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 Resource Type: Text
 Collection: Congressional Research Service Reports
Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress

Date: February 27, 2012
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Description: The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened interest in, and concerns about, the region's future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in the region. The Arctic has increasingly become a subject of discussion among political leaders of the nations in the region. In varying degrees, the Arctic coastal states have indicated a willingness to establish and maintain a military presence in the high north. U.S. military forces, particularly the Navy and Coast Guard, have begun to pay more attention to the region.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress

Coast Guard Polar Icebreaker Modernization: Background and Issues for Congress

Date: February 24, 2012
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Description: This report provides background information and issues for Congress on the modernization of the Coast Guard's polar icebreaker fleet, which performs a variety of missions supporting U.S. interests in polar regions.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress

Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress

Date: January 6, 2012
Creator: O'Rourke, Ronald
Description: The planned size of the Navy, the rate of Navy ship procurement, and the prospective affordability of the Navy's shipbuilding plans have been matters of concern for the congressional defense committees for the past several years. The Navy's proposed FY2012 budget requested funding for the procurement of 10 new battle force ships. Issues for Congress include the appropriate future size and structure of the Navy in light of changes in strategic and budget circumstances, the sufficiency of the Navy's FY2012 30-year shipbuilding plan for achieving and maintaining the Navy's 313-ship goal, and the affordability of the FY2012 30-year shipbuilding plan.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress

U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress

Date: July 15, 2011
Creator: Feickert, Andrew
Description: This report discusses Special Operations Forces (SOFs), which are elite military units with special training and equipment that can infiltrate hostile territory through land, sea, or air to conduct a variety of operations, many of them classified.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress

U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress

Date: May 18, 2011
Creator: Feickert, Andrew
Description: This report discusses Special Operations Forces (SOFs), which are elite military units with special training and equipment that can infiltrate hostile territory through land, sea, or air to conduct a variety of operations, many of them classified.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Intelligence Issues for Congress

Intelligence Issues for Congress

Date: May 17, 2011
Creator: Best Jr., Richard A.
Description: To address the challenges facing the U.S. intelligence community in the 21st century, congressional and executive branch initiatives have sought to improve coordination among the different agencies and to encourage better analysis. In December 2004, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act (P.L. 108-458) was signed, providing for a Director of National Intelligence (DNI) with substantial authorities to manage the national intelligence effort. The legislation also established a separate Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Department of Defense Trends in Overseas Contract Obligations

Department of Defense Trends in Overseas Contract Obligations

Date: May 16, 2011
Creator: Schwartz, Moshe
Description: The Department of Defense (DOD) has long relied on contractors to support military operations. Contractors provide the U.S. military with weapons, food, uniforms, and logistic services, and without contractor support, the U.S. would currently be unable to arm and field an effective fighting force. DOD spends more on federal contracts than all other federal agencies combined.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Department of Defense Contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq: Background and Analysis

Department of Defense Contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq: Background and Analysis

Date: May 13, 2011
Creator: Schwartz, Moshe
Description: This report provides a detailed analysis of contractor personnel trends and contracting dollars obligated in U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Afghanistan, and Iraq.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
The Department of Defense's Use of Private Security Contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq: Background, Analysis, and Options for Congress

The Department of Defense's Use of Private Security Contractors in Afghanistan and Iraq: Background, Analysis, and Options for Congress

Date: May 13, 2011
Creator: Schwartz, Moshe
Description: This report examines current PSC trends in Afghanistan and Iraq, steps DOD has taken to improve oversight and management, and the impact using private security personnel can have on military operations. It also reviews steps Congress has taken to exercise oversight over the use of PSCs and includes options for Congress.
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
Military Pay and Benefits: Key Questions and Answers

Military Pay and Benefits: Key Questions and Answers

Date: May 13, 2011
Creator: Henning, Charles A.
Description: This report addresses the role of military pay in manning the Armed Forces, the types of pay increases used in the past, recent reforms in managing pay, and the role of the Employment Cost Index in determining basic pay increases. The report also reviews the compensation benefits specifically available to military personnel participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)/Operation New Dawn (OND) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Contributing Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department