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Bob Brewin

Editor at Large Bob Brewin joined Government Executive in April 2007, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience as a journalist focusing on defense issues and technology. Bob covers the world of defense and information technology for Nextgov, and is the author of the “What’s Brewin” blog.
Results 2111-2120 of 2545

Oh, AHLTA is a Proper Noun

February 24, 2009 FROM NEXTGOV arrow Last week I referred to AHLTA, the Defense Department's electronic health record system, as an acronym that stood for Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application system. It did when AHLTA was introduced in 2005. But, comments on the post have shown me the error of my ways. These comments cited ...

Mullen's Thumb Drive Road Show

February 23, 2009 FROM NEXTGOV arrow Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, seems to be using trips to bases nationwide to reinforce his view on thumb drives and removable media. In the process, he is dribbling out piecemeal information about the reasons for the ban that the Defense Department previously did not ...

Tax-Free Computers For College Students

February 20, 2009 FROM NEXTGOV arrow Buried deep in conference report for the The 2009 American Recovery and Investment Act, is a goody for anyone attending college this year or next -- a tax write off for computer purchases. Section 1005 of the bill, found on page 526 of the Conference Report, allows a full tax ...

A New VistA for AHLTA, Redux

February 20, 2009 FROM NEXTGOV arrow I'm picking up strong and high level signals that Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki plans to push the Defense Department to use the VA's Veterans Health Information System and Technology Architecture (VistA) electronic health record system instead of the Military Health Systems Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA) system. ...

Official says Defense can save millions with in-house satellites

February 20, 2009 FROM NEXTGOV arrow The Defense Department could save a total of $600 million from fiscal 2010 to fiscal 2016 by shifting much of the traffic currently handled by commercial communications satellite operators to Wideband Global System satellites, a top Pentagon official told Nextgov. Commercial satellite operators disagreed, and said they can provide capacity ...

Casting the 'Net for a Replacement

February 19, 2009 FROM NEXTGOV arrow Dr. S. Ward Casscells, assistant secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, has used the Military Health Systems Web site both as a bully pulpit and a two-way communications tool with corpsmen, medics, doctors and nurses worldwide since he took the job April 2007. Now, Casscells is using the site to ...

Big IT projects for agencies tucked inside stimulus package

February 19, 2009 FROM NEXTGOV arrow One of the biggest winners among federal agencies in the mammoth economic stimulus bill President Obama signed on Tuesday is the State Department, which will receive $290 million to strengthen information security and modernize its networks. The 2009 American Recovery and Investment Act directed State to work with the U.S. ...

Actor Kilmer's Nasty Take on 'Nam Vets

February 18, 2009 FROM NEXTGOV arrow Val Kilmer -- the actor who has portrayed Jim Morrison in the movie "The Doors," Batman in "Batman Forever," Moses in "The Prince of Egypt," and a naval aviator in "Top Gun" -- now has his eyes on a new real life role, governor of New Mexico. Kilmer, who has ...

DISA Lands Ning CEO

February 17, 2009 FROM NEXTGOV arrow Some folks may look at the Defense Information Systems Agency as the antithesis of techno-cool. But, it sure has latched on to a speaker for its Customer Care conference in April who embodies cutting edge social networking technology: Gina Bianchini, chief executive officer of Ning, a company she co-founded in ...

Mullen says Defense thumb-drive ban to remain in effect for now

February 17, 2009 FROM NEXTGOV arrow The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said last week the Defense Department's ban on thumb drives will not be lifted anytime soon. Adm. Mike Mullen, speaking to enlisted personnel of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y., said the Defense ban on thumb drives and other removable ...