Senior Writer, Stand Together. Proud Michigander. Hillsdale College '10.
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Articles by Mark Hensch
Twice the Public Servant
Twice the Public Servant Mark Hensch 2025-06-27 12:04:56 One of the freshman members of the 119th Congress is a drilling Air Guard nurse Rep. Sheri Biggs, R-S.C., has treated scores of people during her more than three decades in health care, but one patient stands out. Biggs deployed to the Middle East in 2018 as a nurse with the Mississippi Air National Guard’s 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, part of the 172nd Airlift Wing.
September/October 2024
The Fight at Home Mark Hensch 2024-11-13 05:04:33 For 35 years, the Guard has quietly helped the police reduce the supply and demand of drugs on America’s streets. Still, the battle rages on COMBATING DRUGS is both personal and professional for Sgt. 1st Class James Adams. For more than 35 years, his work with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and the Pennsylvania State Police has exposed him to the heartbreak of drug abuse.
September/October 2024
New Voices John Goheen, Mark Hensch, Donald Lambert 2024-11-13 05:37:21 Conference attendees this year hear speakers who don’t usually appear on the NGAUS stage, along with some familiar faces THE LARGEST NGAUS CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE in six years may have heard from the widest array of speakers in the event’s history.
Still Lethal, Still Ready
Still Lethal, Still Ready Mark Hensch 2024-08-13 07:50:39 Guard A-10 fighter unit completes deployment with aircraft the Air Force plans to retire soon IN EARLY JULY, about 300 members of the Maryland National Guard’s 175th Wing returned from a successful deployment to the Middle East. Having conducted seven previous deployments since 9/11, the A-10s in the wing’s 104th Fighter Squadron were “old-hats” at conducting combat operations in the region.
March/April/May 2024
Difficult Ascent Mark Hensch 2024-07-18 12:35:09 A deeply divided Congress and a big election complicate this year’s defense debates EXPECT ANOTHER LONG, TOUGH FIGHT over the defense budget this year in Congress. The battle lines are clear: The Republicans have slim control of the House. The Democrats have a similar margin in the Senate. The two chambers disagree on spending amounts and priorities.
Washington Update
Washington Update John Goheen, Mark Hensch 2024-03-07 09:15:33 NGAUS: DoD ‘Slow Rolling’ Will of Congress on S&I Pay Parity NGAUS has appealed to Congress to investigate why the Pentagon’s implementation plans for National Guard and Reserve special- and incentive-pay parity are more than 16 months overdue. Retired Maj. Gen. Francis M.
Washington Update
Washington Update John Goheen, Mark Hensch 2023-12-14 05:17:32 THE LATEST CAPITOL HILL NEWS Stopgap 2024 Budget Punts Spending Decision to New Year The two-tiered stopgap spending measure President Joe Biden signed Nov. 16 will fund some federal agencies into January, and others into February. The continuing resolution developed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., averted a federal funding lapse and subsequent government shutdown that would have begun Nov. 18.
ICYMI: National Guard Association of the United St... | U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire
WASHINGTON – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan is pushing to pass her bipartisan billwith Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to expand parental leave eligibility for Reserve and National Guard members to cover all new parents as part of this year’s final National Defense Authorization Act. Currently, for members of the Reserves and National Guard, only birth mothers can receive parental leave benefits, leaving out spouses and parents of adoptive or foster children.
Box Of Change
How a top Army training event and the Army National Guard are moving forward together FORT JOHNSON, Louisiana SOLDIERS REFER TO THE SPRAWLING MANEUVER area at ...
Washington Update
Final House Defense Policy Bill Includes Many Guard Provisions The House's final version of the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2670) ...
Added+Benefits
Added+Benefits Mark Hensch 2023-08-10 06:12:09 New state laws have some Guardsmen and their families eligible for some special money-saving new programs SPOUSES AND CHILDREN of Michigan National Guardsmen can now receive financial help to go to college or trade schools through the Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program, which previously was only open to those in uniform.
Nearing The End
Nearing The End Mark Hensch 2023-06-14 06:39:18 Guard A-10 units will hate to see their beloved fighter go. Not knowing what will follow makes it even tougher THE A-10 THUNDERBOLT II is something of an acquired taste. It isn’t sleek like a typical jet fighter. And it would never win a race against an F-15, F-16 or F-35. But the platform affectionally known as the Warthog has its fans.
Washington Update
Washington Update 2023-06-14 06:10:55 THE LATEST CAPITOL HILL NEWS Space National Guard Bill Reintroduced in the House Rep. Jason Crow, D-Colo., and Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colo., reintroduced legislation in May that would create a Space National Guard under the Space Force. If passed, the Space National Guard Establishment Act (H.R. 3048) would move the roughly 1,000 space professionals in 16 Air Guard units across eight states and territories to the new component.
