“This is going to take all of us,” Hagel said during a joint Pentagon news conference with Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Hagel noted he and Dempsey, along with the service secretaries and chiefs of staff, attended an, “important, productive” White House meeting yesterday with President Barack Obama to address the situation, which Dempsey has termed a “crisis.”

The meeting was important, Hagel said, because “It gave the president an opportunity to ask questions directly, and get the sense of this huge problem, serious problem in our military.”

It also allowed those military leaders to share their views with the commander in chief, Hagel said. He added all the meeting’s participants are committed to solving sexual assaults, noting, “There's not one of these people in leadership today that wants this to be their legacy.”

The secretary said he spoke by phone today with the Response Systems to Adult Sexual Assault Crimes Panel, a nine-member body mandated by Congress, four selected by members of Congress and five by Hagel, that is charged with conducting a detailed review of factors surrounding sexual assault cases in the military.

“They're all highly respected, highly regarded, experienced men and women who understand cultures, society, command, and I think it's an exceptionally well-balanced group of men and women who we look to, to help us,” Hagel said. He noted that there are a number of pieces of legislation pending in Congress designed to address sexual assault issues, but asked for time for the panel to do its work.

“I would hope that we would have some time here, everyone would have some time, to listen to what the panel comes back with,” he said, “ … and give them some time here to go in and really assess the problem. Why do we have the problem? How can we prevent the problem? What should we be doing better?”

Hagel noted sexual assault is a complex crime with many potential contributing factors, including popular culture, accountability and alcohol use. “There are so many dimensions to this that I don't think you can come at it in one simple way,” he said. “I get a lot of advice on this, and I listen to everybody.”

The secretary particularly emphasized listening to sexual assault victims who “didn't feel their commanders were accountable enough [for victims] to be able to come forward and register a complaint, file a complaint, because they thought they would be subject to many things, … and then also having no confidence that anything would be done about their complaint.”

The secretary noted he issued guidance today on mandatory recertification and retraining for recruiters and sexual assault responders across the force. He is receiving weekly briefings on progress achieved, he said.

Hagel concluded, “We continue to look at every option, and we will. We have to. Every option is on the table.”

Dempsey said the risks inherent to military service must not include the risk of sexual assault.

“It betrays the trust on which our profession is founded. It's a crime that demands accountability and consequences,” the general said. He noted the Joint Chiefs have spent the better part of a year implementing a campaign focused on prevention, investigation, accountability, advocacy and assessment.

“The emphasis on prevention is especially important,” Dempsey added. “As the president made clear to us yesterday, we can and must do more to change a culture that has become too complacent. Now's the time for us to recommit ourselves to our profession. Now's the time for character to be valued as much, if not more, than competence. Now's the time for moral courage at every level. There can be no bystanders.”

Dempsey said during his early years in service, “The Army was broken.” Racial tension and drug abuse “tore at the fabric of our service,” he added.

Today’s joint service is not broken -- it is in fact remarkably resilient, he said.

“But we have a serious problem that we must solve: aggressive sexual behavior that rips at the bond of trust that binds us together,” the chairman said.

He concluded, “Every single member of the joint force in every unit at every level must be alert to the problem and be part of the solution. Working together, we can and will restore faith in ourselves, and the trust and faith of the American people.”
 

Here is the text of his proclamation:  Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for all Americans to express their gratitude to service members, military families, and veterans who keep this nation strong and safe.  In 2013, we mark the twelfth consecutive Armed Forces Day with our nation at war – the longest period of sustained combat in our history, fought entirely by volunteers who made the courageous choice to answer the nation’s call. 

Here is the text of the president’s proclamation:

Since the earliest days of our Union, America has been blessed with an unbroken chain of patriots willing to give of themselves so their fellow citizens might live free. Whenever our Nation has come under attack, courageous men and women in uniform have risen to her defense. Whenever our liberties have come under assault, our service members have responded with resolve. Time and again, these heroes have sacrificed to sustain that powerful promise that we hold so dear -- life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And on Armed Forces Day, we honor those who serve bravely and sacrifice selflessly in our name.

Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen represent the best of the American character. They serve with integrity and do whatever the country they love asks of them, choosing flag over fortune and service over self-interest. Year after year, tour after tour, their dedication to protecting us at home and preserving our ideals never wavers; their commitment to each other never falters. They are the few who carry the remarkable weight of our entire Nation, and in their example we see why America is and always will be the greatest country on Earth.

Today, we pause to express our gratitude, mindful that words and ceremonies are not enough and that our thanks extend not only to those in uniform, but also to the families who serve alongside them. We are bound by a sacred obligation to ensure our service members and their loved ones have the resources and benefits they have earned and deserve, and only when we uphold this trust do we truly show our appreciation for our Armed Forces.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, continuing the precedent of my predecessors in office, do hereby proclaim the third Saturday of each May as Armed Forces Day.

I direct the Secretary of Defense on behalf of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, and the Secretary of Homeland Security on behalf of the Coast Guard, to plan for appropriate observances each year, with the Secretary of Defense responsible for encouraging the participation and cooperation of civil authorities and private citizens.
 

On a gray afternoon between spells of light rain, Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia and his fellow enlisted advisors hung the logos of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard on a wreath wrapped with purple ribbon just steps away from the gravesite.

Joining Battaglia in the ceremony were Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III, Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Michael P. Barrett, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Michael D. Stevens, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Cody and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Michael P. Leavitt.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Denise Jelinski-Hall represented the National Guard Bureau.

Battaglia found the ceremony bittersweet, he told American Forces Press Service, “as it should be for everyone.”

On Armed Forces Day “we recognize and celebrate the service and sacrifice of all of our serving men and women past and present, and to have an event here at Arlington National Cemetery means that, on a sadder note, we also honor those who went before us,” he said. “They celebrate the day with us in spirit only.”

He added, “We’re hoping this will be an annual event and this is the right place to do it.”

Battaglia said he and the other enlisted advisors have the full cooperation from Arlington National Cemetery officials to hold the ceremony every year and display the wreath representing the armed forces and all five service branches for everyone who visits the Tomb of the Unknowns on Armed Forces Day.

Yesterday, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation that continues the precedent set by his predecessors in declaring the third Saturday of each May as Armed Forces Day.

“Whenever our nation has come under attack, courageous men and women in uniform have risen to her defense. Whenever our liberties have come under assault, our service members have responded with resolve,” the president said in his proclamation.

“Time and again these heroes have sacrificed to sustain that powerful promise that we hold so dear -- life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And on Armed Forces Day, we honor those who serve bravely and sacrifice selflessly in our name,” he said.

On that Saturday, the commander in chief added, the nation thanks those in uniform and the families who serve alongside them.

“We are bound by a sacred obligation to ensure our service members and their loved ones have the resources and benefits they have earned and deserve,” Obama said, “and only when we uphold this trust do we truly show our appreciation for our armed forces.”

In his own statement to the men and women in uniform, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called Armed Forces Day an opportunity for all Americans to express their gratitude to service members, military families and veterans who keep the nation strong and safe.

“In 2013 we mark the 12th consecutive Armed Forces Day with our nation at war –- the longest period of sustained combat in our history, fought entirely by volunteers who made the courageous choice to answer the nation’s call,” the secretary said, and quoted President Harry S. Truman, who, in proclaiming first Armed Forces Day, said, “America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand.”

Such courage, imagination and determination come from ordinary citizens who step forward to do extraordinary things throughout the nation’s history, Hagel said.

“To all our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen: take pride -– not only on Armed Forces Day, but every day –- in the uniform that you wear and the patriotic duty you perform. You are striving to make a difference and leading purposeful lives. You are part of a force that is admired and respected both at home and abroad. Remember that there is no challenge that cannot be met through the shared determination of the world’s greatest military.

“To the husbands, wives, sons, daughters and loved ones of our service members: Armed Forces Day is also a day to recognize the considerable sacrifices you make every day, and for this nation to reaffirm its commitments to you. You, too, have made our nation stronger and safer.

“To our nation’s veterans,” Hagel concluded, “thank you for the service you gave to this country and for the support that you give our men and women carrying on your legacy today.”

