The U.S. Marine Corps has revised a logistics doctrine first published in 1997 in an effort to align its conceptual framework with current warfighting principles.

The Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 4, Logistics covers the branch’s increasing use of data and information technology, as well as other global challenges in expeditionary force sustainment, the service said Tuesday.

In the new version, cyberspace and space have been included in the five operational domains of the Marine Corps. It discusses how cyberthreats can disrupt the service’s logistics, and emphasizes the need for Marines to have an in-depth understanding of these threats.

The doctrine also highlights the importance of employing emerging technology in order to build a resilient physical network. Technology can strengthen both physical and virtual security and prevent logistical intrusion, according to MCDP 4.

MCDP 4 “represents a significant update to our logistics doctrine,” said Lt. Gen. Edward Banta, USMC deputy commandant for installations and logistics. “It provides a common framework for all Marines involved in logistics operations and will help ensure that we are able to sustain our operations in the most effective and efficient manner possible.”

The Department of Defense has published its Biomanufacturing Strategy, a collection of guidelines related to the emergence of this new approach to manufacturing, which uses biological mechanisms in its processes.

Built on three pillars, the strategy will inform research activities, industry partnerships and relationships with allies within the growing field, which is expected to have a considerable impact on U.S. national security and economic competitiveness, the DOD announced on Tuesday.

Heidi Shyu, under secretary of defense for research and engineering and a three-time Wash100 Award winner, noted the National Defense Strategy’s push for the DOD to “seed opportunities in biotechnology” to maintain a technological advantage.

“The strategy’s principles will define the path we must take to not just develop advanced technologies, but turn them into advanced capabilities that meet national security needs,” she added.

Efforts to incorporate biomanufacturing processes into the production of fuels, chemicals and construction materials are quickly progressing. In the future, biomanufacturing may also allow for the development of biologically-based environmental sensors and wearable technology as well as materials with new characteristics.

As part of the strategy, the DOD aims to establish transition partners for early-stage innovations by making sure that emerging science is focused on capabilities that can assist operational commanders with reaching mission goals. The strategy also calls for the creation of a “self-sustaining domestic biomanufacturing ecosystem,” to meet defense demands and support an enduring competitive advantage.

To better understand the biomanufacturing industry as it changes and expands, the DOD will also prioritize the collection of data to guide future investments and minimize risks associated with the new field.

The Potomac Officers Club will be hosting its 9th Annual Defense R&D Summit on March 23, which will connect numerous experts to examine the current challenges and priorities shaping the defense R&D landscape. To learn more and register to attend, please visit the Potomac Officers Club events page.

The Department of Labor will open the online Contractor Portal for its second annual Affirmative Action Program compliance certification for federal contractors and subcontractors.

DOL’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs will grant access to vendors under its jurisdiction beginning March 31, three months before the certification’s June 29 deadline, the agency said Monday.

Affirmative Action Program requirements aim to ensure equal employment opportunity for the workforce and applicants of federal contractors. The companies are mandated to report their program coverage periods in the certification.

The Contractor Portal was launched in December 2021 to provide a secure method for the vendors to certify their compliance.

“This online tool will make the process more efficient and promote greater contractor attention to their responsibility to evaluate employment practices and remove barriers to opportunity,” OFCCP Director Jenny Yang commented.

A study conducted by the Defense Business Board suggests that the Department of Defense must be as committed as the private sector in embracing a civilian talent pipeline to fill gaps in its workforce and retain competent employees.

The seven-month research, which was published Friday, involved interviews with more than 25 officials across all DOD components, as well as talent acquisition professionals from industry.

Federal retirements, pay gaps and a rise in power competition are some of the challenges faced by DOD in creating a civilian talent pipeline, according to DBB. The agency currently employs 950,000 non-combatant workers, which support warfighter readiness through various roles.

DBB found that unlike the private sector, which considers recruitment as the lifeblood of their operations, DOD does not prioritize civilian hiring. Its process is also varied in different divisions, and many of human resource teams lack the tools and resources.

To attract more applicants, DOD must transform into an “employer of choice,” according to the study. The agency can leverage its strengths, such as growth and learning opportunities, and the uniqueness of its mission to lure potential civilian workers.

The board also recommended establishing an official civilian recruitment unit and a civilian service brand that can focus solely on finding and retaining talent.