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VA leaders push back deadline for caregiver program changes to 2028
Some families could have been disenrolled from the caregiver benefits program in late 2026, but will now get two more years of support.
House advances $832 billion military budget plan for next fiscal year
Only a few Democrats broke ranks to support the House's spending plan for Defense Department operations in fiscal 2026.
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Navy pledges almost $300 million for new housing on Guam
In May, an independent government watchdog released a report on subpar barracks conditions on Andersen Air Force Base.
Senate panel backs plans for $456 billion VA budget next year
The proposed appropriations package would push total VA spending about $400 billion for the first time.
Senators criticize CFPB for dropping action on troops’ overdraft fees
CFPB ordered Navy Federal in November 2024 to pay $80 million to service members unfairly charged overdraft fees. CFPB terminated that mandate this month.
VA’s #2 leader downplays political strife between Congress, department
Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence said his relationship with congressional Democrats is strong, despite public fighting.
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Next-generation destroyers to pack more missiles, energy weapons
The Navy is requesting $133.5 million to research and develop the new destroyer in fiscal 2026, with the goal of procuring the first in the early 2030s.
Marines to field rifle-mounted smart scope to help counter drones
The tool is expected to get to troops in the coming months.
Former Marine reservist charged in Texas ICE facility shooting
Benjamin Hanil Song is accused of participating in the July Fourth assault near the Prairieland Detention Center, where attackers opened fire.
Australia hosts largest-ever Talisman Sabre military exercise
The event began with live-fire exercises, including Australia’s first use of U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket systems.
In other news
Retired Army officer pleads guilty to sharing secrets on dating site
David Slater, who worked as a civilian Air Force employee, admitted to conspiring to transmit classified Russia-Ukraine war info on a foreign dating site.
What combat units and Little League teams have in common
Peel back the layers, and you’ll find more in common than you think — especially when it comes to the parents.
‘A new challenge’: Air Force vet becomes two-time living organ donor
Air Force veteran Lindsay Gutierrez is a two-time living organ donor after giving a kidney to a fellow veteran and part of her liver to another recipient.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
An ode to Dwight Schrute, The Office’s best squad leader
He'd rub people the wrong way in a real squad. But he'd also make sure you had water, ammo and a working red lens flashlight on the night of land nav.
Why Despicable Me’s Gru is just a warrant officer with better branding
If Gru wore a uniform, it wouldn’t have stars or stripes. It would have a coffee stain and rank that no one really understands.
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VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence: ‘Veterans issues are bipartisan’
Veterans Affairs second in command sees opportunity for compromise and cooperation between Democrats and administration leaders on VA issues.
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MORE STORIES
Lawmakers press VA for stronger rules against discrimination
Congressional Democrats and outside advocates say updated policies for the department are long overdue.
VA workers face more mandatory overtime amid record claims processing
The backlog of overdue disability claims is expected to keep rising over the next year.
How mutiny aboard the USS Somers helped birth the U.S. Naval Academy
The grim incident is detailed in the new book, “Sailing the Graveyard Sea."
By Diana Stancy
How Marines, sailors, mules and a King Stallion recovered a downed helo
The Navy helicopter had been attempting to recover a civilian hiker with a broken ankle in California on Sept. 30 when it experienced a hard landing.
Where the ‘Battleship’ board game originated
Historians trace its origins back to World War I.
By Sarah Sicard
Iranian drone ‘took unsafe action’ near carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower
Tuesday's "unsafe and unprofessional" action comes as Navy warships continue to intercept drones in the region.
Pentagon: USS Mason likely not target of Houthi missile
Pentagon officials said the Navy destroyer Mason and a commercial vessel "were not the intended targets.”
By Diana Stancy
VA again found homes for 38K struggling vets in 2023
Department outreach efforts have helped nearly 80,000 veterans since the start of 2022.
Navy fills nearly all E-9 billets with new Senior Enlisted Marketplace
The new Senior Enlisted Marketplace program requires senior chiefs to apply and accept orders for a specific job in order to advance to master chief.
By Diana Stancy
Keep soldiers out of our creek, farm owners tell Fort Liberty
There must be something in the water.
By J.D. Simkins