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Military pay raises, changes to housing allowance included in House-passed $1.15 trillion defense budget
After controversial amendment votes, a House committee advanced a bill early Friday morning that would authorize the largest defense budget in history.
The US Army wants thousands of air defense missiles to replace the Stinger
A new Army Request for Information seeks to identify companies that can deliver 11,000 next-gen, short range interceptors beginning in Fiscal Year 2028.
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Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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Pentagon & Congress
Lawmakers move to require chaperones for ‘sensitive’ appointments in military health system
Under the provision, a trained third party would have to be present for exams conducted by obstetrician-gynecologists at military treatment facilities.
Pentagon must divulge cost of Iran war under House proposal
A measure advanced Friday would require the DoD to report on the total financial cost of operations in Iran, including damaged or destroyed U.S. property.
US forces board sanctioned tanker in Indian Ocean, Pentagon says
U.S. forces have intercepted multiple commercial and oil tankers in the Indian Ocean in recent months.
Pentagon balks at court order allowing HIV-positive persons to serve
The Pentagon is fighting a court ruling that lifted a ban on potential recruits with controlled HIV from joining the military.
In other news
Hidden chemical weapons sites emerge in Syria amid fragile security transition
Over a decade after Syria agreed to dismantle its arsenal, international inspectors have uncovered scores of previously hidden chemical weapons materials.
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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Game-changing new tech emerges for troops and commands | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 6.2.26
A box that makes drinkable water out of the air and hydrofoil drone tech have emerged at defense shows. Plus, an interview with a top executive at Lockheed.
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MORE STORIES
Nonprofit helps expand child care for military families in five states
Summer camps and more care for school-aged children will help ease shortages in five locations.
By Karen Jowers
Advocates worry new White House order on homelessness could hurt vets
A White House plan would make it easier for local officials to force homeless veterans off the streets and into medical or criminal institutions.
Work on annual defense authorization bill will wait until September
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of July 28, 2025.
CENTCOM strike kills ISIS leader in Syria amid US troop drawdown
American officials said that Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani posed a threat to U.S. and allied forces.
DOD trying to head off problems with troops’ household goods moves
PCS task force working to solve troops' real-time household goods moving problems.
By Karen Jowers
Trump pick to lead VA health care reopens fight over ‘choice’ for vets
John Bartrum, nominee to be VA Under Secretary for Health, said he wants more freedom for veterans to use medical care options outside the department.
Republican lawmakers take aim at VA bonuses amid staffing cuts
GOP lawmakers are pushing reforms for a host of department employee financial incentives, but Democrats worry the moves will hurt recruiting efforts.
Over 20 million DOD users to get new online login verification process
The new myAuth system replaces the legacy DS Logon system, which authenticates users onto more than 200 Defense Department and Veterans Affairs websites.
By Karen Jowers