Air National Guard enlisted personnel have awarded the Order of the Sword—the highest accolade from noncommissioned officers—to Lt. Gen. Daniel James III, ANG director. ANG NCOs have only recognized seven other officers with the Sword for their efforts on behalf of enlisted members.
The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But according to U.S. defense officials, the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.

