Jared Serbu covers the Department of Defense for Federal News Radio. Jared's reports can be heard Monday - Friday on the Federal Drive and In Depth.

Mandatory breathalyzer tests coming to Navy, Marine Corps

The alcohol screening program is part of a sweeping realignment of personnel and readiness programs in the Department of the Navy.

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Army acquisition dysfunction is a 'myth,' leaders argue

Army modernization leaders say they've gotten a bad rap on acquisition, and they claim it's undeserved. They point to several wartime success stories, and say they're implementing suggested reforms.

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Bill aims to overhaul wartime contracting

New legislation aims to implement some recommendations of the Commission on Wartime Contracting. Includes provisions that would automatically suspend contractors accused of wrongdoing in overseas contingency scenarios.

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GOP cyber bill takes hands-off approach to industry

Eight Republican lawmakers on Thursday introduced an alternative to a comprehensive cybersecurity bill the Senate expects to vote on soon. GOP senators say their approach avoids additional bureaucracy and encourages information sharing.

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Air Force aims to turn cyber into a career

With cyber skills in high demand, military and General Schedule pay scales can't possibly compete with industry paychecks. The Air Force hopes to compete by letting airmen make a career out of cyber.

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GOP lawmakers question fairness of DoD pay and benefit cuts

Members of Congress complain that DoD's budget cuts don't do enough to trim civilian personnel spending.

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Navy struggles to find the way ahead on big data

The Navy is in the early stages of trying to figure out how to move from a net-centric view of its information systems to one that focuses on the data itself. The service is looking to the experiences of the intelligence community to improve data tagging and data sharing.

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DHS defends social media monitoring program

DHS officials said they're only monitoring Twitter and Facebook to get situational awareness of the homeland security situation. Congress seems unconvinced. Privacy group wants lawmakers to take action to stop DHS.

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Congress pushes back against another round of BRAC

DoD officials say as the number of troops shrink so should their real estate holdings. Lawmakers are wary about reducing troop and bases levels too much, and the expense of the Base Realignment and Closure process.

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DoD to issue new civil liberties guidance

Michael Reheuser is the director of the Defense Privacy and Civil Liberties Office, that oversees the Defense Department's compliance with the Privacy Act, which has been largely unchanged since 1974.

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Updated: DoD to quadruple TRICARE fees for higher-earning retirees

The personnel proposals included in the 2013 Defense Department budget include hikes to healthcare fees, cutbacks in both uniformed and civilian personnel. DoD also plans to save money through continued efficiencies and plans to increase the acquisition workforce.

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More than half of Air Force personnel cuts to come from National Guard

The Air Force plans to further reduce its ranks by 9,900 airmen as part of DoD's overall budget reductions. The personnel cuts tilt heavily toward the Air National Guard.

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GOP plan cuts fed pay, workforce to save DoD from sequestration

GOP senators unveiled a bill Thursday that would grant the Defense Department a one-year reprieve from "sequestration" cuts. House minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) called the proposal "skullduggery."

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In Army Reserve, clearing out 'deadwood' will make room for best and brightest

The Army Reserve wants to make it easier for soldiers in the active component of the Army to make their way back and forth to the reserve components. To do it, the Reserve will raise its standards for those who continue to serve.

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National Guard, Reserves to play key role in reducing size of military

The National Guard and Reserve will be key to implementing the Pentagon's plans for "reversible" cuts to military ground forces, the Defense Department's top policy official said Monday. DoD is still trying to figure out the best ways to keep at least part of the reserve component in an operational status after 10 years of war.

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Air Force cuts personnel to meet revised mission

The Air Force expects to cut its end strength by roughly 10,000 under the new DoD strategy the Pentagon revealed last week. Also the Army's service chief indicated DoD plans to ask Congress for two more rounds of base realignments and closures.

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Raises, bases are potential victims of DoD budget cuts

The Pentagon begins the process of revealing its budget plan for fiscal year 2013. The proposal includes the scaling back of several weapons systems, savings on personnel costs, along with an assurance from top DoD officials that even though the military will be smaller, it will be more agile and more capable.

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Army praised for management turnaround at Arlington cemetery

The investigative agency that originally detailed huge management problems at Arlington National Cemetery a year and a half ago says there's been a dramatic improvement. The challenge now is maintaining the momentum.

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DoD would change strategy even without budget pressure, Pentagon says

Declining budgets are a factor, but not the only factor in DoD's new strategic guidance. In this week's edition of On DoD, Pentagon spokesman George Little and Capt. John Kirby tell Federal News Radio the department would be implementing a new strategy with or without today's fiscal pressure.

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DoD's audit goals achievable, Congressional inquiry finds

A special House panel finds DoD's audit plan is credible, but successful implementation will depend on commitment of Defense components and future leaders.

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