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US Army gives chaplains 90 days to remove rank insignia
In guidance issued this week, the U.S. Army gave its chaplains 90 days to strip the rank from some uniforms.
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.
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Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
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Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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Your Army
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.
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.
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.
Hungry bears are heading to Fort Carson this summer
Low snowpack, seasonal hyperphagia — where an animal’s insatiable urge to eat overrides a natural fear of humans — and loose garbage have contributed.
In other news
House vote on major veterans bill delayed amid controversy over voting legislation
A bill that encompasses two popular pieces of legislation — the Major Richard Star Act and the Love Lives On Act — has been stalled.
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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Trump meets munitions makers amid push to replenish weapons stockpiles
Pentagon negotiators are pressing contractors to move much faster to boost output.
By Mike Stone, Reuters
White House asks Congress for $87.6 billion, mostly for Iran war
The request includes $67.15 billion for the military, including $21 billion for munitions and to strengthen the U.S. industrial base.
By Patricia Zengerle, Reuters
In shift, Pentagon grants flu vaccine exceptions to military services, some federal agencies
The Pentagon has updated their guidance on influenza vaccinations, giving select forces and agencies exceptions to the optional policy.
Can the US military preserve decades of wartime experience?
Thousands of post-9/11 veterans are reaching retirement. Whether the lessons they learned during two decades of combat will be retained remains to be seen.
By Natalie Oliverio
US Army sergeant sentenced to six life terms for shooting spree at Georgia base
A U.S. Army sergeant was sentenced to six life sentences for shooting and wounding his fiance and four other soldiers at a Georgia base last August.
By Eve Sampson
Airstrike killed senior ISIS commander in Syria, CENTCOM says
A senior Islamic State leader was killed by an airstrike last week, Central Command announced on Wednesday.
By Eve Sampson
Gen. Christopher Donahue to unexpectedly relinquish command of Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue will unexpectedly relinquish command next week after just 18 months in the role, the Pentagon confirmed Wednesday.
By Eve Sampson
Military families paying $1,000 out of pocket for moves, survey shows
A new survey on military family well-being reveals challenges with the PCS experience, as well as spouse unemployment, food insecurity and housing costs.
By Karen Jowers
US Senate joins House in voting to halt Iran war
It marks the first time both chambers approved directing a president to remove armed forces from hostilities since the War Powers Act was adopted in 1973.
By Patricia Zengerle, Reuters
VA inventory report reveals 367 AI systems operating in healthcare, benefits and services
A recently released report catalogs AI uses across the VA, from clinical tools used during patient care to systems that help process benefits.
By Natalie Oliverio
Nearly 5 million veterans have used magic mushrooms, LSD or MDMA, study finds
The RAND study revealed confusion among veterans about the VA's policies regarding psychedelics.
US Army expands unit stability program for junior officers
The U.S. Army is expanding a pilot program that gives some high-performing officers the option to spend more years with a unit.
By Eve Sampson
US Army tests fire control software that helps moving vehicles kill drones
The Army has successfully tested software designed to help vehicle-mounted weapons shoot down drones while both the target and the vehicle are moving.
By Eve Sampson
Gunfight at the Veracruz Custom House led to six Medal of Honor recipients
Six U.S. sailors and a Mexican naval cadet matched their heroism in an alley.
By Jon Guttman
Just one in four Americans believes the Iran war was worth its costs
Only 23% of Americans think the U.S. is now in a stronger position with Iran than before, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found.
By Jason Lange, Reuters
VA needs to do more to care for menopausal patients, watchdog says
Women make up the fastest growing segment of the veteran population.
By Patricia Kime