US District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled Thursday afternoon that the Pentagon’s new National Security Personnel System fails the union litmus test. Sullivan decided that NSPS “fails to ensure” collective bargaining, “does not meet” the Congressional requirement for independent third party review, and “fails to provide” fair treatment for employees who appeal adverse actions. (Read his opinion here.) What does this portend for NSPS? The Pentagon already has slowed implementation training. Officials say the DOD legal eagles are reviewing the decision.
Unit commanders are being told to separate service members who can’t shave their cheeks and chin for medical reasons for more than a year, according to new guidance from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.