Top stories
Trump administration releases first tranche of ‘never-before-seen’ UFO files
“With these new Documents and Videos, the people can decide for themselves, ‘WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?’” Trump wrote, adding, “Have Fun and Enjoy!"
Presidential Fitness Test to be required at Defense Department schools
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Presidential Fitness Test would soon be mandatory in the DoD's 161 K-12 schools.
Featured
Latest
SPECIAL FEATURES
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.
EDITOR'S PICKS
MilTech
Pentagon turns to AI targeting to help troops shoot drones
The technology can detect threats and distinguish them from non-threats, such as birds, faster than a human operator can.
Opinion
Why Congress must end the remarriage penalty for military survivors
A policy that causes surviving spouses to lose their benefits if they remarry suggests their sacrifice ends the moment they seek a new chapter in life.
Commissaries reverse decision to charge for single-use bags
The decision came only one month after the bag fees went into effect.
Life or death centered around a canteen for this AEF soldier
While under a hail of machine gun fire, William Sawelson crawled through the mud to deliver water to a wounded soldier.
In other news
Danger pay for US troops could double, expand to more regions
The U.S. defense budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 has raised the prospect of an increase in the monthly stipend paid out to troops in dangerous regions.
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?
Don't miss
VIDEOS
Navy looks to expand tech, autonomy for future fleet | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 5.5.26
The commander of the Naval Research Laboratory outlines goals for the fleet at Sea-Air-Space 2026. Plus, global defense spending updates for the year.
Featured Videos
Trending Now
MORE STORIES
Defense Health Agency director retires abruptly
Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland has retired as director of the Defense Health Agency, officials announced Friday.
By Karen Jowers
DOD civilians ordered to respond to ‘what did you do last week?’ email
In a memo, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that all employees will receive a new request for a five-point summation of their weekly accomplishments.
Trump berates Ukrainian president, says he’s ‘not ready for peace’
The U.S. president appeared to pull all support for Ukraine in its fight with Russia after an argumentative meeting in the Oval Office on Friday.
Trump names special ops vet Hung Cao as Navy Under Secretary
The former Virginia Senate candidate will serve the second-ranking civilian leader for the service.
Troops, veterans to see drop in life insurance costs
Troops and veterans will pay less for life insurance starting July 1.
By Karen Jowers
Navy secretary nominee blasts ‘systemic failures’ plaguing the fleet
John Phelan acknowledged his lack of military experience but insisted his business background makes him the right pick to lead the Navy and Marine Corps.
Disabled vets continue to struggle finding post-military employment
The latest survey by Wounded Warrior Project shows a higher unemployment rate for disabled veterans than their civilian peers.
Military spouses still face confusion in federal return-to-office rule
Democratic lawmakers are demanding immediate action to make clear that federally employed military spouses are exempt from the rule.
By Karen Jowers