Federal Drive Show Blog – February 25, 2014

On the Federal Drive show blog, you can listen to our interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day, as well as links to other stories...

This is the Federal Drive show blog. Here you can listen to our interviews, find more information about the guests on the show each day, as well as links to other stories and resources we discuss.

Today’s Interviews:

Dr. Allen Benson
Professor and Library Director
U.S. Naval War College

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It’s been called “the most authoritative source on the Pacific War available anywhere.” The Navy revealed the 4,000-page war diary of Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz to the world last night in an online event. Dr. Allen Benson is professor and library director at the U.S. Naval War College.

Jim LeCollier /Jeanette Kennedy (pictured)
Individual Rations Branch Chief /Senior Food Technologist on the Combat Rations Team
Defense Logistics Agency /Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center

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Many years have passed since the last U.S. service member had to down the contents of a K-ration can. The meal-ready-to-eat, or MRE, has revolutionized field rations over the past couple of decades. But the people behind the MRE never rest. They’re always taking in soldier input, creating new menus and trying to please the battlefield palate.

The most recent breakthrough — pizza. Jim LeCollier is the individual rations branch chief at the Defense Logistics Agency, and Jeanette Kennedy, is senior food technologist on the Combat Rations Team, part of the Combat Feeding Directorate of the Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. They talk about the latest developments in the MRE.

John Palguta
Vice President for Policy
Partnership for Public Service

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The Partnership for Public Service has mapped the future of federal Chief Human Capital Officers. The nonprofit starts with the premise that employees are agencies’ most important resource. Partnership Vice President for Policy John Palguta fills in the details.

Erik Wasson
Staff Writer
The Hill Newspaper

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President Barack Obama is proposing a 1 percent pay raise for federal employees in his fiscal 2015 budget. That’s one of the details coming out now, a week before the President formally submits his plan to Congress. Erik Wasson covers the budget for The Hill Newspaper.

Jason Miller
Executive Editor
Federal News Radio

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A powerful congressman drafts a bill to change the Homeland Security Department’s buying practices. Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) wants to add new layers of oversight. He’s frustrated by what he calls “wasteful spending” at the largest civilian agency. Federal News Radio’s executive editor, Jason Miller, got a hold of Duncan’s draft bill.

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Jared Serbu
DoD Reporter
Federal News Radio

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The Army would shrink to its smallest size since before World War II, under the President’s 2015 budget proposal. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel gave a preview. He outlined shrinkage of the entire military enterprise and cutbacks to the benefits now enjoyed by service members. As Federal News Radio’s Jared Serbu reports, the Pentagon says it’s trading size for military readiness.

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Heard Tom and Emily talk about another story during the show, but don’t see it here? Check out our daily federal headlines for the latest news affecting the federal community.

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