Latest news with #DOD
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
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Pentagon targets fewer moves for troops to trim PCS costs
Military members should be moving less frequently for greater stability — and to save taxpayers' dollars, according to defense officials who have set the process in motion for those reductions. In a memo announced Wednesday, Pentagon officials ordered the military service branches to cut in half the amount of money they spend on permanent change-of-station, or PCS, moves by fiscal 2030. DOD spends about $5 billion a year on these moves, which include the physical moves of household goods as well as allowances and other entitlements related to moving. The services are required to develop plans within four months to reduce the moves, so it's not yet clear how many actual moves will be cut to achieve those savings. Officials will target 'discretionary moves,' such as PCS moves within the United States, overseas and individual service member training travel. The services are directed to reduce these discretionary move budgets by 10% in fiscal year 2027, 30% in fiscal 2028, 40% in fiscal 2029 and 50% by fiscal 2030. The reductions will be based on the fiscal 2026 budget, adjusted for inflation. 'Lower-priority PCS moves should be reduced for service members and their families seeking greater geographic stability,' wrote Jules W. Hurst II, acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, in the memo. The services must determine which PCS moves 'are most critical to support operational requirements and key professional development,' he wrote. About 80% of DOD PCS moves are in the discretionary category and 20% in the mandatory category, said Tim Dill, acting deputy under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, in a briefing to reporters. Reducing the frequency of moves will improve the quality of life for service members and their families, Dill said. Military families often face challenges related to making PCS moves every few years, ranging from issues with shipping their household goods to securing housing. Families also navigate disruptions in military spouses' employment, difficulty finding child care, children's school transitions and finding new providers for special needs family members. Do military families really need to move so much? Military advocates, including the nonprofit Military Family Advisory Network, have argued that the frequency of military moves must be evaluated. 'We have seen the intersection between the frequency of moves and key quality-of-life concerns ranging from food insecurity to loneliness,' said Shannon Razsadin, CEO of the nonprofit Military Family Advisory Network. 'We're encouraged by the immediate changes outlined by Secretary Hegseth,' Razsadin said, including the Pentagon's separate effort to temporarily increase the reimbursement rates for families moving themselves amid problems with the new Global Household Goods Contract. At times, Congress members have expressed interest in reducing the number of PCS moves. Various efforts within DOD have been made to study the issue, but no large-scale actions have been taken. Military officials have argued that the frequency of PCS moves is necessary to meet operational requirements and fill empty jobs. Hurst's memo also directs service officials to propose various career path changes for officers and noncommissioned officers in ways that promote geographic stability. The services are tasked with proposing changes that could allow some officers and NCOs 'to specialize in lieu of gaining generalized experience across a range of functions,' according to the memo. The services will consider how they can provide 'broadening opportunities and continuing leadership opportunities without the need for a PCS move,' Dill said. DOD isn't dictating to the services the way they should accomplish the changes, he said, and there will be room for discussion about whether the budget cuts are feasible during the time frame. 'We want them to come back and tell us if that seems like the right number for them,' Dill said. 'On top of being efficient from a fiscal perspective, the other goal of this policy … is to ensure that this works well for service members and their families.' The effort is not exclusive to service members with dependents, Dill said, and will not increase the burden on single service members. 'We understand that PCS moves affect everyone and so this is not a policy where we just think we need to take the moves away from the families and put it on someone else,' he said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
DOGE can now review most unclassified Pentagon contracts
The Pentagon announced this week that the Department of Government Efficiency will now get a chance to assess nearly all unclassified contracts before they're awarded. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a memo published Wednesday that the office, created by the Trump administration and billionaire Elon Musk, may now review solicitations, requirements and cost estimates for new contracts and modifications. The order excludes requirements packages for overseas contingency operations, contracts with performance outside the U.S., and awards under $1 million. The authority will initially apply to communications and utilities contracts, advisory and assistance services and professional support services. The directive adds another step to what many already see as a cumbersome Defense Department acquisition process. The document does not lay out what authority DOGE will have to alter or cancel awards, though it does put some administrative restrictions on the timeline for DOGE's involvement, giving the office just two days to conduct a review. President Donald Trump established DOGE on his first day in office to 'maximize government efficiency and productivity.' The office, which is not a Cabinet-level entity, has been met with mixed reviews, facing accusations of inflated savings claims and cuts motivated by ideology rather than frugality. Agency leads like Hegseth have praised the cuts as helping reduce federal spending. Some lawmakers, including Republicans like Rep. Don Bacon, R-NE, have expressed reservations about DOGE's 'rash' decision making, despite supporting its underlying mission. Democrats have widely criticized the efforts, which have slashed funding for foreign aid, gutted the federal civilian workforce and reduced spending on basic research. In a video posted on X Wednesday, Hegseth said DOGE has uncovered more than $10 billion in savings and cost avoidance at the Pentagon. Much of that total — which includes both obligated funds and projected future spending — has come from canceling large management and consulting contracts. 