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Feds pay out $17M to families sickened by Navy’s fuel-contaminated water in Hawaii
Each of the 629 people received about $27,000. Affected service members have received nothing.
Military recruiting hit a 15-year high. How quickly do recruits become mission ready?
How quickly recruits move from accession to operational qualification can affect force generation, unit staffing and long-term readiness planning.
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101st soldiers use drones to drop grappling hooks, breach razor wire
The Army should treat drones like ammo, one officer said, estimating a brigade needs between 1,000 to 1,500 drones per week in sustained combat operations.
Debate over women in combat prompts NDAA battles
The amendments follow Hegseth’s order that all the services develop gender-neutral physical fitness standards for all troops in ground combat roles.
Ukraine’s newest strike weapon drifts into Russia on the wind
The U.S. and Russia are fielding the same balloons used by Ukraine that bait air defenses and now launch missiles.
The Pentagon’s research infrastructure is ‘deteriorating,’ study finds
Pentagon research has been hampered by backlogged security clearances, limited funds to build or refurbish labs and a slow and difficult hiring process.
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Commentary
NATO allies promised Trump they’d secure the Arctic; they’ve got work to do
Through most of NATO’s eight-decade history, the inhospitable High North was low priority. That calculus is now changing.
Army launches new branch for military space operations
Following up on its “space vision,” the service created a home for its space operations officers.
US sending military warships, personnel to Venezuela in the wake of the nation’s devastating earthquakes
Two U.S. warships, the USS Fort Lauderdale and the littoral combat ship USS Billings have been dispatched to Venezuela following the nation's earthquakes.
US Army officer sentenced for secretly giving abortion drug to pregnant soldier
A U.S. Army officer who secretly gave abortion medication to a pregnant junior enlisted soldier was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison.
In other news
Ukraine’s top strike-drone maker moves into ballistic missile defense
Fire Point's drones already fly most of Kyiv's strikes inside Russia. With Germany's Hensoldt, the company is now building Freyja, a homegrown alternative.
Sailor reportedly finds dead rat in finished energy drink
The sailor said medical personnel informed him, “with the chemicals that are in Monster, that it should be OK.”
That time the Air Force proposed making a ‘gay bomb’
The Air Force once explored the idea of a chemical weapon that would make enemy soldiers sexually irresistible to one another — striking a blow to morale.
Master Chief actor condemns use of character in White House’s Iran war hype video
“I demand that the producers of this disgusting and juvenile war porn remove my voice immediately,” Steve Downes wrote in a post on X.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
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F-35 program chief says growth has outpaced sustainability for joint fighters
"We didn't put enough parts and pieces on the shelf," Lt. Gen. Gregory L. Masiello told a Senate subcommittee in a recent hearing.
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Advocates push Senate to drop changes in 90/10 rule for vets benefits
A provision in the Republican-backed reconciliation bill would roll back restrictions on what federal funds for-profit colleges can receive.
Hegseth, Collins promise fixes to post-military transition programs
VA and Pentagon leaders plan to review veteran transition programs to ensure separating troops are getting the support they need.
Lingering cost worries cloud plans for veterans disability reform bill
Advocates hope to restart momentum in Congress this year on the Major Richard Star Act.
TSA trained to accept military IDs in lieu of REAL IDs, officials say
A military ID is an acceptable alternative to the REAL ID, which is now required for passengers boarding domestic flights in the United States.
By Karen Jowers
Lunday picked to serve as next Coast Guard commandant
The acting leader of the service was announced as President Donald Trump's pick to fill the top Coast Guard post permanently.
House Dems offer bill to keep transgender troops in the ranks
The legislation could force a public vote by House defense lawmakers on whether transgender individuals should be allowed to serve in the military.
Senators demand new investigation into former Gen. Milley’s conduct
Republican lawmakers are asking for punishment against the former Joint Chiefs Chairman for perceived moves undermining civilian control of the military.
VA drops secondary review rule for community care medical appointments
Congress last year passed legislation designed to simplify the process for veterans seeking medical help outside the VA health care system.
More than 600 child care slots coming to these military families
The three new centers in the pilot program will be operated under the same Defense Department standards and use the same parent fee structure.
By Karen Jowers