Defense Management
Hegseth leaves Iran war’s timeline in Trump’s hands
The Pentagon is focusing on operational objectives for success, leaving out Trump’s calls for “unconditional surrender” and an “acceptable” new leader.
A year into Hegseth’s cuts, Defense civilians report ‘degraded performance’ and low morale
And the hiring freeze is still keeping overseas workers from taking new jobs stateside.
Why the US went to war without a plan to evacuate DOD civilians, contractors, and others
A diplomatic veteran cites operational secrecy—and describes how things might have gone better.
Bipartisan lawmakers worried about shaky progress on modernized government worker background check system
The IT system undergirding the overhauled background check program is nearly a decade behind schedule and billions over budget.
Nearly all civilian Defense employees are back in the office, but watchdog says officials should better track telework eligibility
Employees who are still teleworking are mostly exempt from the in-person work requirement.
The revolutionary new weapon in the Pentagon’s pocket — and why it matters now more than ever
COMMENTARY | The launch of comprehensive acquisition transformation will lift the burdens keeping U.S. companies from being as agile and responsive as possible.
Pentagon would have to explain future JAG firings under NDAA provision
The compromise version of the defense policy bill reflects lawmakers’ concern about Hegseth’s February purge of three judge advocates general.
Hegseth hints at higher defense budgets as OMB says another reconciliation bill is possible
Analysts had warned that the $156 billion reconciliation bill might lead to efforts unsustainable without more money.
Hegseth broke rules, DODIG concludes, even though he said Yemen strike details were ‘safe to declassify’
Inspector general’s Signalgate report arrives two months after SecDef alleged the office had been “weaponized.”
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.”
Exclusive
Hegseth fired the Air Force’s top lawyer. The JAG who took on the job is stepping away.
It’s been eight months since the service had a Senate-confirmed leader in the role.
Featured eBooks
Hegseth, Vought actions heighten fears about continued inspector general independence
Lawmakers from both parties and good government groups have argued that recent moves by the Trump administration will chill whistleblowing and watchdog offices.
Hegseth uses unprecedented meeting to unveil 10 personnel, due-process reviews
After summoning senior officers from around the world, the Defense secretary invites them to resign if they don’t agree with him.
Navy CIO Jane Rathbun announces departure from civil service
Rathbun told Nextgov/FCW earlier this year that one of her priorities as CIO was transforming the U.S. Navy into a more data-centric organization.
Pentagon asks to move $150M to speed up Air Force One by 2 years
The move is part of DOD’s $5.4 billion omnibus reprogramming request.
Defense tech office cuts staff down to 40
The cuts to the Defense Technical Information Center are intended to refocus it on “its core statutory mission” according to a Pentagon spokesperson.
Air Force using Sentinel money to retrofit Qatar jet
The move won’t further delay the troubled ICBM program, SECAF says.
Lawmakers rip into defense secretary over flat Pentagon budget
The Pentagon is counting on one-time funds from a reconciliation bill to fund investments in shipbuilding and missile defense.
Hegseth wants to insource work—but doesn't understand why it was outsourced
COMMENTARY | The Defense Department’s recent contracting directives are sweeping, but will they be successful?
Air Force says Qatar jet retrofit will cost less than $400M
Other defense officials have estimated it could be over $1 billion.
