The Defense Department plans to issue information on the details of the Fiscal 2010 defense budget before President Obama sends his entire budget proposal to the Congress, according to Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Speaking to the Defense Writers Group today in Washington, D.C., Levin said he had no specific date for when to expect this, but his understanding is that Defense Secretary Robert Gates is doing this for three reasons. First, Gates wants to preempt the inevitable press leaks that always occur in the days prior to the budget’s release. Second, Gates seeks to deflect some of the attention and criticism away from Obama and the overall budget over any of the painful defense cuts that are expected. And, third, this approach still allows for some time to make changes to the final version of the budget. Levin said he has heard the rumors that the budget’s formal release is slipping from April 21, but has not yet gotten anything confirming that through official channels.
The Air Force has more to do to lead by example, and to create a culture where people feel comfortable discussing sexual assault and other forms of violence with their superiors, service leadership said. The death of Army Spc. Vanessa Guillén, a 20-year-old Soldier who disappeared from Fort Hood, Texas,…