Defense Jobs Shift from Wartime Footing
As war funding shrinks and the Pentagon looks for savings in its budget, defense contracting jobs may be pruned as well, according to the Orlando Sentinel. BENS Vice President for Policy Paul Taibl
warns in the story that although defense contractors may be weathering the economic downturn better than most industries, recently announced cuts in the military's budget may be only "the tip of the iceberg."
"Voices of Veterans" A new case study from Gilbane Group, a technology analysis and consulting firm, studies the BENS-led Warrior Gateway website for veterans. A unique aspect of the Gateway, the study says, is that it allows veterans and their families to comment on, rate and review veterans service providers. These "voices of veterans" make Warrior Gateway "more than simply an online catalog of service providers."
GAO: Thumbs Up for BENS
BENS’ work in 2009 helping U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) improve its strategic planning to prepare better for regional security challenges is a successful example of public-private collaboration, a new Government Accountability Office report says. The report studied SOUTHCOM’s cooperation with other government agencies and the private sector, noting that the BENS engagement indicates increased public-private activities that help the command to “conduct a full range of missions,” such as responding to the January 2010 Haiti earthquake.
BENS on the Campaign Trail
Congressional races are heating up, and that means only one thing at BENS: Campaign 2010: Innovative Ideas for Securing America is hot off the presses. The biennial guide offers solutions to some classic BENS’ issues—such as combating weapons of mass destruction and streamlining Department of Homeland Security oversight—while also addressing hot topics like veterans care and the national debt’s impact on national security. Copies of Campaign 2010 are in the mail and it can also be read here.
On Leadership: Playing the blame game? The Washington Post asks whether corporate executives complaining of an anti-business attitude in Washington are exhibiting leadership or just pointing fingers, and BENS President & CEO Gen. Monty Meigs has a response at the On Leadership blog.
Ash Carter on "Better Buying Power" Unless the military and its industry partners work together
to reduce overhead costs and improve efficiency in how the Pentagon buys goods and services, the U.S. will not be able to support the troops with the capabilities they need. That was the message from the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Ash Carter on June 28 in Washington, D.C. Carter addressed a group of business executives--including 40 BENS members--on new efforts to achieve "better buying power" by cutting costs in a tightening budget environment. He also called on the private sector to offer its own cost-cutting ideas. BENS is currently working with the Defense Department's Office of Industrial Policy to enhance dialogue between the military and business community to achieve improved procurement processes. Read Carter's memo to the acquisition workforce here and his briefing slides here.
BENS CEO Warns on National Debt One of the biggest threats facing America doesn't come from hostile countries but from the national debt, BENS President & CEO Gen. Monty Meigs told a Binghamton University Forum audience June 12 in Binghamton, N.Y. At a black-tie gala to honor the university's retiring president, Gen. Meigs discussed strategic challenges for the U.S., including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but said the nation's fiscal situation is the greatest problem. More: Fox 40 WICZ •Press & Sun-Bulletin
Public-Private Collaboration: The Next Big Thing
Ensuring global security will require increased collaboration with the private sector, Adm. James Stavridis, Commander of U.S. European Command, writes in a new blog post. "As the globe shrinks, the linkages that determine our collective well-being and global security become more and more complex, or intertwined. Likewise, those linkages are increasingly defined by the influence of non-military enterprises. In fact, I believe that today, the next 'big thing' is public-private collaboration," Stavridis says. The post includes photos of BENS members meeting with military officials in Europe and calls for more of the approach pioneered by BENS: tapping the private sector's desire to enhance U.S. security.
New York City Joins Warrior Gateway
The Big Apple is now a big partner with the BENS-led Warrior Gateway website for veterans. On May 24, New York City became the nation’s first city to partner with Warrior Gateway, and will provide a comprehensive list of services available to veterans throughout the five boroughs via the site. More than forty New York City organizations have provided their service information to Warrior Gateway, with more to come. Read the press release. Read an Associated Press report about Warrior Gateway.
