Defense
Candidates have not tipped their hands on defense spending
The next administration will face hard choices in areas such as weapons purchases and Army modernization, but so far neither presidential hopeful has offered a clear agenda.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: DuPont, German company win lightweight battery contest
Defense held yearlong competition to reduce by as much as 75 percent the weight of batteries needed to power high-tech devices in battle.
Defense
Army touts flexibility of modernization program
Recent adjustments, including a new focus on infantry brigades, have helped assuage some congressional concerns.
Defense
Security experts call for improved public communications
Panel says next president needs to ensure that public warnings are based on solid information and are sent based on urgent need.
Defense
Dems want DHS to target criminal illegal immigrants
Immigration and Customs Enforcement ordered to spend $1 billion on effort this fiscal year.
Defense
Both parties court military veteran candidates as wars continue
At least 52 veterans ran as non-incumbents in House and Senate primaries across the nation.
Defense
Defense auditors express optimism about new job standards
Under heavy criticism, agency nixes all but one of 19 performance measures and creates new ones.
Defense
Obama adviser targets weapons costs, lack of oversight
Richard Danzig says missile defense and the Army's Future Combat Systems modernization project should be monitored.
Pay & Benefits
Homeland Security scraps plans for personnel system
Stopgap funding measure signed Tuesday prohibits department from moving forward with proposed pay-for-performance system.
Defense
ADVICE+DISSENT: Intelligence File Set in Stone
As the Bush era winds down, spy masters leave their mark.
Defense
An oral history of Iraq and Afghanistan
The lowdown on an effort to conducted in-depth interviews with military service members about their experiences in recent military operations.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: ODNI: Trade-off information security for good intel
Director of National Intelligence issues security directive that could change how agencies build, validate and approve IT systems.
Defense
Pentagon drops plans to convert union employees to NSPS
Official says current plan is to convert only Defense’s 205,000 non-bargaining unit employees to new pay system.
Defense
Coast Guard awards patrol boat contract to fill critical void
Award is service’s first major procurement under its new acquisition directorate.
Defense
Bush order allows direct hiring of military spouses
Order approving noncompetitive appointments to civil service jobs follows State of the Union pledge to expand benefits for military families.
Defense
From Nextgov.com: Turnaround in case management system marks CIO’s tenure
Retiring Zalmai Azmi says a phased approach and more training in project management have been key to Sentinel’s success.
Defense
Army struggles toward goal of wi-fi infantry
The service wants soldiers to be able to share text, photos, video, electronic maps and other data while on the move.
Defense
Defense finalizes changes to pay system rules
Unions will consider filing suit over the new regulations if the next presidential administration doesn’t repeal the system entirely.
Defense
Senate panel approves policies for release of sensitive documents
Bill would establish a Controlled Unclassified Information Office within the National Archives and Records Administration.
Defense