Washington Update
Washington Update 2023-05-09 05:53:13 Lawmakers Push to Expand Guard, Reserve Parental Leave A bipartisan push to expand parental leave eligibility to all National Guard and Reserve parents is underway in both chambers of Congress. Currently, the reserve-component maternity program gives birth mothers three months of excused absences from drill with retirement points. The Reserve Component Parental Leave Parity Act (S.
Additional Duty
Additional Duty Mark Hensch 2023-05-09 06:20:47 Two new members of Congress are juggling lawmaking with their continuing military service TWO FRESH FACES IN THE 118TH CONGRESS need no introduction to the National Guard. Rep. Jeff Jackson, D-N.C., and Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, have lived it for many years and plan on continuing their service in uniform. Jackson, 40, is a major serving as an Army Guard judge advocate general in the North Carolina National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh.
New Charge
New Charge Mark Hensch, John Goheen 2023-04-04 08:11:35 Guard vehicles are going electric as part of a major military-wide effort to fight climate change. But the plan relies on technology still years away After generations of service around the globe in a vast array of models, gas-powered vehicles are on the way out of the U.S. military. The move is part of a Defense Department plan to field fully electrical fleets of non-tactical vehicles by 2035 and tactical vehicles by 2050.
3 Things Your Agency’s Data Recovery Plan Needs - GovLoop
Big Data, Cybersecurity, Open Data Data loss is one of the public sector’s worst nightmares. Agencies handle personal information, so there is no government that can risk misplacing this data without potentially hurting constituent trust. The plot only thickens now that most agencies have hybrid workforces mixing on-site and remote employees. With no limit to the cybersecurity perimeters they must defend, how can agencies shield their data from today’s global threat landscape?
Inside the IRS’s Digital Microlearning Program - GovLoop
Digital Government, Human Resources, Learning, Professional Development The Internal Revenue Service handles all federal taxes, so training employees about such a huge responsibility can seem intimidating. But, since 2013, the Self-Help Online Tutorials (SHOTs) program has been the IRS’s secret weapon. SHOTs utilize microlearning — or short, simple educational videos — to inform IRS workers about topics such as safety leave.
8 Best Practices for Virtual Collaboration and Training
At this point, federal workforces on down have experimented with remote work. With virtual government no longer hypothetical, agencies must decide how they will balance collaborating, operating and training in person and virtually. Most agencies, however, are used to doing things physically. So how do agencies that have never worked virtually take the first step? Every agency’s response depends on different factors, including budget restraints, workforce demands and available technology.
A Real Rescue Dog
A Real Rescue Dog Mark Hensch 2022-11-29 05:34:59 Meet Callie, the U.S. military’s first search and rescue dog AN ENERGETIC FIVE-YEAR-OLD was the face of the National Guard’s response to the severe flash flooding that hit eastern portions of the state in late July. Callie, a search and rescue dog belonging to the Kentucky Air Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, was among the hundreds of Guard soldiers and airmen from Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia involved in the effort to save lives.
How America Defeated ISIS
Posted By John Sorensen On Date August 4, 2022 RealClearDefense Contributor John Waters and "Hot Wash" host John Sorensen speak with Michael Gordon national security correspondent at the Wall Street Journal, about his new book “Degrade and Destroy: The Inside Story of the War Against the Islamic State, From Barack Obama to Donald Trump.” Show comments Hide Comments Advertisement
Procuring Your Agency’s Secure Digital Displays - GovLoop
Most people understand that when devices connect to networks, they can become a security risk. But think about the large digital displays many agencies use to direct visitors and share information with employees. While not traditional devices, these displays must still be protected when they connect to networks. “Anything with an IP address is suspect,” said Mike Bahniuk, Director of Federal at Samsung, an electronics and IT solutions provider.
High Speed
Issue List September 2022 July/August 2022 June 2022 2022-2023 Products & Services Directory May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 Dec. 2021/Jan.
Lightning Strikes
Issue List May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 Dec. 2021/Jan.
Ticking Clock
Issue List April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 Dec. 2021/Jan.
How to Cross the Analytic Divide and Democratize Data - GovLoop
Analytics, IT Modernization Mark Hensch March 29, 2022 The more data agencies have, the more its potential for innovation and growth may not impact people equally. To avoid leaving employees or constituents behind, agencies must make data analytics accessible to everyone. How can agencies close this divide between the people who can and cannot analyze data?
Getting the Info Your Agency Needs in Moments that Matter - GovLoop
Analytics, Citizen Engagement, Cloud Mark Hensch March 15, 2022 No one wants to hunt for the right answer when the clock is ticking. Yet too often, government employees and their customers do just that. Now, many agencies are realizing that their constituents and workers cannot find actionable insights quickly and easily. When tackling challenges such as severe weather, delays in discovering crucial information can affect everyone involved.
