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Rep. Sarah Elfreth Advocates for Pentagon to Track Civilian Suicides in Defense Policy Bill

Rep. Sarah Elfreth Advocates for Pentagon to Track Civilian Suicides in Defense Policy Bill

Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-3rd) is pushing for an amendment to the annual defense policy bill that would mandate the Department of Defense to collect data on suicides within its civilian workforce. This initiative comes after a series of five suicides over five weeks in June and July at Fort Meade, involving individuals supporting U.S. Cyber Command and the National Security Agency. Currently, the Pentagon is required to track suicide data for uniformed service members and their families but not for its civilian employees. Elfreth, a freshman lawmaker on the House Armed Services Committee, emphasizes the need for comprehensive mental health support for all personnel at Fort Meade, including service members, civilians, and contractors. She also seeks to clarify the Pentagon's definition of a suicide cluster and require the military to report all troop and civilian suicide deaths occurring within specific timeframes. The Banner Montgomery initially reported on these deaths and Elfreth's proposal. Additionally, El...
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Maryland Delegation, Including Rep. April McClain Delaney, Requests $11 Million for U.S. Cyber Command Mental Health Program

Maryland Delegation, Including Rep. April McClain Delaney, Requests $11 Million for U.S. Cyber Command Mental Health Program

A bipartisan group of Maryland lawmakers, including U.S. Representatives April McClain Delaney, Steny Hoyer, Sarah Elfreth, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, and Johnny Olszewski, along with Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, has formally requested an $11 million program increase for U.S. Cyber Command. This funding is intended for high-performance team training under Budget Activity 12D, Cyberspace Operations, as Congress finalizes the Fiscal Year 2027 Department of Defense appropriations. The delegation emphasized the critical importance of the health and well-being of service members and civilian employees at U.S. Cyber Command, particularly in light of recent reports detailing several suicides among personnel in cyber operations and the Fort Meade community. The requested funds aim to improve care for service members and help commanders establish sustainable training, recovery, care, and resilience practices, addressing the unique operational strain faced by this specialized workfor...
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Rep. Sarah Elfreth Advocates for Increased Mental Health Funding at U.S. Cyber Command Following Suicides

Rep. Sarah Elfreth Advocates for Increased Mental Health Funding at U.S. Cyber Command Following Suicides

Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.) is leading efforts to secure an additional $11 million in funding for mental health support at U.S. Cyber Command. This initiative comes in response to multiple reported suicides within the command earlier this year. Elfreth, alongside a bipartisan group of lawmakers, is urging congressional appropriators to back this request, which was identified as the second-highest priority on Cyber Command’s 'Unfunded Priority List.' The proposed funding aims to provide 'cognitive, psychological, physiological, and spiritual sustainment for high-tempo cyber operations' to combat burnout and force degradation among personnel. The House of Representatives has already approved this request in its fiscal 2027 defense spending bill, though the Senate has yet to act on its draft. Additionally, Elfreth is pushing for a provision in the annual defense policy bill that would mandate the Pentagon to collect data on civilian suicides, mirroring existing practices for uniformed military personnel and th...
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Maryland Delegation, Including April McClain Delaney, Seeks $11 Million for U.S. Cyber Command Mental Health Support

Maryland Delegation, Including April McClain Delaney, Seeks $11 Million for U.S. Cyber Command Mental Health Support

A group of Maryland lawmakers, including April McClain Delaney, is requesting $11 million in the Fiscal Year 2027 defense appropriations process. This funding is specifically earmarked for U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade to enhance mental health support and resilience training for its military and civilian personnel. The lawmakers' letter to appropriators highlights recent reports of suicides within the cyber community, underscoring the urgent need for a more robust institutional response. The proposed funding aims to improve access to care, provide better support for commanders, and mitigate burnout among staff. This initiative is intended to help maintain readiness and improve workforce retention within the critical cyber defense sector. The request emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health challenges to ensure the well-being of personnel and the operational effectiveness of U.S. Cyber Command.
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Federal Government Seeks Information Technology Specialist for Kirtland AFB with Telework Eligibility

Federal Government Seeks Information Technology Specialist for Kirtland AFB with Telework Eligibility

The federal government is actively recruiting for an Information Technology Specialist (INFOSEC) position at Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB) in New Mexico. This role is a full-time, permanent position with a salary range of $107,592 to $139,871 per year, falling under the GS 13 pay scale and grade. The position is telework eligible, as determined by agency policy, but is not a remote job. Responsibilities include serving as a senior IT specialist and consultant to management on Air Force-wide systems, managing the Center's Information Assurance Program, and applying AF and DoD level IT initiatives. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, registered for Selective Service if male, and possess IT-related experience demonstrating competencies in attention to detail, customer service, oral communication, and problem-solving, along with specialized experience at the GS-12 level.
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Senator Warnock Secures $97.1 Million in Federal Funding for HBCU STEM Programs

