March 13, 2018

Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dunford's Phone Call with Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Gerasimov

Joint Staff Spokesperson Col. Patrick S. Ryder provided the following readout: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., spoke with Chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov by telephone today. The conversation focused on issues of mutual concern, to include the situation in Syria. In accordance with past practice, both have agreed to keep the details of their conversation private. Gen. Dunford last spoke with Gen. Gerasimov Jan. 20, 2018.

March 12, 2018

Service Secretaries: People Are Most Important Part of DoD’s Success

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military’s most crucial advantage is its people, and investment in attracting and retaining them must continue, the Army, Navy and Air Force secretaries said during a Center for Strategic and International Studies forum.

March 12, 2018

Joint Staff Approves Humanitarian Service Medal for Hurricane Response

WASHINGTON — The Joint Staff approved the Humanitarian Service Medal for qualified members in any branch of the armed services who served in disaster relief efforts for hurricanes Harvey, Irma or Maria.

March 8, 2018

Dunford Presents Legion of Merit to NATO Military Committee Chairman

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. — Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presented the Legion of Merit to Czech Gen. Petr Pavel, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, during a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va.

March 7, 2018

NATO Military Chairman Seeks Constructive Contacts With Russia

WASHINGTON — The chairman of NATO’s Military Committee said the NATO-Russia Council should be reinvigorated to address issues pending between the two entities, adding that Russia must show through actions, not just words, that it is ready for such a development.

March 6, 2018

Vice Chairman Highlights Importance of Nuclear Deterrence

WASHINGTON — The recent Nuclear Posture Review makes it clear the U.S. can match any nuclear threat, including that of a low-yield nuclear weapon, and will respond in kind to threats, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in Washington, D.C.

March 6, 2018

Speedier Acquisition Needed to Stay Competitive, Defense Official Says

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department needs to speed its acquisition processes and allow decisions at a lower level if it wants to stay competitive, the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering said.

March 6, 2018

U.S., Australian NCOs Share Leadership Philosophy

SYDNEY — Warrant Officer Class One Craig Egan of the Australian Defense Force deals easily with American noncommissioned officers -- they speak the same language, they go through many of the same schools, and they belong to militaries that have the same philosophy on the use of NCOs.

Feb. 18, 2018

Mattis: New Policy Cracks Down On Force Deployability

WASHINGTON — A new Defense Department policy requires service members who are not deployable for a year or more to be reassigned, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said, adding that the issue concerns service members “who are, just for one reason or another, not able to deploy with their units."

Feb. 12, 2018

President’s Fiscal 2019 Defense Budget Request Calls for $686.1 Billion

WASHINGTON — The president’s fiscal year 2019 defense budget request calls for $686.1 billion in spending and will reverse years of military erosion, defense officials said.