Tom Philpott

Despite stiff criticism from some veterans and lawmakers who would see their local Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals close, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi says he is "optimistic" ...

It is no great surprise that Congress, in the end, decided to move with some caution on Defense secretary Donald Rumsfeld's ambitious plan for overhauling management of general and flag ...

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has unveiled an ambitious plan for transforming the Defense Department's personnel system that includes, for the nation's most senior officers, careers up to 40 years and ...

The Department of Defense announced in November 2001 that tuition assistance for active-duty members seeking off-duty education would rise and that reimbursement rates would be made uniform across all branches ...

Despite a veto threat from the Bush administration, Congress moved this summer to restore full retired pay to some, if not all, career military retirees who draw tax-free veterans' disability ...

An aggressive education program has the Navy leading all services in enrolling active-duty and reserve members in the military's Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).At the start of the second "open season" ...

It took Congress until almost Christmas to complete its work on 2002 defense and veterans legislation, but for service personnel it was worth the wait.The New Year brought satisfying increases ...

Getting prototypes of new weapon systems into the hands of operators quickly is key to turning the U.S. military into a more efficient and effective fighting force, says retired Navy ...

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in mid-October significantly improved TriCare benefits for the families of reservists activated for the war on terrorism. The changes were seen as a significant factor in ...

In early September, Congress received a lengthy report from the Department of Defense on the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act of 1982 with modest recommendations for reform. In accepting ...

When called to testify on Capitol Hill, representatives of military associations typically appear voluntarily to urge lawmakers to improve military pay and benefits. Compliments are exchanged and the atmosphere is ...

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his senior staff have rejected a push by the Joint Chiefs to create a joint medical command or some other military-led entity to control what ...