Senator Warnock Secures $97.1 Million in Federal Funding for HBCU STEM Programs

Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) has announced a significant federal award of $97.1 million to bolster Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) research programs at 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) nationwide. This funding, secured through the Department of Defense’s (DOD) HBCU/MSI program, includes nearly $10 million specifically allocated to Clark Atlanta University in Georgia. Senator Warnock emphasized that this investment acknowledges the often-unrecognized contributions of HBCUs to the nation's leading STEM industry, aiming to foster academic excellence and innovation and expand opportunities for future scientists. This initiative is part of his ongoing efforts to champion HBCUs, building on his bipartisan HBCU Research Capacity Act, which seeks to create a federally coordinated website for compiling information on STEM research and development funding opportunities eligible for HBCUs. He previously hosted over 30 ...
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U.S. Navy Faces Congressional Scrutiny Over Animal Decompression Tests

U.S. Navy Faces Congressional Scrutiny Over Animal Decompression Tests

The U.S. Navy is under increasing scrutiny from members of Congress and animal rights organizations, including PETA, for its continued funding and use of animals in decompression and oxygen toxicity experiments. Four members of Congress, including Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Mark Pocan (D-WI-2), and Dina Titus (D-NV-1), have written to the Navy expressing concern over a recent test that subjected 40 pigs to simulated deep dives, resulting in suffering and death for some. These lawmakers question the military branch's reliance on animal experiments, advocating for taxpayer funds to support both naval innovation and high standards of animal welfare. PETA has launched an extensive campaign, including advertisements and protests, to highlight the perceived cruelty and scientific ineffectiveness of these tests, urging the Navy to adopt human-relevant research methods.
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US Senator Murphy says Pentagon denied him access to US base in Qatar

US Senator Murphy says Pentagon denied him access to US base in Qatar

By Timour Azhari RIYADH, Oct 6 (Reuters) - US Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said the US Department of Defense denied him access to a key US military base in Qatar during a visit to the Middle East, describing it as part of a US government effort to conceal the impact of the Iran war. 
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The Bison Group Seeks Senior Counterterrorism Insurgency Analyst in Reston, VA

The Bison Group Seeks Senior Counterterrorism Insurgency Analyst in Reston, VA

The Bison Group, located in Reston, VA, is actively seeking a Senior Counterterrorism & Insurgency Analyst. This role is designed to provide strategic intelligence to support the objectives of the Department of Defense (DoD). The position requires candidates to possess a TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph, a Bachelor's degree, and a minimum of five years of relevant experience in the field. The job listing highlights the ongoing need for specialized expertise in counterterrorism and insurgency analysis within the U.S. defense sector. This recruitment effort underscores the continuous demand for skilled professionals to address complex national security challenges and contribute to intelligence operations.
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TRICARE Warns Beneficiaries Against Phishing Scams Requesting Personal Information and Payments

TRICARE Warns Beneficiaries Against Phishing Scams Requesting Personal Information and Payments

TRICARE, the healthcare program for uniformed service members, retirees, and their families, is issuing a warning to its beneficiaries about ongoing phishing scams. Scammers are reportedly targeting the military community through phone calls, text messages, emails, and letters, falsely claiming to be from TRICARE. These fraudulent communications often attempt to solicit payments or personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, or Department of Defense (DOD) ID numbers. Kathy McGuire, Chief, Managed Care Support Branch, TRICARE Health Plan, at the Defense Health Agency, emphasized that TRICARE or its contractors will never call to collect payment or offer discounts, nor will they text or call asking for personal identifying information. Beneficiaries are advised not to respond to suspicious communications and to report any suspected fraud or abuse.
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BAE Systems, Inc. Seeks Cybersecurity Officer for Compass Call Program in Arizona

BAE Systems, Inc. Seeks Cybersecurity Officer for Compass Call Program in Arizona

BAE Systems, Inc., a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, is actively recruiting a highly skilled and motivated individual to serve as a Cybersecurity Officer/Field Service Engineer. This role is based at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, and will involve working with the field engineering team to support and maintain Compass Call delivered mission systems and mission support systems. The selected candidate will function as an Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) for systems operating within the Compass Call program, covering operations, maintenance, training, and testing. The position requires detailed knowledge of information systems and day-to-day cybersecurity operations support. This is a full-time, onsite position, requiring 100% presence at the Davis Monthan AFB Tucson AZ contractor facility. The role also entails potential deployment, both within the continental U.S. (CONUS) and outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS), for up to 90 co...
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Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Adam Schiff Introduce Water Safety Shield Act to Bolster Cybersecurity for U.S. Water Systems

Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Adam Schiff Introduce Water Safety Shield Act to Bolster Cybersecurity for U.S. Water Systems

Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) have introduced the Water Safety Shield Act, a legislative initiative aimed at significantly enhancing the cybersecurity of U.S. water systems. This bill proposes the implementation of tiered cybersecurity standards for the water sector and allocates a substantial annual budget of $600 million specifically for water cybersecurity. The introduction of this act follows a series of cyberattacks by Iranian hackers on water systems in 12 states during the summer, which underscored the vulnerability of these critical infrastructures to foreign adversaries. The legislation seeks to move beyond previous, less prescriptive efforts to improve resilience in the sector, addressing the technical, legal, and practical challenges that make U.S. water systems susceptible to cyber threats, including the increasing sophistication of AI-driven attacks.