Gen. Chuck Boyd Receives Eisenhower Award
With over 700 guests in attendance, former BENS President & CEO Gen. Chuck Boyd, USAF (Ret.) received the Eisenhower Award May 19 at the annual BENS Washington, D.C., black-tie gala. Emcee Tom Brokaw praised Gen. Boyd's lifetime of dedication to country as a national security intellectual and leader. Keynote speaker Gen. David Petraeus also honored Gen. Boyd and
took questions from the audience about developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Read TIME columnist Joe Klein's reflections on the gala.Read Gen. Boyd's remarks. The dinner followed the annual BENS Forum, which featured a slate of national security experts who discussed cyber security, new strategic threats, arms control, the national debt and veterans' issues. To read a transcript of Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Ellen Tauscher's remarks at the forum, click here.
Watch Gen. Boyd's acceptance remarks - I Belong to Uncle Sam:
BENS — Nurturing Disaster Preparedness & Recovery
Emergency Management Magazine reports how the private sector has stepped up in recent years to help during disasters under the BENS public-private partnership model. To read the article, click here.
New Decade, New Challenges: BENS Annual Forum
How will the U.S. avoid a digital disaster caused by cyber attacks? How does the national debt impact national security? Are rising nations like China competitors or adversaries? How will America care for its returning veterans? For the latest answers on these topics and more, look no further than the annual BENS Washington Forum, which is focused this year on the new challenges of a new decade. Set for May 19, the forum features a slate of national security heavy hitters, including:
• Lt. Gen. David Fridovich, Vice Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command
• The Honorable James N. Miller Jr., Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy
• The Honorable Ellen O. Tauscher, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security
• The Honorable Gordon Adams, Former Associate Director for National Security and International Affairs, Office of Management and Budget
Panel: “Veterans – America’s Future Business Leaders”:
• Raymond M. Jefferson, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training Service
• Linda L. Singh, Senior Vice President, Army Programs, Accenture
• Robin Portman, Senior Vice President, Booz Allen Hamilton (moderator)
The forum will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Atrium Ballroom of The Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Later that evening, BENS will present the Eisenhower Award to Gen. Charles Boyd. Click here to register for the dinner and forum.
Award-Winning Innovation — The Warrior Gateway, led by BENS, was honored on May 5 with the MarkLogic Innovation Award for “demonstrating unique leadership…to build cutting-edge solutions.” The award was presented at MarkLogic's 7th annual User Conference in San Francisco.
Business Leaders in Action, Results for America: BENS Leadership Report 2010 — A review of BENS' recent, ongoing and planned initiatives, their impact on national security, the places we’ve visited, the leaders we’ve met and our never-ending effort to grow our membership and remain a good steward of our resources. Click here for the new report.
Defense Acquisition: Getting Closer to Best — Less than a year after the release of the BENS defense acquisition reform study “Getting to Best,” many of its recommendations are already moving forward in Congress. The House Armed Services Committee’s Defense Acquisition Reform Panel invited BENS to comment on the panel’s findings and recommendations, which were released March 23. The report includes many BENS recommendations, such as including more key stakeholders in the acquisition process, jettisoning a “one-size fits all” approach to procurement, and building a well-trained acquisition workforce. BENS expects many of the recommendations to be included in the 2011 fiscal year Defense Authorization Act this summer, and will work with the Committee to garner broad support for the provisions.
Gen. Meigs On Leadership
BENS President & CEO Gen. Montgomery Meigs argues in the latest Washington Post "On Leadership" blog entry for the U.S. taking the long view in dealing with challenges from Israel and China. Click here to read the blog.
A Gateway for America's Warriors
Finding service providers, landing a job and connecting with fellow veterans is about to get a lot easier for America’s military personnel. On March 15, Warrior Gateway – a website that allows veterans and their families to quickly find the support they need to return to civilian life – made its public debut. For more, read the March BENS Update.
A Business Approach to Afghanistan Governance
Good governance, economic development and sustainable infrastructure will play a key role in U.S. success in Afghanistan. But how can the U.S. military and other government agencies help deliver the capabilities to make it happen? For private-sector insight on solving the challenge, the Office of the Secretary of Defense is looking to BENS members. On Feb. 18, eight BENS members met in Washington, D.C., with defense officials to help them develop a plan that will inform Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of all NATO forces in Afghanistan, and his intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. Michael Flynn, on how to bring technology and training programs to local Afghan communities that will help improve socio-economic development. BENS member suggestions will be incorporated into a briefing that will be presented to Gen. McChrystal and Maj. Gen. Flynn in March.
