability claims backlog

  VA officials still insist the 630,000 disability claims waiting to be processed will be eliminated by 2015. But so far, numbers are headed in the wrong direction and House Veterans Affairs Committee members are losing patience.

  Congress

  March 21, 2013
• Pentagon Solutions: CJCS reflects on challenges in Gulf

  With the 10th anniversary of the start of the war in Iraq this week, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey reflected on the war as well as current and future challenges in the Gulf region in a Center for Strategic and International Studies event.

  Federal Drive

  March 20, 2013
• Groups say veteran-owned contracting still broken

  Veterans service organizations say despite attempts at improvement, the Department of Veterans Affairs' verification process for veteran-owned small businesses is still barring legitimate firms from contracts with the department, while doing little to deter actual fraud.

  Congress

  March 20, 2013
• U.S. may get involved in Syria

  The Associated Press is reporting, the top U.S. military commander in Europe says NATO is making contingency plans for possible military involvement in Syria. And he says American forces would be prepared if called upon by the United Nations and member countries. Adm. James commander of U.S. European Command, told a Senate panel that the United States is "looking at a variety of operations."

  Defense

  March 20, 2013
• Admiral: Navy wants to keep tuition assistance

  The chief of naval personnel says the Navy wants to keep the service's tuition assistance program funded through the remainder of this fiscal year.

  Defense

  March 20, 2013