As the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns came to a close, Battaglia recalled those who rest in all veterans’ cemeteries across the nation.

“They still serve,” he said, “and we use them as inspiration. They’re still part of the team. Recognizing and celebrating Armed Forces Day is not just for those who witness it in person, but for those who have fallen.”
 

“We have a responsibility, an ethical responsibility, to assure the health and well-being of every detainee and certainly we’re doing everything we can to do that,” Hagel said in response to a question during a Pentagon news conference. He added that President Barack Obama said last month he intends to renew efforts to try to close the facility. “We’re doing everything we can to protect those detainees and we do need a resolution to this,” Hagel said. “The president has said that and he’s working toward it.”

Dempsey echoed Hagel’s thoughts, noting the importance of the military role at the site.
“The United States military guards Guantanamo and our responsibility is clear: … the well-being of the prisoners, the safety of both them and the guards,” Dempsey said.
  

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff went on to call the decision “ill-timed and very unfortunate.”

Dempsey, speaking alongside Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, said the United States continues to try to find a way for the United States and Russia to work together to end the Syrian civil war. “One of the primary reasons that Secretary of State John Kerry went to Moscow was to find some … intersection of interests in the Middle East,” Hagel said.

The secretary said there is a real danger that the war could spill over Syria’s borders and ignite the entire region. “What we don’t want to see happen is for Syria to erupt to a point where we may find a regional war,” he said. “We continue to work with the Russians and do everything we can to convince the powers in the region to be careful with escalation of military options and equipment.”

Hagel said the United States is leaving all options open. “We are already doing a lot in Syria on the humanitarian side, the non-lethal side,” he said. Still, U.S. leaders are trying to work out some consensus on Syria with the players in the region and beyond.

The anti-ship and air defense capabilities are more capable systems, Dempsey said. The S-300, for example, has a higher ceiling, longer range and multiple tracking capability. “It pushes the stand-off distance out a little more, increases risk, but it’s not impossible to overcome,” he said.

“What I really worry about is that (Syrian leader Bashar) Assad will decide that since he’s got these systems he is somehow safer and more prone to a miscalculation,” the chairman said.

There are several capabilities that Syria has not used responsibly including chemical weapons, long-range rockets, missiles and high-end air defense, Dempsey said. “The things they have in their control, we have things to deal with,” the general said. “We do not have options in any way to prevent the delivery of any military sales to Syria.”
 

In a statement summarizing the meeting, Little said Hagel met with Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz, Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and Hakan Fidan, undersecretary of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization.

In addition to the bilateral defense relationship, Little said, the meeting included discussion of continued opportunities for military-to-military partnership.

Hagel also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Turkey as a strong NATO ally, and he conveyed strong U.S. support of Turkey’s security interests, including the ongoing NATO deployment of Patriot missiles to southern Turkey, he added.

“The leaders spoke at length about regional security issues, particularly the two countries' shared concerns over the complex threats in Syria,” Little said. “They reaffirmed their efforts to work with allies and partners to support an inclusive transition that guarantees the Syrian people universal rights.”
 

In a statement on the deputy secretary’s participation, Little said Carter joined Secretary of State John F. Kerry, Attorney General Eric Holder, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Transportation Secretary Raymond LaHood, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett and other senior administration officials in the meeting.

“Deputy Secretary Carter noted that as the largest purchaser of goods and services in the federal government, the Department of Defense has a responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars do not contribute to human trafficking and forced labor,” said the press secretary said.

Carter further noted that the Defense Department requires all its military service members to take training on how to recognize and report human trafficking, which will be updated to reflect recent changes in the law and an executive order on strengthening protections against human trafficking in federal contracts, Little said.
 

Thurman, who assumed his post in July 2011, is retiring.

Scaparrotti currently serves as the director of the Joint Staff in the Pentagon. Once he is nominated, the Senate must confirm Scaparrotti for a fourth star and the position.

Hagel said Scaparrotti has worked tirelessly on many important issues, particularly the health of the force. He is a proven combat leader, having served in Afghanistan as the commander of the International Security Assistance Force’s Joint Command in Kabul, the secretary said.

