Defense
Pentagon’s Ambitious Goal: Launch a Weapons Program in Just 12 Months
The defense acquisition undersecretary is looking to rapid capabilities offices as models for more formal programs.
Management
EPA Promises Not to Silence Scientists, Pushes Review of Climate Change Assumptions
Pruitt pledges public EPA debate next year on human role in climate change.
Nextgov
Defense Department Appoints Acting CIO
The department taps its chief cybersecurity officer to lead the CIO shop.
Oversight
Zinke Travel Records Hint Helicopter Use Was Steered by Political Schedule
FOIA releases to Politico show aides rejecting car travel as time-consuming; Interior press office says the secretary was attending official events.
Pay & Benefits
One Chart Showing Every Military and Civilian Pay Raise Since 1984
Since 2000, military pay raises have been either higher than or equal to civilian ones.
Nextgov
NGA Launches Bold Recruitment Plan to Hire Silicon Valley's Best
The intel agency is hacking hiring rules to fill three new digital teams in its quest for data dominance.
Management
Motivating Employees Isn't About Making Them Happy
The expectation that leaders should keep employees engaged and happy sets them up for failure.
Management
A Psychologist Explains The Best Ways To Cope With Conflict Over The Holidays
There are dozens of holidays between now and January. Here's how to survive all that family time.
Oversight
How Much Will We Find Out About Trump's Health?
The president isn’t required to undergo neurological tests or to share the results.
Oversight
Play of the Day: Donald Trump Jr.'s Attorney-Client Privilege With His Father
The president is not a lawyer. Nor is his son.
Route Fifty
U.S. Mayors Push for Dream Act by Year’s End
Democratic senators signaled they’re willing to increase border security to get a deal done, so long as a “pathway to citizenship” is assured and additional immigration enforcement provisions tabled.
Nextgov
Lawmakers to VA: “We’ve Got Your Back” on $10B IT Contract
Congress expressed its support for VA's electronic health records contract with Cerner, but promised to keep a close watch on its implementation.
Pay & Benefits
Tillerson Promises No Layoffs at State
Reducing staffing by 8 percent could prove difficult amid thousands of hiring freeze exceptions.
Route Fifty
Seeking Solutions for the ‘Water Infrastructure Death Spiral’
It’s a problem communities can face when populations and property values decline.
Management
Congress Passes Two-Week Spending Bill, but Shutdown Fears Mount
Immigration issues could derail negotiations to fund the government for the rest of fiscal 2018.
Nextgov
80 Small Businesses To Get A Spot On Alliant 2
The small business portion of the contract vehicle is valued at a maximum $15 billion.
Management
Disaster Responses Brought Out Federal Agencies’ Best, Leaders Say
Senior executives hear how SBA and Homeland Security showcased leadership principles.
Management
The Best Time Of Day To Get Things Done, According To Data
What we know about productivity patterns by the hour, day, month, and season.
Management
The Humane Way to Fire Someone
Firing someone will be an event you will quickly move past, but for the other person, the impact could last an entire career.
Pay & Benefits