The Army Brief: Sexual assaults increase at academies; NATO troop plans; Lack of industry competition; and more...

The Army Brief: Sexual assaults increase at academies; NATO troop plans; Lack of industry competition; and more...

Welcome to The Army Brief, a weekly look at the news and ideas shaping the service’s future. 

Sexual assaults at military academies. Last year saw the highest number of sexual assault and harassment reports at the U.S. military academies since the Defense Department started collecting data on this issue, Defense One reports. The three military academies had a total of 131 reports of sexual assault or harassment during the 2020-2021 academic year, a roughly 50 percent increase from the previous academic year. 

Battlegroups assemble. Russia’s military buildup near Ukraine’s border is leading NATO to plan for more troops on its eastern flank, Defense One reports. France offered to lead a new battlegroup in Romania, and plans for more troops in the Black Sea region are also being worked out.

More contractors, please. A new report raises concern about the dwindling number of major defense contractors and the lack of competition in the defense industrial base, Defense One reports. The report also recommended strengthening merger oversight and increasing new entrants to the defense industry. 

Sign up to get The Army Brief every Friday morning from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. On Feb. 17, 1862, legislation was introduced to create a Medal of Honor for enlisted soldiers. In July, it was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln, and in 1863, officers were made eligible for the medal.

From Defense One

What's Taking So Long? Rename Those Confederate Bases // Kevin Baron

It shouldn't be this hard or require this political theater to do what's right, right now.

Biden Says Russia Will Attack Within 'Several Days;' Blinken Lobbies For Peace at UN // Tara Copp and Jacqueline Feldscher

Russians "edge closer to that border," with troops, combat aircraft, ships, and blood supplies, says Austin at NATO HQ.

Satellite Images and Experts Challenge Russian Withdrawal Claims // Patrick Tucker

Photos show attack helicopters, jets, troops moving toward forward positions near Ukraine in the midst of aggressive legislative actions in the Russian assembly.