In Depth Show Blog – Feb. 24, 2014

Details of the Defense Department’s fiscal 2015 budget request come out today from Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel. Most of what he talked about today involves cutting, especially around force structure and some weapons systems. Gordon Adams is professor of International Relations at American University, distinguished fellow at the Stimson Center, a contributor to Foreign Policy magazine and former associate director for National Security and International Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget.

Federal technology and acquisition reform is back on the table, at least in the House. As part of the Stop Government Abuse Week in the House, lawmakers will vote on an updated version of the Federal IT Acquisition Reform Act or FITARA. Federal News Radio’s executive editor Jason Miller shares details on the latest attempt to improve federal technology and procurement.

The Homeland Security Department expects to buy about $23 million worth of ammunition for its employees this year. That’s down about 33 percent since fiscal 2009.

Six of the biggest job openings at the Defense Department are up for consideration tomorrow. The Senate Armed Services Committee will consider nominations for deputy secretary of defense, under secretary comptroller, under secretary for policy and three others. Those nominations are just the start of the work that Congress will undertake as it comes back from recess.

The annual budget proposal the Defense Department will formally release next week will call for an overall reduction in the size of the military. It will also include cuts to the benefits service members get. Federal News Radio’s Jared Serbu reports the Pentagon says it’s trading size for military readiness.