Hagel also had high praise for Thurman’s steady leadership during a challenging time on the Korean Peninsula. “Throughout his tenure, General Thurman has helped ensure we are always ready to respond to any contingency,” the secretary said.

Thurman has worked closely with the South Korean military to strengthen alliance cooperation.

Hagel said he discussed the nomination with South Korean President Park Geun-hye in a May 7 meeting at the Pentagon during her visit to Washington. “In my conversation with her and other Korean leaders, I heard an outpouring of respect for General Thurman and the job he has done,” Hagel said. “They are also clearly looking forward to working with General Scaparrotti.”

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, echoed Hagel’s praise for both officers. “I can think of no finer officer to lead U.S. forces in Korea than Lt. Gen. Curt Scaparrotti,” he said. “‘Scap’ is an exceptionally competent leader with the moral character to match. Like our current commander, Gen. J.D. Thurman, he is well-suited to sustaining our strong alliance with the Republic of Korea. Scap’s quiet confidence has delivered success throughout his career.”

Dempsey knows Scaparrotti well, as he served in Iraq as Dempsey’s assistant division commander at the 1st Armored Division in Baghdad from 2003 to 2004.

Thurman has served as the senior U.S. and United Nations commander in Korea during some of the tensest times on the peninsula in recent years.

During his tour, North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il died. His son, Kim Jong Un, succeeded as supreme leader. The younger Kim has moved ahead with development of nuclear weapons and missile technology. He launched a rocket that placed a satellite in orbit and also demonstrated the ability to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Earlier this year, Kim Jong Un threatened to launch nuclear missiles at the United States and allies in the region. His rhetoric, however, has cooled in recent weeks.

Thurman was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from East Central Oklahoma University in 1975. A tanker, he served in Germany with cavalry units. The general has extensive operational combat experience from Desert Storm to Kosovo to Iraq. He commanded the 4th Infantry Division when it served as the nucleus of the Multinational Division Baghdad in 2006.

Scaparrotti, too, is an officer sculpted by combat. In addition to serving with the 1st Armored Division, he commanded the 82nd Airborne Division and the 1st Corps. He also served as the director of operations for U.S. Central Command and as the 69th commandant of cadets at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

Scaparrotti, an infantryman, was commissioned following graduation from West Point in 1978.
 

In a statement, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said Hagel was informed yesterday about allegations of criminal behavior against an Army sergeant first class who was a sexual assault prevention and response coordinator at Fort Hood, Texas.

“I cannot convey strongly enough his frustration, anger and disappointment over these troubling allegations and the breakdown in discipline and standards they imply,” Little said.

Hagel met with Army Secretary John M. McHugh and directed him to fully investigate the matter rapidly, to discover the extent of the allegations, and to ensure that all of those who might be involved are dealt with appropriately, the press secretary added.

Little said Hagel directed the retraining, re-credentialing and rescreening to address the broader concerns that have arisen out of these allegations and other recent events.

“Sexual assault is a crime, and will be treated as such,” the press secretary said. “The safety, integrity, and well-being of every service member and the success of our mission hang in the balance. Secretary Hagel is looking urgently at every course of action to stamp out this deplorable conduct and ensure that those individuals up and down the chain of command who tolerate or engage in this behavior are appropriately held accountable.”

Army officials announced yesterday that the Army Criminal Investigation Command is investigating the Fort Hood soldier for pandering, abusive sexual contact, assault and maltreatment of subordinates.

In a statement, Defense Department officials said the soldier had been assigned as an equal opportunity advisor and sexual harassment and sexual assault response and prevention program coordinator with a 3rd Corps battalion at Fort Hood when the allegations surfaced. The soldier was immediately suspended from all duties by the chain of command once the allegations were brought to the command's attention, officials said, adding that charges had so far not been filed or preferred.

During testimony last week before the House Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee, McHugh expressed anger over sexual assaults and sex abuse crimes in the military.

"This is so contrary to everything upon which the Army was built," he said. "To see this kind of activity happening in our ranks is really heart wrenching and sickening."

