EYES ON THE PENTAGON – American Defense News (ADN) – in collaboration with the Center for American Defense Studies (CADS) – provides our readers the Pentagon Watch:
Focusing on the changing dynamics, policies and ‘woke’ politics inside the Department of Defense (DoD).
Get Your Best Daily Update on What DoD is Quietly Up-To in One Brief.
Today’s PWB includes a variety of critical issues at the Pentagon and ‘Inside the Beltway’ in Washington, DC.
READ TODAY’S Pentagon Watch:
Washington Watch
DOUBTFUL – NC Army veteran: Trump should be held accountable for Jan. 6 attack on Capitol. In the military, rules are enforced; duties are expected to be carried out.
Extremism Witch Hunt
WITCH HUNT CODIFIED? Likes, shares and posts now prohibited in Pentagon’s new anti-extremism policy. The Pentagon’s extremism working group released its report on Monday.
GOES FARTHER THAN THEY SAY – Pentagon issues rules aimed at stopping rise of extremism. Officials said the new policy doesn’t largely change what is prohibited but is more of an effort to make sure troops are clear on what they can and can’t do.
SEE DoD ‘INSTRUCTION’ POLICY LETTER HERE
One Social-Media ‘Like’ Doesn’t Say Much About a Potential Extremist. Data from open-source social media is generally only helpful in combination with other information.
Vaccine Mandates
Federal hearing begins in Navy SEALs challenge to Defense Department’s vaccine mandate. A federal hearing is scheduled Monday in Fort Worth for several U.S. Navy SEALs and other Naval special warfare personnel who filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration and the Department of Defense for their refusal to grant religious accommodations for the COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
Sexual Politics
YES, REVERSE BIAS IS A REAL PROBLEM – Claiming ‘anti-male gender bias’, former Coast Guard cadet sues admiral, other officers. A Lincoln family is taking on the Admiral of the U.S. Coast Guard and other high-ranking leaders in a federal lawsuit.
BUT IT SHOULDN’T – The VA said it would cover gender affirmation surgeries. Trans vets are still waiting. In June, VA Secretary Denis McDonough announced the department was moving to cover gender affirmation surgery.
Pay and Standards
YES, BUT BENEFITS ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE UP FOR LESS PAY – Plan to guarantee all troops a $15 minimum wage gets more congressional support. All service members would be guaranteed at least $15 an hour in yearly salary under a plan being revived by a bipartisan group of House lawmakers ahead of next year’s budget debate.
New in 2022: Marine Corps loosens its strict tattoo policy. Tattoo sleeves are back for Marines in 2022.
END of PWB
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Paul Crespo
Paul Crespo is the Managing Editor of American Defense News. A defense and national security expert, he served as a Marine Corps officer and as a military attaché with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at US embassies worldwide. Paul holds degrees from Georgetown, London, and Cambridge Universities. He is also CEO of SPECTRE Global Risk, a security advisory firm, and President of the Center for American Defense Studies, a national security think tank. - paulcrespo.substack.com - PAULCRESPO.COM