U.S. Army Pfc. Ethan Loudermilk, and Pfc. Jacquavious Cook, assigned to 82nd Airborne Division, conduct checks on an Air Launched Effect (ALE) before launching it on Oct. 14, 2021, during Project Convergence 21 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. U.S. Army / Sgt. Marita Schwab
The Army Brief: Vaccine mandate delay; Project Convergence; Tracking brain injuries; and more...
Welcome to The Army Brief, a weekly look at the news and ideas shaping the service’s future.
Vaccine mandate delayed for contractors. Defense contractors now have until January to get fully vaccinated, after the White House moved next week’s deadline to prevent job losses before the holiday season, Defense One reports. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., also wants a suspension of the vaccine mandate for troops, saying in a press release that it hurts readiness.
Modernization in the desert. Project Convergence 2021 is happening now in New Mexico and Arizona, and Defense One Radio has a great overview of the Army’s part of the Joint All-Domain Command and Control effort.
Brain injuries not tracked. U.S. Central Command did not report or track traumatic brain injuries as required following a missile attack in Iraq last year that injured more than 100 troops, Army Times reports. The lack of records could mean the troops miss out on benefits and care after they leave the military.
Sign up to get The Army Brief every Friday morning from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. On this day in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln relieved Gen. George McClellan of command for not being more aggressive against the confederates in the Battle of Antietam.
From Defense One
The Defense Policy Bill Is Late Again. This Year, the GOP Is Blaming Democrats // Jacqueline Feldscher: Four of the past 10 NDAAs passed the Senate in November or December.
North Korean Uranium Mining Picked Up From 2017 to 2020 // Patrick Tucker: Satellite photos show accelerated mining efforts but the meaning of the activity is still unclear.
‘Nine Eyes’? Bill Would Look at Adding Four Countries to Intel-Sharing Pact // Tara Copp: Lawmaker says current ‘Anglophile view’ is insufficient against China.