DefenceTalkThe government shutdown did not stop the official opening Oct. 1 of the Defense Health Agency, a major streamlining effort of military medicine that has been in the works for three decades and signed into law earlier this year. “This day has been a long time in coming, and represents a major milestone in the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-defense-health-agency-to-streamline-functions-49317/

DefenceTalkThe Scotland analysis paper on Defence, published today, highlights the extent to which an independent Scotland benefits from the £34 billion annual UK defence budget, one of the largest in the world. The complex and integrated nature of the UK’s defence capabilities mean that an independent Scotland would have real difficulties trying to replicate a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-scotland-analysis-paper-on-uk-defence-49306/

DefenceTalkOn October 1, the Capitol Hill weekly Roll Call ran a ridiculous commentary by an anti-nuclear activist arguing that the Navy was seeking a budgetary “bailout” at the expense of its sister services to buy more ballistic-missile submarines than it needs. The boats would replace the current Ohio class of subs, which provide the most […]https://www.defencetalk.com/why-fielding-fewer-than-twelve-ballistic-missile-subs-could-be-disastrous-for-america-49282/

DefenceTalkIn a joint statement today, U.S. and Japanese diplomatic and military leaders agreed to revise the 1997 Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation, increase security and defense collaboration in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, and advance the realignment of American troops in Japan. Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met with […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-japan-agree-to-expand-security-defense-cooperation-49280/

DefenceTalkThe Defense Department and other government agencies responsible for national security will carry out their missions despite the government shutdown, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Oct. 1 here. The secretary, traveling in the Asia-Pacific region this week for high-level meetings here and in Japan, sat down with reporters traveling with him to explain what is […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-says-national-security-assured-during-shutdown-49270/

DefenceTalkWith the U.S. government failing to pass a fiscal 2014 budget, all tuition assistance for classes starting on or after Oct. 1 will be suspended until further notice. As a result, effective immediately, the ability to apply for TA through the Air Force Virtual Education Center is on hold. “Airmen with approved TA for FY14 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/no-fy14-budget-tuition-assistance-suspended-49268/

DefenceTalkThe partial shutdown of the U.S. federal government means there is no money for foreign military assistance, delaying support for long-time allies like Israel. Deputy State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said that because there is no federal budget for the new fiscal year, there is no funding for foreign military financing, international military education or […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-government-shutdown-will-delay-military-funding-for-israel-49262/

DefenceTalkThe US military’s bureaucratic watchdog on Monday accused companies building the F-35 fighter of shoddy management that could jeopardize the reliability, performance and cost of the aircraft. The Pentagon inspector general cited 363 problems in the design and manufacture of the costly Joint Strike Fighter, the hi-tech warplane that is supposed to serve as the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-f-35-jet-plagued-by-shoddy-quality-control-audit-49237/

DefenceTalkOne after another yesterday in a hearing before a House panel, the nation’s service chiefs described how severe budget cuts required by law in fiscal year 2014 would slash their forces, capabilities and readiness and raise security risks to the American people. The House Armed Services Committee heard testimony on planning for sequestration in fiscal […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-military-service-chiefs-detail-2014-sequestration-effects-49136/

DefenceTalkIt’s official. The leadership of this country including the major media outlets have lost their collective minds. Yesterday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff testified before the House Armed Services Committee that if sequestration continues, they could not say with confidence that the U.S. military could successfully handle even one serious conflict! Not a war on […]https://www.defencetalk.com/does-anyone-care-about-the-fate-of-the-us-military-49127/