Ideas

The ‘Brass Ceiling’ Is Still Alive and Well in the US Military

A key lawsuit that fights for women in combat is still moving through the courts. By Greg Jacob

Business

Hagel Approval Rating Just 26 Percent Among National Security Workers, Troops

Defense Secretary Hagel’s logs a rock-bottom approval rating among his own workers as Obama reportedly considers cabinet shakeup. By Gordon Lubold

Policy

House, Senate Wrestle Over Troop Pay Increase

The House version of the fiscal 2015 defense authorization bill is nearly double the proposal in the Senate. Which version will win out is still up in the air. By Kellie Lunney

Threats

US Troops Leave Helmand Province in Afghanistan

American and British forces pulled out of the province, effectively ending operations in one of most violent parts of the country. By Adam Chandler

Business

Does the VA Have a Women Veterans Problem?

Both inside and outside of the department, there's one consensus: the VA has a long way to go to gain the trust of female veterans. By Jordain Carney

Ideas

More Than 6,000 Afghan Interpreters Are Stuck in Bureaucratic Limbo

Unless lawmakers act soon, the U.S. program to get Afghan translators to safety will end on Dec. 31. By Emerson Brooking and Janine Davidson

Business

Concerned About Retaliation, VA Wants To Restrict When Vets Can View Disability Claims Online

Officials are worried that some veterans could become violent if they believe that their disability claims are being denied. By Jordain Carney

Ideas

A New Army Drawdown: This Time Is Far Worse

We know we cannot predict the future, but we know our Army—active, Guard Reserve, civilians and contractors—will be needed again and again as we move forward. By Ret. Army Gen. Gordon Sullivan

Business

From War To Work

A multiagency effort is helping veterans make the transition to civilian life. By Charlie Clark.

Business

Review Finds the Military’s Health System Is Good, But Far from ‘World-Class’

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s comprehensive review of the military’s health system yielded mixed results one year after it was rolled out. By Ben Watson

Ideas

How Retirement Threatens the Pentagon's Future Weapons

Can the Defense Department make the necessary adjustments to backfill its aging cadre of technical experts? By Rear Adm. Michael Moran and Scott O'Neil

Business

VA Will Increase Pay for New Doctors, Dentists

As part of its recruitment effort to hire more healthcare professionals, new VA doctors and dentists could earn as much as $35,000 more than the current salary ranges. By Kellie Lunney

Business

Here's A Chart Showing 30 Years of Military Pay Raises

Civilian federal employees appear headed for a 1 percent pay raise for fiscal year 2015. The fate of military pay, however, is still in limbo. By Eric Katz

Business

The VA Is Struggling To Fill 'Tens of Thousands' of Jobs

VA Secretary Bob McDonald is looking for 'tens of thousands' of new health professionals to help move the department past its crisis of confidence with the public. By Kellie Lunney

Business

New VA Chief Vows 'Patience' and 'Respect' When Firing Executives

Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald says quick action is needed to lose the department's bad apples, but due process must be a component. By Eric Katz

Science & Tech

How Genes Could Predict Who Will Get PTSD

Can you predict post-traumatic stress disorder before it starts? By Patrick Tucker

Ideas

With Shrinking Budgets, Pentagon Should Rely More on Guard, Reserve Troops

The Pentagon must think more creatively about how to structure and when to use reserve forces. By Ret. Lt. Gen. David Barno

Business

The Army Will Lay Off 500 Majors This Month

The involuntary separations are part of the Army's plan to downsize to 490,000 soldiers by the end of 2015. By Eric Katz

Business

Pentagon's Civilian Workforce Could Face New Performance Evaluations

The Pentagon plans a do-over for its poorly-received civilian pay and performance evaluation system from 2006. Will this attempt be any better than the last? By Eric Katz

Policy

Senate Panel's 1 Percent Troop, Civilian Pay Raise Now Faces House Hurdles

A more modest pay raise for troops and defense civilians looks safe in the Democratic-controlled Senate. But how will it fare in the Republican-controlled House? By Kellie Lunney