The Defense Department’s U.S. Cyber Command is adding on new appointees to its organization. Rear Adm. Sean Filipowski will serve as the new deputy director of operations, replacing Rear Adm. Jan Tighe, who will become the next director of decision superiority in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. …
Read More »DoD Invites Employees to Join New IT Exchange Program
The Defense Department is welcoming its civilian employees and private-sector IT professionals to join its Information Technology Exchange Program, which provides defense IT programs and initiatives as well as many other opportunities. This is all in an effort for DoD to share best practices and help private-sector employees gain better …
Read More »New Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Addresses DoD on His First Day
In a letter to the Department of Defense on his first day as the new defense secretary, former CIA Director Leon Panetta assured the president, U.S. troops and the department’s civilian employees that he would lead the DoD’s mission to protect U.S. citizens and the country’s interests around the world. …
Read More »Sluggish Economy Tightens DoD Budget
The continuing downturn of the economy is affecting this year’s DoD budget. At the recent 2011 Defense Logistics Agency Industry Conference and Exhibition, Undersecretary of Defense Robert F. Hale had a very dim view of the future growth of the defense budget. “There’s a rule of thumb that says you …
Read More »In Afghanistan, Smaller Force Equals Need for ‘More Capable’ Force, Carter Says
The Defense Department’s acquisition czar said as the U.S. prepares to draw down forces in Afghanistan, the need for a more capable and better equipped force is even more crucial. Ashton Carter, undersecretary of defense for acquisitions, technology and logistics, at a Defense Logistics Agency conference in Columbus, Ohio, said …
Read More »DoD Spending Could be Source of Compromise in Debt Limit Negotiations
In the continuing deficit-cutting talks, surrounding if and how Congress will vote to authorize an increase in the debt ceiling, The Washington Post reported recently Republicans and Democrats may have eyed a slice of the budget pie they can agree needs to be cut: military spending. As the debt-limit drama …
Read More »Panetta Has Work Cut out at Pentagon
Soon-to-be Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has his work cut out for him. While current Secretary Robert M. Gates, who retires at the end of the week, has earned accolades for making a dent in many of the important issues facing the Defense Department, others remain. Gates said recently that when …
Read More »DoD’s Lynn Takes Page from History on Launch of Advanced Manufacturing Partnership
Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III helped launch last week a new $500 million-dollar government initiative aimed at bolstering “advanced manufacturing,” by bringing together private industry, academia and the government to invest in new and emerging technologies. The new program will help create a new class of high-tech manufacturing …
Read More »Gates as Pentagon Change Agent: Low-key, but Crucial
When Robert M. Gates was named defense secretary at the end of 2006, the former CIA chief was thrust into the midst of the debate about sending more troops to quell the insurgency in Iraq. Now, after serving longer in his Pentagon post than all but four of his predecessors …
Read More »Panetta, Pentagon Prepare for Old Switcharoo
Following the unanimous vote in the Senate yesterday to approve CIA Director Leon Panetta as the next defense secretary, the Pentagon is preparing for the top transition as Robert Gates retires at the end of the month. DoD has launched a transition team headed by Marcel Lettre, principal deputy assistant …
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