Business
The US Military Is Shedding Civilian Jobs. It Has No Idea How Much Money It’s Actually Saving
The Government Accountability Office wants to make sure the military isn’t letting employees go without a true accounting of the costs.
Ideas
Getting Past Grudging Precautions: How the Next President Should Address Climate Change
The U.S. Navy’s former weatherman-in-chief says gradual progress must turn into serious high-level action.
Science & Tech
The Military’s Supermarket Goes Shopping for Better Encryption
Computer-generated passwords are stored beside personal and financial data. Security should be tighter than that, a report from the Defense Commissary Agency says.
Ideas
Three Takeaways from Carter’s Recent Meeting with His Indian Counterpart
A long-awaited agreement finally clears the way for logistics cooperation. Just don’t call it 'basing.’
Science & Tech
The US Military Will ‘Be Left Behind’ If It Doesn’t Embrace Open-Source Software, Report Says
Amid a rising China and Russia, the Pentagon’s slow pace on the software front could cost it tactically for years to come.
Ideas
‘Autonomy’: A Smart Overview of the Pentagon’s Robotic Plans
But the long-awaited Defense Science Board study tiptoes around the question of armed autonomous systems.
Science & Tech
There’s a Big Loophole in the Pentagon’s Guide to Eavesdropping
The new rules reflect a shift in intel-gathering from phone-tapping to capturing conversations on the internet.
Science & Tech
Pentagon Wants to Automate Social-Media Checks on Clearance Holders
The program would analyze public posts to help determine an employee's suitability for Defense Intelligence Agency classified work.
Science & Tech
The Pentagon’s Massive IT Consolidation Plan Is In Trouble
Defense officials can’t project the program's cost because of its complexity, and because officials can’t even agree what is or isn’t included.
Science & Tech
After Delay, New Air Force Tanker Successfully Refuels C-17
The Boeing-made plane, with some new hardware, successfully refueled a C-17 during a test Tuesday night.
Ideas
Obama Asked the Military For A Plan to Protect Civilians. Here’s One.
We learned through experience the importance of preventing civilian casualties in today’s wars.
Science & Tech
Check Out The US Military's Sandbox of Silly-Putty That Predicts Disasters and War
Analysts are using what they call a ’tangible landscape' to predict the path of everything from forest fires and floods to movement of adversaries in war games.
Policy
The Pentagon Will End Its Ban on Transgender Americans
A formal announcement is expected some time in July.
Science & Tech
The Pentagon Is About to Launch A Big Database for Screening National Security Workers
The new DISS will merge two tools as part of the effort to reform the security clearance process.
Science & Tech
Defense One Tech Summit: In Review
Did you miss our first-ever Defense One Tech Summit? Catch the whole thing, start to finish, right here.
Ideas
Carter Proposes 'Huge' Pentagon Personnel System Overhaul
The defense secretary unveiled major proposals that would reform the military's 'up or out' promotion system and allow civilian recruiters to bypass the traditional federal hiring process.
Ideas
It’s Time to Declare Our Independence from Russian Rockets
Attention, Congress: there are a range of alternatives to the RD-180, none of which run through Moscow.
Ideas
Revamp the International Officer Training Program Before Inviting Nations Like Myanmar
For 40 years, the U.S. program has helped strengthen ties with partner nations and their rising military stars. More can be done.
Policy
Pentagon to Cut Secretary's Staff By 300—In Four Years
Mandated 1,600-job cut will come via relocations, attrition.
Science & Tech