McHugh told members of Congress that Army leaders are focused on efforts to prevent sexual assaults.

"As I said to our new brigadier general corps when I spoke to them about two weeks ago, 'You can do everything from this point forward in your military career perfectly, but if you fail on this, you have failed the Army,'" he said.
 

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and the service secretaries, and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey and the rest of the Joint Chiefs of Staff met with the president at the White House to discuss ways to eliminate sexual assault from the military.

The U.S. military is the greatest in the world because of its people, Obama said. And trust is the glue that holds the military together. “It comes down to do people trust each other and do they understand that they’re all part of a single system that has to operate under whatever circumstances effectively,” the president said.

He called sexual assault not just a shameful and disgraceful crime, but an insidious germ that will eat at the trust necessary to hold service members together under tough circumstances. “As such, it is dangerous to our national security,” the president said. “This is not a sideshow. This is not sort of a second-order problem that we’re experiencing. This goes to the heart and the core of who we are and how effective we’re going to be.”

Military leaders understand this is a potential crisis for the military, and Obama said he has confidence that military leaders will aggressively work to eliminate sexual assault from the services.

“They’re angry about it,” the president said. “But it’s not fixed yet, and that’s clear. So even though I think there’s a level of concern and interest that is appropriate, we haven’t actually been able to ensure that our men and women in uniform are not experiencing this, and if they do experience it, that there is serious accountability.”

Obama said he has tasked Hagel and Dempsey to lead the effort.

The president called for accountability in this issue. He noted leaders at all levels must be accountable not only for enforcing the laws, but for training service members effectively and putting resources toward eliminating the problem.

“We’ve got to create an environment in which victims feel that they’re comfortable coming forward,” the president said. “They’ve got to know that they should have no fear of retaliation, no fear of stigma, no damage to their careers, and certainly no protection for criminals.”

The president said he wants justice for victims of sexual assault. “Perpetrators have to experience consequences,” he said. “I’m pleased that Secretary Hagel has proposed reforms that would restrict the ability of commanders to overturn convictions after trial. Those reforms have my full support.”

Obama said he is pleased that Hagel and Dempsey are looking at proposals on Capitol Hill and elsewhere to address the problem. “What I’ve said to them is I want to leave no stone unturned and I want us to explore every good idea that’s out there,” he said. “I’m pleased to say that Secretary Hagel is not only consulting with Congress but is also looking at militaries around the world … that may have designed systems that get at this to see if there are any lessons learned in terms of best practices.”

The president called for military leaders to look at experiences in the civilian system and learn from those advocates and professionals.

“There is no silver bullet to solving this problem,” the president said. “This is going to require a sustained effort over a long period of time.” 

The 50 Marines who competed took home 93 medals: 34 gold, 33 silver and 26 bronze. The Army placed second with 81 medals.

"Congratulations to all of the 2013 Warrior Games competitors," said Charlie Huebner, chief of Paralympics for the U.S. Olympic Committee during the closing ceremony. "While we celebrate medals, this competition is really an example of how sport can change lives. We hope these service members and veterans don't stop here. The goal is for them to return home and get involved in sport programs in their communities."

The Warrior Games, hosted by the U.S. Olympic Committee and Deloitte, are a Paralympic-style competition for wounded, ill, or injured service members and veterans from the U.S. and British armed forces. The athletes compete in cycling, shooting, track and field, archery, wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball and swimming. The competitions were held at the Olympic Training Center and the U.S. Air Force Academy here.

The competition kicked off to a good start for the Marine team as they established their presence at the cycling competition, scoring four medals. Sgt. Lori Yrigoyen from Huntington Beach, Calif., and currently assigned to Wounded Warrior Battalion West, took first place in the women’s recumbent 10k. Staff Sgt. Ronnie Jimenez from Tempe, Ariz., and assigned to Wounded Warrior Battalion West, boosted morale for the team and its fans by being the first athlete of all services to win a gold medal. Jimenez took first in the 10-kilometer handcycle race. But after the first day, the Marines had fallen behind to the Army by five medals.