3 Counter-Intuitive Rules for Improving CX - GovLoop
Citizen Engagement, Cloud Mark Hensch March 7, 2022 More than ever, the public sector recognizes that customer experience (CX) is key to mission success. Look at the executive order on transforming federal CX. Initiatives like these demonstrate that agencies nationwide want to improve their customer interactions. How can governments at every level make their operations more customer-centric? One option is cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM).
Avoiding Ransomware Horror Stories
Cybersecurity, Digital Government, Tech Mark Hensch March 2, 2022 Like horror movie monsters, ransomware can seem unstoppable. Seemingly daily, this malicious software disrupts new governments. For victims, choosing between paying attackers and losing data frightens the entire public sector. How can agencies avoid such terrifying predicaments? At every level, business continuity is key.
How to Keep Employees and Constituents Happy - GovLoop
Citizen Engagement, Cloud Mark Hensch February 28, 2022 Public-sector customer experience (CX) is complex and gets to the heart of how employees and constituents interact with and perceive agencies’ products and services. Yet pleasing both groups grows harder every time government workforce, budget and other constraints change. How can agencies fit their talent and constituents under the same umbrella while satisfying everyone’s needs?
Meeting Your Agency’s Need for Speed
Cybersecurity, Digital Government, IT Modernization Mark Hensch February 23, 2022 Governments are like cars – the faster agencies go, the more risks facing their operations. And like customers avoid poor automobiles, constituents will shun agencies providing a subpar customer experience (CX). To create a quality CX, today’s agencies must balance security with launching products and services. Agencies looking to innovate while avoiding security accidents should consider DevSecOps.
3 Reasons to Grow Your Emotional Intelligence - GovLoop
Leadership, Professional Development Mark Hensch February 11, 2022 If you have not heard of emotional intelligence (EQ), you should get it on your radar. EQ is the ability to understand and manage emotions, so it is a potentially priceless skill at your agency. The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on physical, mental and emotional health has only increased emotional intelligence’s importance.
Improving Your Agency Without Limits
Digital Government, Innovation, IT Modernization Mark Hensch February 9, 2022 The COVID-19 pandemic has tested everyone, but the crisis has also taught agencies valuable lessons about serving the public. When times are tough, agencies now know they can improve their operations quickly and continuously. More importantly, agencies are realizing limitless innovation is the secret to getting people the products and services they need when it matters.
Q&A: Getting Schooled on Zero-Trust Security - GovLoop
Cybersecurity, State and Local Mark Hensch February 4, 2022 In the old days, government cybersecurity depended on network perimeters protecting agencies’ data and other resources. But the new days are making this strategy seem outdated. The more government employees work remotely, the more porous agencies’ network perimeters become. Furthermore, more sensitive information about constituents is exposed than ever.
What Agencies Can Learn from Moving
Cloud, IT Modernization, Project Management Mark Hensch February 2, 2022 Moving is not just a universal experience – it is an activity that can guide agencies adopting cloud computing. How are packing boxes and furniture like migrating applications and data? The answer is planning. Like strategizing can improve moving homes, plotting out cloud adoptions can make them easier for agencies.
How to Ready Your Agency’s Data for Decision-Making
Big Data, Digital Government, Open Data Mark Hensch January 27, 2022 Agencies want data to make a difference for their missions, but leveraging this information is easier said than done. For starters, collecting and managing data grows harder every time new devices create more of it. Next, sensitive data must be kept private and secure. Most importantly, no data can inform people if they cannot share or collaborate on it.
Why Your Agency Should Think About Identities
Cloud, Cybersecurity, Digital Government Mark Hensch January 19, 2022 If your agency doesn’t have an identity and access management (IAM) strategy, it should. IAM strategies cover the policies and technologies agencies use to ensure the right entities are accessing the right resources. Without strong IAM, agencies may be vulnerable to disruptive security incidents. For evidence, look at users. Most users have a login and password, and the government variety is no exception.
3 Things Your Agency’s Data Recovery Plan Needs
Big Data, Cybersecurity, Open Data Mark Hensch January 13, 2022 Data loss is one of the public sector’s worst nightmares. Agencies handle personal information, so there is no government that can risk misplacing this data without potentially hurting constituent trust. The plot only thickens now that most agencies have hybrid workforces mixing on-site and remote employees.
The Secret for Dealing With Cybersecurity Changes
Cybersecurity, Digital Government, Tech Mark Hensch January 3, 2022 This blog is the third of three articles about the value of understanding the latest trends in government technology. GovLoop partnered on this series with GovWhitePapers, a hub for educational content and thought leadership about the public sector.
Reaching Your Agency’s Goals With Data
Analytics, Big Data, Cloud Mark Hensch December 14, 2021 Sometimes, government data seems like the ocean – there is water everywhere but not a drop to drink. How can agencies use their vast stockpiles of data to reach their goals more easily? Data analytics can quench agencies’ thirst for actionable insights, but only if they treat this information as a strategic asset first. To do so, agencies need workplace cultures that embrace data analytics across their people, processes and technology.
