Business

DOD's Commissary Cuts Would Start a 'Death Spiral,' Pentagon Union Warns

The Pentagon's largest employee union wants to stop Congress from enacting a DOD plan to cut subsidies for the Defense Commissaries Agency by more than $4 billion.

Business

Lawmakers Get Lost in the Math of Reforming Military Benefits

The business of reforming the military's compensation system got very confused very quickly during a Wednesday House Armed Services subcommittee hearing.

Ideas

What the Military Compensation Commission Must Do To Succeed

History shows that policymakers listen to blue ribbon defense commissions when they’re done right – like this one was.

Ideas

How Reforming Benefits Could Undermine the Pentagon's Future

The Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission's recommendations are appealing to reformers. But here's how they could actually end up doing irreversible harm to the all-volunteer force.

Threats

US Cyber Command Has Just Half the Staff It Needs

The Pentagon wants to fully staff its Cyber Command with 6,000 workers by the end of the year, but a highly competitive private market could mean it will have to wait.

Ideas

A New Diagnosis for Combat Nightmares

Soldiers returning from duty often experience vivid dreams, night sweats and other symptoms commonly classified as PTSD, but a new condition may be more accurate.

Business

White House Requests Modest Pay Increase for Troops and Civilians

The Obama administration's fiscal 2016 plan would give troops a slight increase in pay over last year's 1 percent bump while federal workers would receive their highest pay raise in six years.

Policy

Military Compensation Reform Commission Prompts a Divisive Debate

Thursday’s recommendations to overhaul military personnel system will set the stage for scrutiny on an outdated system.

Business

VA Announces Major Department Realignment

By June 30, the Veterans Affairs Department plans to streamline its fragmented bureaucracy into a single, five-region national framework. By Kellie Lunney

Business

The Pentagon Has No Idea How Many Employees It Needs

Defense headquarters offices were asked to reduce their budgets 20 percent by 2019. So far, the Pentagon cannot say how it will meet that goal. By Eric Katz

Business

Hagel: Budget Uncertainty Is the Biggest Challenge Facing the Military

In his last address to the troops, Hagel returned to Fort Bliss, Texas, where his military career began in 1967. By Marcus Weisgerber

Ideas

What Fallows Missed About the Military-Civilian Gap

Why there is a gap between the military and America is as important as how it occurs. By Mark Seip

Business

How the Navy Plans To Keep Its Most Ambitious Young Sailors

The Pentagon's manpower system is drifting away from the expectations of its service members and the Navy's unorthodox methods may be the answer. By Jesse Sloman

Business

Most Troops Will See More Money Next Year

The Pentagon announced increases in basic pay, housing and food allowances. By Kellie Lunney

Business

Air Force Cancels Its Plans for Layoffs in 2015

The Air Force planned to carry out involuntary separation boards to meet budgetary requirements. This week, the plan changed. By Eric Katz

Business

Retaliation Against Victims of Military Sexual Assault Still Persists

The Pentagon’s report to the president on sexual assault shows progress – except on retaliation against victims. By Molly O’Toole

Business

Military Pay Raise Set for 1 Percent

The final version of the fiscal 2015 defense authorization bill, which the House could vote on this week, includes a 1 percent pay raise. By Kellie Lunney

Ideas

What It Means To Kill in Combat

After more than a decade of war, the military still prepares its recruits to kill far better than it prepares them to carry the confusion and doubt that can follow. By Phil Zabriskie

Policy

Military Suicides Decline, But Continued Failures Hold Lessons for Future Wars

To win the wars of tomorrow, we must understand the ways we are continuing to fail our troops today.

Business

Navy May Allow Sailors To Take a Break From the Military

The chief of naval personnel says the service needs to adapt to the changing job market. By Marcus Weisgerber