March 18, 2024

DoD: Percentage of Women in Military Rises

Women

The number of service members in the US military declined last year by 2.7%. A total of 2,077,630 service members were in the active-duty and selected reserve population — a decrease of 58,282 from 2021, while the percentage of women in the military inched upward. The DoD’s 2022 Demographics Profile of the Military Community found that since 2005, the percentage of active-duty military women has increased by 2.9% while the percentage of women in the selected reserve has risen by 4.4%.

Powell Remembered as Soldier, Trailblazer, Statesman

Powell

Former secretary of state Colin Powell was remembered Monday as a trailblazer and trusted adviser to presidents. Powell died on Monday. He was 84.

Pentagon: Afghanistan Withdrawal Complete

Pentagon

 America’s 20-year war ended as the last plane with US troop left Afghanistan at about 3:29 pm Monday.

US in Final Stages of Evacuations in Kabul

The withdrawal of Americans and other US allies is in its final stages, amid more threats of terrorism in Afghanistan. President Joe Biden said over the weekend that another terrorist attack is “highly likely.”

US Ramping Up Evacuation Efforts

Evacuation Efforts

Biden faces global pressure to extend Afghanistan evacuation efforts as Taliban warns: extending the deadline means “extending the occupation … [which] will provoke a reaction.”

Navy Challenges: China, Culture, Climate, COVID

China

China, culture, climate, and COVID. These are the four main challenges facing the US Navy, says NavSec Carlos Del Toro in his statement to the fleet.

Audit: 41 Navy Subs Lacked Cybersecurity Inspections

Subs

A Naval Audit Service report finds that many submarines of Naval Submarine Force Pacific did not receive the required cybersecurity inspections in recent years. Inspections of 41 submarines and two tenders were not conducted as required from 2016 to 2018, and the Navy Fleet Cyber Command failed to document the reasons why the inspections didn’t take place.

Del Toro Confirmed As Next NavSec

Carlos Del Toro, a retired Navy commander and businessman, was confirmed over the weekend as the 78th secretary of the US Navy and the second Hispanic American to lead the department.

Navy Implements New Fire Safety Practices

VADM Roy Kitchener said he is encouraged by new fire safety protocols for ships undergoing maintenance in port. He said among the changes the Navy has invested in fire detection systems and added industrial-environment safety training at surface officer school.

IG: Security Issues With Military 3D Printing

3D

A July 1 DoD Inspector General’s report finds the military is not doing enough to secure its 3D printing technology. The report says that service members are miscategorizing the military’s additive manufacturing programs and leaving them vulnerable to cyberattacks.