The Marines took 20 out of 24 possible medals in shooting competition last year. This year, the team scored 13 medals, edging out the Army by five. Gold medalists included Gunnery Sgt. Pedro Aquino from Hawthorne, Calif., and currently assigned to Wounded Warrior Battalion West, who tied for first with veteran Cpl. Angel Gomez of Visalia, Calif., resulting in a shoot-off.

Veteran Lance Cpl. Richard Stalder, from Muenster, Texas, took first in the standing competition-SH2 and veteran Master Sgt. Dionisios Nicholas of Mililani Town, Hawaii, took gold in Pistol-SH1. Staff Sgt. Phillip Shockley of Jackson, Fla., currently assigned to Wounded Warrior Battalion East, won the pistol-open competition.

Going into Day 3 of the competition, the Marines medaled in nearly all track and field events, taking home 36 medals while the Army took 33. Cpl. Kyle Reid of Chinook, Mont., currently assigned to Wounded Warrior Battalion West, outran his Army competitor by .01 seconds in the men’s 100-meter open. Marine veteran Derek Liu of Fullerton, Calif., won the 100-meter visually impaired, and veteran Sgt. Anthony McDaniel of Pascagoula, Miss., and Ivan Sears of San Antonio took first and second in the 100-meter wheelchair race.

The Army also took home a third consecutive gold in the much-anticipated wheelchair basketball rivalry between the Army and Marines, but not before the Marine team gave them a run for their medals. The final score was 34-32.

Last year, the Marine team lost the gold match in sitting volleyball to the Army. This year, the Marines quickly put out the Army by defeating them 2-0. In the final event of swimming, the Marines took a larger lead, with Sgt. Kirstie Ennis of Milton, Fla., currently assigned to Wounded Warrior Battalion West, taking home gold in the women’s 50-meter freestyle-SLA, 100-meter freestyle-SLA, and 50-meter backstroke-SLA.

Team captains Cpl. Jorge Salazar of Delano, Calif., and Wounded Warrior Battalion West and veteran Cpl. Travis Greene of Boise, Idaho, accepted the Chairman’s Cup on behalf of the team, coaches and regiment staff.
 

Mark Krzysko, DOD’s deputy director for acquisition resource analysis and enterprise information, explained the effort in remarks during a government technology conference.

Krzysko said cloud computing is among several new ways to provide decision-makers timely access to accurate, authoritative and reliable information.

“The technology, architecture framework and data management constructs the cloud can bring to us create ‘app-like’ thinking that [enables us to] move faster and forward more data sources out,” he said. The concept builds on an initiative begun in 2008 to streamline the acquisitions process, he added.

As an ever-increasing number of people continue to fuse data on mobile phones every day, Krzysko said, cloud computing should and will be the paradigm shift for the DOD as well. The challenge, he added, lies not only in deciphering how to make technology and cloud information work together, but also in how to best orchestrate the transition from a desktop environment to a mobile one while maintaining data security and integrity.

“It is pretty much a known … intractable problem, so it gives us the opportunity to experiment … [and] create an organization to manage data and delivery in support of the decision-makers,” he said. “We’re a bit of an enigma in the department, because we’re not a program, we’re not an initiative, but we are a part of the fabric there.”

Krzysko noted various laws that have influenced DOD’s efforts, including a mandate to report and certify major acquisitions at various milestones of the process.

“We have to tell Congress that the cost, schedule and performance are right,” he said. “We’ve got an awful lot of things [within] the policy layer of the department that influence both the processes and, ultimately, the data.”

Krzysko cited a success story of processes and data, noting that DOD technology analysts recently accessed PDF and Microsoft Word documents, compiled them, added tags, reviewed encryptions and, in six weeks’ time, “had the last year’s budget up and running on an Apple iPad.”

“We’re creating a cadre of people within the [defense] secretary’s office that are experts in acquisition information,” Krzysko said.

He stressed that the requirement remains to fully understand the processes, people and policy framework around the technology, data and acquisition evolution.

“We’re the fuel in the decision-making process; we are not the decision-making process,” Krsysko said. “We are just going to be a well-managed delivery outfit of information [the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics] can use.”