Best of USAJobs Government Career Listings for December 3, 2021
Career, Leadership, Professional Development Mark Hensch December 3, 2021 This week’s USAJobs roundup continues GovLoop’s recent refresh of the concept. We’ve decided to revamp the series to keep it as relevant as possible for our community. Below, you’ll find ten of the most common job titles or phrases among our community of 30,000 public servants. Click on a link and it will take you to a USAJobs.gov search, sorted by most recent. 1. Director 2. Manager 3. Program Analyst 4. Executive 5.
Best of USAJobs Government Career Listings for November 19, 2021
Career, Leadership, Professional Development Mark Hensch November 19, 2021 This week’s USAJobs roundup continues GovLoop’s recent refresh of the concept. We’ve decided to revamp the series to keep it as relevant as possible for our community. Below, you’ll find ten of the most common job titles or phrases among our community of 30,000 public servants. Click on a link and it will take you to a USAJobs.gov search, sorted by most recent. 1. Director 2. Manager 3. Program Analyst 4. Executive 5.
How to Develop the Best Talent at Your Agency
Career, Professional Development, Tech Mark Hensch November 10, 2021 This blog is the second of three articles about the value of understanding the latest trends in government technology. GovLoop partnered on this series with GovWhitePapers, a hub for educational content and thought leadership about the public sector.
Best of USAJobs Government Career Listings for November 5, 2021
Career, Leadership, Professional Development Mark Hensch November 5, 2021 This week’s USAJobs roundup continues GovLoop’s recent refresh of the concept. We’ve decided to revamp the series to keep it as relevant as possible for our community. Below, you’ll find ten of the most common job titles or phrases among our community of 30,000 public servants. Click on a link and it will take you to a USAJobs.gov search, sorted by most recent. 1. Director 2. Manager 3. Program Analyst 4. Executive 5.
3 Ways Automation Can Lighten Your Agency’s Burdens
Digital Government, Emerging Tech, Tech Mark Hensch October 28, 2021 The public sector’s list of compliance burdens sometimes seems like a mountain that never stops growing. For agencies, dealing with even one compliance concern – say, financial fraud – can appear endless. But all hope is not lost. Agencies straining under their compliance workloads may want to consider automation. Automation involves machines performing simple, manual tasks with little to no human input.
Understanding Tech Trends to Improve Your Agency’s Cybersecurity, Tools and Teams
Cloud, IT Modernization, Tech Mark Hensch October 27, 2021 This blog is the first of three articles about the value of understanding the latest trends in government technology. GovLoop partnered on this series with GovWhitePapers, a hub for educational content and thought leadership about the public sector. Working together, we aim to explain how ongoing awareness of technology trends can make agencies safer, strengthen their teams and help their employees use their tools more effectively.
Q&A: Getting Schooled on Zero Trust Security
Cybersecurity, Digital Government, State and Local Mark Hensch October 26, 2021 An interview with Jeff Brown, Chief Information Security Officer, Connecticut Connecticut Chief Information Security Officer Jeff Brown In the old days, government cybersecurity depended on network perimeters protecting agencies’ data and other resources. But the new days are making this strategy seem outdated. The more government employees work remotely, the more porous agencies’ network perimeters become.
Simplifying and Securing Hybrid Clouds
Cloud, Cybersecurity, IT Modernization Mark Hensch October 26, 2021 The Challenge: Convoluted Cloud Environments President Joe Biden’s executive order (EO) on cybersecurity suggests the cloud will play a pivotal role in the federal government’s future; it urges agencies to maximize the technology’s flexibility and scalability rapidly and securely. But what can happen if agencies embrace the cloud too rapidly? The answer is haphazard and insecure IT environments.
Best of USAJobs Government Career Listings for October 22, 2021
Career, Leadership, Professional Development Mark Hensch October 22, 2021 This week’s USAJobs roundup continues GovLoop’s recent refresh of the concept. We’ve decided to revamp the series to keep it as relevant as possible for our community. Below, you’ll find ten of the most common job titles or phrases among our community of 30,000 public servants. Click on a link and it will take you to a USAJobs.gov search, sorted by most recent. 1. Director 2. Manager 3. Program Analyst 4. Executive 5.
San Antonio’s 311 Service Paves the Way for Customer Service in a Post-COVID World
Citizen Engagement, Digital Government, State and Local Mark Hensch October 20, 2021 Local governments emerging from the COVID-19 shutdowns into the still-uncertain world of hybrid operations have an ongoing challenge when it comes to providing citizen services. How do they handle the increasing demand for digital services and meet the elevated expectations for how those services are delivered while accommodating the needs of a hybrid workforce?
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