The Pentagon’s director for equal opportunity, Clarence Johnson, has been getting the word out that DOD wants to beef up its diversity—particularly with scientists and engineers. Speaking at the Minority Serving Institutions Research Partnerships Conference in Chicago, Johnson noted that backgrounds in engineering, math, and science open windows for students to military academies or employment as a DOD civilian and offer greater potential to reach senior leadership positions. Knowing the number of new engineers and scientists produced in the US is declining, Johnson says he wants to ensure parents and other “influencers” know DOD is hiring.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth vowed to undertake far-reaching reforms on the way the U.S. military buys weapons, promising a sweeping overhaul of the way the Defense Department determines requirements, handles the acquisition process, and tests its kit. The fundamental goal, which Hegseth underscored in a 1-hour and 10-minute speech…


