Government Executive - Authors - Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.http://www.govexec.comen-usFri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400For soldiers, coming home can be as hard as leavinghttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2010/09/for-soldiers-coming-home-can-be-as-hard-as-leaving/32362/The strain on military families does not end when the troops return from Iraq or Afghanistan.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2010/09/for-soldiers-coming-home-can-be-as-hard-as-leaving/32362/DefenseEric S. Swist/APObservers debate role, authority of intelligence chiefhttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2010/05/observers-debate-role-authority-of-intelligence-chief/31575/Whatever Dennis Blair's personal problems as director of national intelligence, the role is inherently awkward.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2010/05/observers-debate-role-authority-of-intelligence-chief/31575/DefenseArmy modernization project faces uncertain futurehttp://www.govexec.com/oversight/2009/03/army-modernization-project-faces-uncertain-future/28752/With a new administration and a worsening economy, there is unprecedented pressure to trim the complex and expensive Future Combat Systems.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2009/03/army-modernization-project-faces-uncertain-future/28752/OversightAnalysts debate feasibility of Obama's Iraq withdrawal planhttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/12/analysts-debate-feasibility-of-obamas-iraq-withdrawal-plan/28221/The president-elect laid out a 16-month exit plan during the campaign, but it comes with a lot of caveats.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500http://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/12/analysts-debate-feasibility-of-obamas-iraq-withdrawal-plan/28221/DefenseCandidates have not tipped their hands on defense spendinghttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/10/candidates-have-not-tipped-their-hands-on-defense-spending/27828/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.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/10/candidates-have-not-tipped-their-hands-on-defense-spending/27828/DefenseArmy struggles toward goal of wi-fi infantryhttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/09/army-struggles-toward-goal-of-wi-fi-infantry/27755/The service wants soldiers to be able to share text, photos, video, electronic maps and other data while on the move.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/09/army-struggles-toward-goal-of-wi-fi-infantry/27755/DefensePilot program may overhaul treatment of veteranshttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/07/pilot-program-may-overhaul-treatment-of-veterans/27284/Pentagon-VA program takes aim at a bureaucratic redundancy.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Fri, 18 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/07/pilot-program-may-overhaul-treatment-of-veterans/27284/DefenseFormer Clinton Navy secretary discusses post-Bush defense policyhttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/07/former-clinton-navy-secretary-discusses-post-bush-defense-policy/27276/The Pentagon needs "creative destruction" of some of its programs, says Richard Danzig.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/07/former-clinton-navy-secretary-discusses-post-bush-defense-policy/27276/DefenseMcCain, Obama share some views on securityhttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/07/mccain-obama-share-some-views-on-security/27238/Both want more troops on the ground and both reject many of President Bush's policies; differences emerge on nuclear weapons, defense spending and the priority placed on the war in Afghanistan.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/07/mccain-obama-share-some-views-on-security/27238/DefenseVeterans groups seek funding in advancehttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/06/veterans-groups-seek-funding-in-advance/27083/Groups want the VA to get its health care money on day one of each fiscal year, instead of dealing with routine delays in the budget process.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/06/veterans-groups-seek-funding-in-advance/27083/DefenseMarine Corps seeks return to its role as a naval forcehttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/05/marine-corps-seeks-return-to-its-role-as-a-naval-force/26883/After fighting alongside the Army in Iraq for five years, the Corps now needs new -- and expensive -- equipment.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/05/marine-corps-seeks-return-to-its-role-as-a-naval-force/26883/DefenseWear and tear adds up on military aircrafthttp://www.govexec.com/federal-news/2008/03/wear-and-tear-adds-up-on-military-aircraft/26543/New F-22 and F-35 fighter aircraft are coming onstream, but the Air Force and Navy will be flying many 20-to-50-year-old planes for the foreseeable future.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/federal-news/2008/03/wear-and-tear-adds-up-on-military-aircraft/26543/NewsOn the sea and in the air, military bills come duehttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/03/on-the-sea-and-in-the-air-military-bills-come-due/26532/Air Force planes and Navy ships are reaching the end of their work lives, but current conflicts pinch new purchases.