What's Brewin Archive

August 8, 2008

$355 million for GI bill claims system?01/12/09That's one conclusion that could be drawn from a planning meeting that the Space and Naval Warfare System Command held in December to discuss building a network to process claims for educational benefits that veterans will file under the new GI bill. The Veterans Affairs Department tapped SPAWAR to develop the system.>>

Lest We Forget12/22/08As we dig into our holiday turkey or ham in the comfort of home and hearth, it would be a good idea time to pause to remember those who serve far from home and comfort. >>

Fast Track for Shinseki VA Confirmation12/15/08The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee plans to hold a hearing on the presumptive nomination of former Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki for VA secretary. >>

Before Building, Lock in the Spectrum12/08/08The Defense Department released a reform policy requiring managers of any program that depends on the spectrum to affirm in writing to the Defense chief information officer that the spectrum the program needs is, or will be, available before program managers start tossing around billions of dollars. >>

A GPS Satellite Gap?12/01/08I just finished reading the 40-page (actually 34 pages, subtracting three pages of acronyms and three blank pages) biennial report on the Global Positioning System, which Defense Chief Information Officer John Grimes submitted to Congress in October, and it looks like we could face a serious GPS satellite gap next year. >>

Playing Nice with Others11/24/08Playing nice. That's the take of Brig. Gen. James Ferron, director general for information management for the Canadian Forces, who told the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association's MILCOM conference in San Diego Nov. 17-19 that he was both surprised by and pleased at the readiness of the United States to share intelligence with partners and allies during his tour as NATO intelligence chief in Afghanistan. >>

Claims Department11/17/08Several weeks ago, I reported that the Veterans Affairs Department had tapped the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command to develop the IT system to process claims for the new GI bill, which goes into effect August 2009. >>

Six Ways to Honor Those Who Served11/10/08This Tuesday marks Veterans Day, and federal workers have two choices on this day off: shop or honor veterans. Since the economy has tanked, save money and take the time to pay tribute. >>

The Story Behind the GI Bill IT System11/03/08Last week I reported that the Veterans Affairs Department tapped the Space and Naval Warfare System Command to develop an IT system to manage the complex benefits under the new GI bill, which President Bush signed this summer and goes into effect in August 2009. VA hired SPAWAR, officials said, because the department lacked the resources to do the job. >>

Staying Alive10/27/08The $16 billion Transformational Communication Satellite program appeared to hit a serious speed bump last week, according to news reports, including one from Reuters that said a high-level Pentagon panel put off award of the broadband satellite contract from December until the summer or fall of 2010. >>

10/20/08The Super Cyber Command

10/14/08Now the Navy Is Doing the Cyber Command Thing

10/06/08A better way to track supplies

09/29/08The AHLTA Syndrome

09/22/08The Cyber Command sweepstakes winner is ...

09/15/08No More Secrets?

09/08/08Powering Through

09/01/08YouTube, MySpace and PTSD

08/25/08Cyberspace and the future of the Air Force

08/18/08DISA's GoDaddy Guy

08/11/08An RFID Game Plan

08/04/08DISA's New Gig