'We're committed to reducing bloated bureaucracy and wasteful spending in factor of increased lethality,' he said. 'That's a tradeoff I will take every day — converting consultants into combat power.' Along with his memo empowering DOGE to review military contracts, Hegseth issued another directive barring acquisition offices from issuing new IT consulting or management services contracts unless the requirements can't be met in-house or provided by a 'direct service provider.' It would also significantly limit what contracts the department may issue for advisory and assistance services. The memo, also published Wednesday, says DOD entities should rely more heavily on the department's internal, full-time workforce and should only use contractors for roles that are not inherently governmental or for tasks that can't be performed by DOD employees. 'While we rely on our vital industrial base to deliver cutting-edge technology and support, we must in-source more expertise and harness the unparalleled talent of our existing experts to drive financial efficiency and operational strength,' Hegseth said in the memo. 'We will become lean and mean, eliminating wasteful practices and reallocating resources to fortify our strategic edge.' That heavier reliance on in-house expertise comes as the Pentagon implements an 8% cut to its civilian workforce and could put more strain on the personnel that remain.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Militarizing America's southern border is a slippery slope
A mere four months into the second Trump administration, the U.S. military has been hurled into an unprecedented and dangerous role as a police force along designated stretches of the U.S.-Mexico border. This has not received as much attention as other components of the administration's immigration policies, but it will come at great cost to American principles and security. This uncharted territory for the U.S. military began almost immediately after President Donald Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border on Jan. 20 and directed the Defense Department to '[obtain] operational control.' Additional units began arriving at the border, and the number of service members deployed to the border will reach almost 10,000 once an additional 1,115 active duty troops arrive. Meanwhile, high-end assets designed to track and defend against sophisticated adversaries were repositioned into the area, a temporary holding area for migrants was established at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and military transport aircraft removed migrants from the United States. Pentagon approves 1,100 more troops for southern border mission Each deployment and announcement has been accompanied by visual reminders that the U.S. military now has an increased — and unprecedented — responsibility for securing the southern border. Border security is inextricably linked to national security and the territorial integrity of the United States, and previous administrations have also supplemented Department of Homeland Security missions with DOD support. But the U.S. military's role in border security has historically been extremely limited, for important reasons. Since Jan. 20, the border has swiftly militarized in a manner that is unsustainable yet politically advantageous. As such, the U.S. military will find it hard to unwind its participation. Deployments to the border come at the expense of other operations and exercises that only the military can perform to defend the country, including deployments to the Indo-Pacific designed to deter Chinese aggression. The Department of Homeland Security will assume the DOD well is never dry, and continue to ask DOD for support that eclipses previous asks and pushes boundaries in alarming ways. This is the entire point of subsequent presidential orders that probe the seam between the roles that U.S. troops traditionally fill at the border, such as detection and monitoring, and those assigned to civilian law enforcement agencies (LEAs), with their apprehension and detention authorities. An April 11 presidential memorandum paved the way for the U.S. Army to designate two stretches of land contiguous with U.S. Army installations, Fort Huachuca and Fort Bliss, as new 'national defense areas' where the military can apprehend trespassers and hand them to LEAs. Thus, through a series of memos and delegations of authority, U.S. service members have been thrust into apprehending and temporarily detaining migrants within the new zones. This effectively sidesteps the Posse Comitatus Act (PCA), which prevents the military from directly engaging in civilian law enforcement, except under certain limited circumstances. PCA is a firewall against the U.S. military morphing into a force for internal security or suppression of Americans. The administration's legal end-run is being met with some initial skepticism in the courts, with a judge dismissing trespassing charges against immigrants in these zones. But notwithstanding this relief, service members are being asked to police in their own country, albeit not against Americans. This is simply not a role for which they are trained and equipped. Nor do the facts on the ground support this mission creep. Border crossings, which were dropping at the end of the Biden administration, are reportedly down to historic lows, according to the Pentagon. A smaller military footprint could now support DHS at the border. Instead, we may see these troop deployments, expanded authorities and blurred military-police roles become the norm at the border — or stretched from the border into the interior of the country. At that point, the American people may find themselves wondering when and how they should have spoken out. Caroline Zier served as the deputy chief of staff to former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the Biden administration.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
The Inner Circle acknowledges, Laura Scolarici as an Inner Circle Lifetime Member
