March 28, 2024

Secret SEAL Sub Has Secret Collision

A secretive Navy SEAL “Delivery Vehicle,” or SDV, secretly suffered a secret collision with a fixed object during secret training on Oct. 24. The SDV, basically a mini submarine launched from a bigger submarine, ferries SEALs on missions.

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Dire Recruitment: Navy Hikes Enlistment Age

Dire recruiting realities prompted the Navy to raises its maximum enlistment age from 39 to 41. Under the change, 41-year-olds must report to recruit training by their 42nd birthday and cannot have previously served in the military.

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Space War College Goes to Hopkins

The Space Force becomes the first branch of the US armed forces to leverage a private university rather than create a new war college. Starting next July, Johns Hopkins will offer a 10-month, accredited professional military education program that draws on its world-renowned courses in international studies and engineering.

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13% Decrease in FY’22 Defense Contracting

fy17 budget cuts

Federal contract spending declined by 7% in fiscal 2022, driven largely by a 13% decrease in defense spending, which offset the 5% increase in contract spending among civilian agencies.

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SpaceX’s 1st Classified Payload Launched

SpaceX launched its Falcon Heavy rocket with its first national security payload – two classified satellites that are part of the Space Force’s USSF-44 mission. It is the Falcon Heavy’s first launch since 2019.

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US Defends Affirmative Action Citing Military

Arguing before the Supreme Court to uphold affirmative action, the government included service academies and civilian institutions alike, noting among other defenses of the inclusive policy: that a diverse officer corps is necessary for national security.

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Still Time for Overseas Absentee Ballots for Nov. 8

June Primary

Service members, their family members, and overseas US citizens voting by absentee ballot still have time to get their votes counted in the Nov. 8, 2022 midterm elections. If you’ve requested the absentee ballot and have yet to receive it, download the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot, or FWAB, which works as a backup ballot.

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Navy Brings Sail Drones to Mid-East Exercise

Three unmanned sail drones, and seven manned ships  participated last week in the largest exercise so far of unmanned vessels operating with crewed ships in the Persian Gulf, The Saildrone Explorers, are commercially available watercraft powered by wind and solar panels. The Navy wants them to help patrol the vast waters in the Middle East, through which much of the world’s trade transits.

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Carter Remembered for Opening Military to Women

Former DEFSEC Ash Carter, who died this week of heart attack at age 68, is remembered for his order to open to women all military jobs, including combat assignments. The decision came after years of study by military leaders and strong opposition from conservative groups.

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Did Fat Leonard Gut Navy’s Pacific Leadership?

Fat Leonard cost the US Navy $35 million, and also some experienced Pacific leadership at a critical juncture. His arrest has produced at least 33 federal indictments and 22 guilty pleas. “China could never have dreamt up a way to do this much damage to the US Navy’s Pacific leadership.”

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