BENS Works 2010 From helping veterans return home to improving disaster response capabilities and saving energy at the Defense Department, BENS is working with numerous government partners to tackle a wide range of security challenges this year. For an overview of major 2010 BENS initiatives, click here.
A Model for Disaster Preparation
In its January report card on the government's efforts to combat weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, the bipartisan Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism once again praised BENS-pioneered public-private homeland security partnerships. Using the BENS model, "communities and states will acquire most of the capabilities needed to respond in the event of a man-made disaster, or WMD attack, and clearly identify those capabilities that must be reinforced," the report said.
BENS Welcomes New CEO
He’s led U.S. troops in Vietnam, the Persian Gulf and Bosnia. He’s directed the military’s efforts to combat deadly roadside bombs in Iraq. And he’s spent time in the classroom, both as a student and teacher, helping to build the next generation of national security experts. Now, former U.S. Army Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs has a new assignment: leading American business executives to improve national security with private-sector expertise and innovation. On Jan. 1, 2010, Gen. Meigs became the next BENS President & CEO as U.S. Air Force Gen. Chuck Boyd (Ret.) stepped down at the end of 2009 after more than seven years on the job. Gen. Boyd will continue offering his experience and expertise to BENS as a member of the Board of Directors.
only one thing at BENS: Campaign 2010: Innovative Ideas for Securing America is hot off the presses. The biennial guide offers solutions to some classic BENS’ issues—such as combating weapons of mass destruction and streamlining Department of Homeland Security oversight—while also addressing hot topics like veterans care and the national debt’s impact on national security. Copies of Campaign 2010 are in the mail and it can also be read 
work together
to reduce overhead costs and improve efficiency in how the Pentagon buys goods and services, the U.S. will not be able to support the troops with the capabilities they need. That was the message from the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Ash Carter on June 28 in Washington, D.C. Carter addressed a group of business executives--including 40 BENS members--on new efforts to achieve "better buying power" by cutting costs in a tightening budget environment. He also called on the private sector to offer its own cost-cutting ideas. BENS is currently working with the Defense Department's Office of Industrial Policy to enhance dialogue between the military and business community to achieve improved procurement processes. Read Carter's memo to the acquisition workforce 
BENS President & CEO Gen. Monty Meigs told a Binghamton University Forum audience June 12 in Binghamton, N.Y. At a black-tie gala to honor the university's retiring president, Gen. Meigs discussed strategic challenges for the U.S., including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but said the nation's fiscal situation is the greatest problem. More: 
took questions from the audience about developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan. 
Secretary Robert Gates addressed a BENS audience April 20 in Washington, D.C., on proposed reforms to the U.S. export control system. President Obama's recent initiative on increasing U.S. exports included a national security element to protect critical items and technologies. BENS has long supported updating and reforming the export control system to balance industry competitiveness and national security.
Business Leaders in Action, Results for America: BENS Leadership Report 2010 — A review of BENS' recent, ongoing and planned initiatives, their impact on national security, the places we’ve visited, the leaders we’ve met and our never-ending effort to grow our membership and remain a good steward of our resources. 
fellow veterans is about to get a lot easier for America’s military personnel. On March 15, .gif)
U.S. success in Afghanistan. But how can the U.S. military and other government agencies help deliver the capabilities to make it happen? For private-sector insight on solving the challenge, the Office of the Secretary of Defense is looking to BENS members. On Feb. 18, eight BENS members met in Washington, D.C., with defense officials to help them develop a plan that will inform Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of all NATO forces in Afghanistan, and his intelligence chief, Maj. Gen. Michael Flynn, on how to bring technology and training programs to local Afghan communities that will help improve socio-economic development. BENS member suggestions will be incorporated into a briefing that will be presented to Gen. McChrystal and Maj. Gen. Flynn in March. 
improving disaster response capabilities and saving energy at the Defense Department, BENS is working with numerous government partners to tackle a wide range of security challenges this year. For an overview of major 2010 BENS initiatives,