Personnel

FBI Director Kash Patel waived polygraph tests for deputy, senior staff

No previous deputy director has received access to some of the country’s most sensitive secrets without passing a standard bureau background check, insiders say.

Feds should get at least most backpay by Nov. 19, administration says

Lawmakers added a provision for full backpay after the White House suggested it might illegally prevent workers from getting their money.

DOGE veteran could bring much-needed change to Navy research, observers say

New ONR chief Riley did defense-reform work at McKinsey, former officials say.

Longest shutdown in history creating a readiness hole of unknown proportions

The heads of several military professional organizations came together to beg Congress to open the government.

As drones proliferate, Army pilots worry about their future. Will a new approach to flight school help?

The service is shedding aviation units and working to turn initial helicopter training over to industry.

At NSA, a leadership vacuum and staff cuts threaten operations and morale

"That’s what happens when your boss disappears, and then some of your lead unicorns also disappear,” one person said.

Memo lays out path to removing even more defense civilians from their jobs

The department, which has met its 8-percent overall reduction goal, is now going after “low performers.”

Marine Corps axes plan for third littoral regiment, ready to move on medium landing ship

Halfway to 2030, the service’s latest Force Design update teases upcoming “capstone concept.”

Senators challenge Hegseth’s bottleneck on communications with Congress

The Senate Armed Services chairman said new limits in a recent memo “may need to be clarified.”

Defense civilians, other feds abroad fret about making rent during shutdown

Some employees say their foreign landlords have little sympathy for their “U.S. issue.”