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2008/03/on-the-sea-and-in-the-air-military-bills-come-due/26532/DefenseAs military begins to draw down, National Guard ramps uphttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/12/as-military-begins-to-draw-down-national-guard-ramps-up/26005/Overall force levels in Iraq returning to pre-surge levels, but Guard units are mobilizing in large numbers.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Wed, 26 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500http://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/12/as-military-begins-to-draw-down-national-guard-ramps-up/26005/DefenseThin line separates aggressive fighting from war crimeshttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/10/thin-line-separates-aggressive-fighting-from-war-crimes/25504/The somewhat ambiguous rules of warfare make the snap judgments that combat requires even more difficult.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/10/thin-line-separates-aggressive-fighting-from-war-crimes/25504/DefenseAir Force’s commitment to new bomber a matter of debatehttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/08/air-forces-commitment-to-new-bomber-a-matter-of-debate/25115/The service has said it will fly upgraded version by 2018, but analysts aren’t sure how serious the effort is.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/08/air-forces-commitment-to-new-bomber-a-matter-of-debate/25115/DefenseBoeing stands to make a comeback at Air Forcehttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/04/boeing-stands-to-make-a-comeback-at-air-force/24132/Company has a decent chance of winning tanker and cargo plane contracts, despite procurement scandal several years ago.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/04/boeing-stands-to-make-a-comeback-at-air-force/24132/DefenseNew style of war key to success in Iraqhttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/03/new-style-of-war-key-to-success-in-iraq/24036/Changes in how Humvees are used, rather than in the vehicles themselves, may help reduce death rates.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/03/new-style-of-war-key-to-success-in-iraq/24036/DefenseIraq burden shifts from reserves to regular active duty troopshttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/02/iraq-burden-shifts-from-reserves-to-regular-active-duty-troops/23760/The Guard and Reserves may have a bigger role in Iraq in 2008, leaving this year as one to regroup.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Fri, 16 Feb 2007 00:00:00 -0500http://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/02/iraq-burden-shifts-from-reserves-to-regular-active-duty-troops/23760/DefenseMedals for military valor rarely in the spotlighthttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/01/medals-for-military-valor-rarely-in-the-spotlight/23514/The rate at which such medals are awarded has dropped well below that during the Vietnam War and World War II.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Wed, 17 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0500http://www.govexec.com/defense/2007/01/medals-for-military-valor-rarely-in-the-spotlight/23514/DefenseFuture tanks could surprise criticshttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2006/09/future-tanks-could-surprise-critics/22742/New vehicles are likely to be more agile and fuel efficient, but heavily armed.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Wed, 20 Sep 2006 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2006/09/future-tanks-could-surprise-critics/22742/DefenseInfantry transformed by new tools, traininghttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2006/04/infantry-transformed-by-new-tools-training/21661/The average infantryman now carries 65 to 90 pounds of equipment into combat.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Mon, 24 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0400http://www.govexec.com/defense/2006/04/infantry-transformed-by-new-tools-training/21661/DefenseAs reservists come home, Pentagon shifts burden to regular forceshttp://www.govexec.com/defense/2006/03/as-reservists-come-home-pentagon-shifts-burden-to-regular-forces/21339/National Guard and Reserve troops filled the gap in Iraq while the regular Army underwent a radical overhaul.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Fri, 10 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0500http://www.govexec.com/defense/2006/03/as-reservists-come-home-pentagon-shifts-burden-to-regular-forces/21339/DefenseAir Force aims for fresh image with public affairs overhaulhttp://www.govexec.com/federal-news/2006/02/air-force-aims-for-fresh-image-with-public-affairs-overhaul/21198/Officials tapped to fill top posts in expanded communications shop are cargo pilots with limited press experience.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Fri, 17 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0500http://www.govexec.com/federal-news/2006/02/air-force-aims-for-fresh-image-with-public-affairs-overhaul/21198/NewsVA medical system earns high customer satisfaction ratingshttp://www.govexec.com/management/2006/02/va-medical-system-earns-high-customer-satisfaction-ratings/21153/Survey fails, however, to capture large number of veterans without access to care.Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.Fri, 10 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0500http://www.govexec.com/management/2006/02/va-medical-system-earns-high-customer-satisfaction-ratings/21153/Management