Coronavirus
Republicans Rehash Vaccine Mandate Policies In NDAA Amendments
House Armed Services Committee markup adds legislation aimed at helping troops who refused the COVID-19 vaccine.
CEOs Downplay Anticipated Gridlock on Capitol Hill, Defense Spending Cuts
Lockheed, Raytheon chiefs also say pandemic-era supply-chain woes are subsiding.
Pentagon Rescinds COVID-Vaccine Mandate
The move was required by the 2023 defense policy bill. Troops who were ejected for refusing the vaccine may petition for a change in their discharge status.
Pentagon Scrambles to Prep New COVID Rules as Vaccine Mandate Nears End
Vaccine-refusal separations are on hold as DOD develops “further guidance.”
Ending COVID-Vax Mandate Would Divide Troops into Two Classes, Navy Secretary Says
The military would consist of “those that can’t deploy and those that can deploy. And that creates all sorts of problems,” Carlos Del Toro told lawmakers.
GOP Senators Agitate for Vote To Repeal Vaccine Mandate for Troops
Sen. Paul said 20 senators have pledged to vote against moving the defense policy bill forward unless their amendment is brought to the floor.
Vax Refusal Poised to Deepen National Guard’s End-Strength Shortage
The Guard is missing its goals for the first time in several years, and worse is expected to come.
Nuclear vs. Conventional Spending? We Don’t Have that Luxury
The call to boost one at the expense of the other is wrong.
Inflation, Supply Problems Could Push F-35 Cost Higher Than Expected, Lockheed Says
Negotiations continue on three batches of jets—Lots 15 to 17—that were expected to be finalized last year.
Defense Secretary, Joint Chiefs Chair Rebuff Claims Vaccine Mandate Hurts Recruiting
GOP lawmakers try to pin recruiting, retention misses on DOD’s COVID requirements.
Teleworking DOD Civilians May Be Recalled to In-Person Work
Two years after the pandemic sent DOD into “maximum telework,” Thursday’s memo points the way toward a new new normal.
Insights & Reports
700 Guardsmen Set to Help If Truckers Block DC Roads
One convoy organizer said they plan to shut down the Capital Beltway.
Army To Begin Involuntary Separations for 3,300 Soldiers Who Refused COVID Vaccine
Another 5,870 soldiers have pending exemption requests.
Court Hits Pause on Vaccine Mandate for DOD, Other Federal Employees
A judge said Biden overstepped his authority in imposing the mandate, which has led more than 97% of feds to get fully or partially vaccinated.
DOD Grants First Religious Waivers for COVID Vaccine
Two Marines are the first successful applicants among the 18,500 U.S. troops who have sought exemption from the vaccination mandate by citing religious beliefs.
Featured eBooks
2021 Top Ten: COVID
Vaccines arrived, but so did vaccine refusal and new variants. And a two-year Army effort may produce the best vaccine yet.
2021 Top Ten: Policy
From domestic extremism to China's challenges to lingering Mideast operations, defense leaders had their hands full.
2021 Top Ten: Business
Industry hailed the Pentagon's cashflow assistance as personnel and supply-chain woes mounted. Now inflation might be the biggest concern.
