On DoD
-
A steady flow of policy documents details how the branches of the military -- and the Defense Department as a whole -- will prepare for the wars of the future. But the changing nature of warfare may have the United States preparing for the wrong war. Retired Army Lt. Gen. David Barno is senior fellow and co-director of the Responsible Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security. He was the first Commander of Military Operations-Afghanistan. He writes on War On The Rocks, under the title "The Shadow Wars of the 21st Century," that war is morphing. He explained how on In Depth with Francis Rose.
August 01, 2014 -
The Army says the alternative and renewable energy industry should not look to the military as a giant source of investment capital for new technologies. But there are a few exceptions to that rule.
August 01, 2014 -
Each week, Federal News Radio’s Ciera Crawford highlights federal employees and government contractors charged with defrauding the government. Have a tip or want to contact Ciera? You can do so by email or phone, 202-274-4824.
July 31, 2014 -
Service's latest strategy document sees a future in which it will need to be more flexible and adaptable, including in its acquisition and personnel policies and organizational structures.
July 31, 2014 -
Improving acquisition compliance and ethics may involve less rulemaking and more culture shaping according to panelists at the National Contract Management Association's World Congress conference. At the conference, agency leaders discussed the need to streamline and pursue innovative approaches to federal acquisition policies.
July 30, 2014 -
Air Force leadership rolls out a new strategic plan today. "America's Air Force: A Call to the Future" is a 30-year plan that focuses on four key points the Air Force believes will shape the future of air power. But their plan isn't entirely a new concept. Russell Rumbaugh is Director of Budgeting for Foreign Affairs and Defense, and Senior Associate, at the Stimson Center. Russell and his colleague Barry Blechman from Stimson wrote in Breaking Defense about a concept called Strategic Agility. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he explained the connection between today's plan -- as introduced by Secretary James and General Welsh -- and the work he and Barry have done.
July 30, 2014 -
The Army plans to say goodbye to more than 130,000 soldiers this year. To help troops move on with their lives the service is partnering with private employers who can provide job training. A new program will train some to enter the automotive industry. One of the partners is Raytheon. Lynn Dugle is president of Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services. She joined Tom Temin and Emily Kopp on the Federal Drive to discuss the new program.
July 29, 2014 -
An uninvited guest crashes the world's largest international naval exercise. A Chinese spy ship is watching over the Rim of the Pacific exercise that runs until Friday. But the ship isn't breaking any navigation laws, so Chinese military experts say it's a non-issue. Sam LaGrone, news editor of the US Naval Institute, broke the news of the ship's presence outside RIMPAC. On In Depth with Francis Rose, he explains why it's not a huge surprise.
July 29, 2014 -
The Pentagon's main IT provider shuttered its large data center in Huntsville, Alabama. in May, leaving only 10 of its large Defense Enterprise Computing Centers in its inventory. The mission of those remaining DECCs, however, is growing, not shrinking.
July 25, 2014 -
Suicides among active-duty military rose this year compared with the same period last year, but Pentagon officials indicate more service members are seeking help through hotlines and other aid programs. Pentagon documents obtained by The Associated Press show there were 161 confirmed or suspected suicides as of July 14, compared with 154 during the same time frame in 2013. The increase was among the Air Force and Navy, while soldiers and Marine suicides went down.
July 23, 2014 -
U.S.-Russia tensions over Ukraine haven't yet impacted the flow of critical rocket engines to the U.S. space program, but that could change at any time. The military's top space official says another reason to get going on an American-made alternative is to sustain a deteriorating portion of the defense industrial base.
July 23, 2014 -
The F-35 is back in business, at least on a limited basis. The military is allowing some flying capabilities. It was grounded back in June when part of the engine of a U.S. Air Force F-35 A-model broke apart and ripped through the top of a jet as it prepared for take-off. As a result, the plane will not fly in the Farnborough International Airshow in England.
July 16, 2014 -
The Air Force will offer early retirement and buyouts to civilian personnel, in order to eliminate nearly 3,500 positions, officials announced Monday. The service estimates the cuts will save the Air Force $1.6 billion over the next five years.
July 15, 2014 -
Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl has a desk job. This ends the formal phase of his transition from Taliban prisoner back to active duty soldier. This opens the door to an Army investigation into his disappearance and his 5 years in captivity. It's not clear when Bergdahl will face Army investigators, whose finding will determine whether he has to face charges or any other disciplinary action.
July 14, 2014 -
Congress has approved $8 billion for 26 inland waterway improvement projects. But, many of those projects won't be completed for another 50 to 60 years. The Army Corps of Engineers is looking to speed up the process through public private partnerships.
July 14, 2014