WARRENTON, Va., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Laura Scolarici is acknowledged as an Inner Circle Lifetime for her contributions to Driving Strategy, Building Teams, and Leading with Purpose in Government Contracting. Laura Scolarici has carved a respected path in the government contracting industry, where her leadership, communication skills, and operational expertise continue to make a lasting impact. As a Senior Director with TS/SCI clearance, she manages a diverse portfolio of federal, Department of Defense (DOD), Intelligence Community (IC), and state government contracts. With up to 200 employees under her leadership, Ms. Scolarici has developed a reputation as a dynamic mentor and a trusted thought leader in systems engineering, integration, data analysis, and program execution. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting (2000), Ms. Scolarici attributes much of her professional success to her ability to engage, inspire, and listen. Known for her powerful communication style and high-level credibility, she thrives in roles that require clear vision, strategic execution, and strong partner engagement. Her work has included managing DOD pipelines and clearance-based projects, while actively advising government entities on mission-aligned business development opportunities. In addition to her operational leadership, Ms. Scolarici serves on the Board of Directors for the Fauquier Community Child Care (FCCC), where she helps guide the organization's strategic direction, supports fundraising initiatives, and advocates for accessible, high-quality child care services within the community. Away from work, she finds joy and balance in spending quality time with her two daughters, ages seven and ten. A passionate Jeep Wrangler enthusiast, she enjoys adventurous outings that reflect her energetic and forward-moving approach to life. Looking ahead, Ms. Scolarici plans to launch her own company within the government consulting sector—an endeavor that aligns with her entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to leadership. Her guiding philosophy remains simple yet powerful: "Show up with a smile, lead with confidence, and stay grounded in humility." Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, editorialteam@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Inner Circle Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Palantir gets great news from the Pentagon
It's been an excellent past two quarters for Palantir Technologies () , and things only seem to be getting better. The multi-faceted tech company, once seen purely as a data analytics play, has emerged as a leader in the software field, bringing artificial intelligence (AI) tools to the booming defense technology market. This new status has made it one of the past year's biggest breakout stocks, particularly within the AI market. 💵💰💰💵 As some of the tech sector's most prominent AI stocks have struggled amid rising uncertainty, Palantir has demonstrated strong resilience. This has kept it in focus as investors consider the best ways to play the ever-evolving AI market. Palantir's progress has been largely driven by its lucrative defense contracts, including a $30 million software deal from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). But the company recently revealed something else that indicates demand for its services is still rising. For years, Palantir has benefited from defense contracts as the U.S. government has recognized the military applications of its technology. In recent months, however, speculation has risen that Palantir founder and chairman Peter Thiel's ties to Elon Musk serve to help the company procure even more federal certainly seems to be the case, even as Musk prepares to scale back his work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Pentagon has revealed that it will significantly increase the budget for Palantir's Maven Smart System to $1.3 billion over the next four years, an increase of roughly $795 million. Launched in 2017, Project Maven is an initiative by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to integrate AI and machine learning into military technology. This includes using AI to analyze significant amounts of data and images from satellites, drones, and sensors to track and detect potential threats. Now, the DOD seems to believe it will have considerably more use for Palantir's technologies concerning mission support systems (MSS), as it has significantly increased its budget for software licenses. An official from the department recently issued the following statement: 'Combatant commands, in particular, have increased their use of MSS to command and control dynamic operations and activities in their theaters. In response to this growing demand, the [Chief Digital and AI Office] and Army increased capacity to support emerging combatant command operations and other DOD component needs.' More Palantir News: Palantir leader has shocking take on Elon Musk and DOGE Analysts reset Palantir stock forecast amid rally Venture capital leader has harsh words for Palantir As Defense Scoop reports, though, few details have been provided regarding the MSS deployment, specifically which groups will gain access to the new software licenses. However, other reports indicate that this additional funding has been designated for U.S. combatant commands that oversee military operations. This new focus on software license spending from the DOD is a clear catalyst for Palantir, which stands to benefit significantly. The company has contacts with the U.S. Army, Air Force, Space Force, and Navy for its Maven Smart System software part of the DOD with a clear interest in Palantir's technology is the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), which has maintained operational control of Maven's geospatial intelligence aspects since 2022. The combat support agency recently awarded the company a $28 million contract to expand Maven access for its analysts. NGA Director Vice Admiral Frank Whitworth recently stressed the importance of the Maven Smart System as a key component of the agency's plans, noting the speed and space provided by AI integration. 'Everyone dives in on this…our own experts, Palantir's experts, even experts from the combatant commands,' he recently stated. This focus from the Pentagon is likely to help Palantir solidify its position as a top player in the defense technology and AI spaces. Experts such as Wall Street veteran Stephen Guilfoyle have touted its potential in this area, highlighting it as a likely winner as the Trump administration doubles down on both gets great news from the Pentagon first appeared on TheStreet on May 27, 2025
