The U.S. Army has identified and resolved cybersecurity risks in an earlier iteration of its Next Generation Command and Control system, dubbed NGC2, Breaking Defense reported Wednesday.

Army Finds Faults in NGC2

A memo signed by Gabriele Chiulli, chief technology officer at the service’s chief information office, Sept. 5 revealed that the NGC2 “exhibits critical deficiencies in fundamental security controls, processes and governance.”

According to the document, the Army did not have the visibility and control required to ensure the security and integrity of the platform. Chiulli also called out a seeming “rush to get capabilities into the system without actual oversight” or an appropriate process to do it.

“These issues collectively create a significant risk to data, mission operations, and personnel by rendering the system vulnerable to insider threats, external attacks, and data spillage,” the official wrote at the time.

In a statement, Leonel Garciga, chief information officer of the Army and a two-time Wash100 winner, said the issues were immediately addressed through streamlined cybersecurity processes, which allowed the service to “quickly identify and assist the program office and vendor in triaging cybersecurity vulnerabilities and put mitigations in place.”

NGC2 works to provide commanders with a range of capabilities to support better and faster decision-making. 

The Defense Logistics Agency has officially established DLA Weapons Support, a major subordinate command tasked with delivering spare and repair parts for weapon systems across the joint force.

DLA Consolidates Class IX Support

The DLA said Wednesday the move, effective Oct. 1, consolidates the missions of DLA Aviation and DLA Land and Maritime under a single structure to streamline Class IX logistics operations. During the one-year transition, the subordinate command will be led jointly by Navy Rear Adm. Julie Treanor of Land and Maritime and Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Launey of Aviation. It will operate from the current Defense Supply Centers in Columbus, Ohio, and Richmond, Virginia.

Enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency

According to DLA Director Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly, combining the Class IX spare and repair parts mission under a single command aims to optimize support, establish standard best practices and enhance prioritization across the joint force. This strategic integration is intended to help the agency move faster and respond more effectively in highly contested operational environments.

“As the nation’s logistics combat support agency, it is vital that DLA evolves in parallel with the ever-changing landscape. Now is the time to accelerate transformation – modernizing DLA to be more adaptive, efficient and resilient,” said Simerly.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a 2025 Wash100 Award recipient, has unveiled new directives aimed at reshaping the culture and standards of the Department of Defense during a 45-minute address to senior military leaders at Quantico, Virginia. Hegseth outlined reforms that he said will restore focus on warfighter readiness, discipline and leadership, DOD said Tuesday.

“The topic today is about the nature of ourselves because no plan, no program, no reform [and] no formation will ultimately succeed unless we have the right people and the right culture at the Department of War,” Hegseth told the audience, underscoring his view that the military must prioritize warfighting above all else.

Fitness and Grooming Standards

Hegseth announced changes to fitness requirements, including two annual tests for active-duty service members. Combat arms personnel must complete a combat field test, while noncombat arms personnel must take a regular fitness test. Members of the National Guard and reserves will continue to undergo at least one fitness test annually.  

Warfighters in combat roles will now be required to meet a gender-neutral male standard, scoring at least 70 percent. Daily physical training is also mandated for all active-duty personnel.

“It all starts with physical fitness and appearance. If the secretary of war can do regular, hard [physical training], so can every member of our joint force,” Hegseth said.

On grooming, Hegseth announced that beards will no longer be authorized. Service members with medical exemptions will have one year to seek treatment for their conditions.

Culture and Leadership

The secretary said the department will review definitions of “toxic leadership,” bullying and hazing, with the goal of empowering commanders to enforce high standards without fear of reprisal.

“Leading warfighters toward the goals of high, gender-neutral and uncompromising standards in order to forge a cohesive, formidable and lethal Department of War is not toxic,” he said.

He also announced reforms to the equal opportunity and equal employment systems, noting that complaint processes should not deter commanders from taking necessary action. At the same time, Hegseth stressed that racism, harassment and similar infractions are illegal, and that punishment for such behavior will be “ruthlessly enforced.”

Promotions, Retention and Training

Promotions will be based strictly on merit, Hegseth said, with top performers advancing more quickly and poor performers leaving the service sooner. Minor or forgivable infractions will not permanently hinder careers, a change he said will allow leaders to retain promising warfighters.

“We’ll promote top-performing officers and send those faster [while getting] rid of poor performers more quickly. Evaluations, education and field exercises will become real,” Hegseth said.

He also announced plans to reduce the number of mandatory training courses, shifting time away from online modules toward hands-on readiness activities such as weapons training and maintenance.

“Less PowerPoint reviewer online courses, more time in the motor pool and more time on the [shooting] range,” he said.