The defense research chief, John Young, told defense reporters Thursday, acknowledged that the Pentagon’s lengthy budget process poses the biggest obstacle to quickly fielding new technologies. Young says that he is specifically focusing on technology transition from the lab to the field for time-sensitive efforts, such as IED jamming capabilities. As with most new technology, the moment it comes to “fruition,” it likely will have missed the program objective memorandum—the Pentagon’s five-year planning cycle for budgeting. He said that making the two ends meet “requires constant vigilance on the part of myself and my team.” Young recently sent transition letters to the services to tell them about projects that are near completion, encouraging them to quickly seek funding for the Fiscal 2008 POM.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…

