Top stories
Sergeant’s quick action results in receiving Soldier’s Medal
Sgt. Robert Cruz saved a man from a burning car, resulting in Soldier’s Medal — the highest U.S. Army award for acts of heroism in a non-combat situation.
Army major faced retaliation for advocacy on water contamination
The officer is now part of a lawsuit representing active duty servicemembers subject to the water contamination.
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Pentagon & Congress
Appeals court throws out plea deal for alleged 9/11 mastermind
Friday's decision undoes an attempt to wrap up more than two decades of military prosecution beset by legal and logistical troubles.
Proposed Senate defense bill would add $500M in long-term Ukraine aid
The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative is one of two main ways the Pentagon has provided military support to Ukraine over the last three years.
US is selling weapons to NATO allies to give to Ukraine, Trump says
After a pause in some weapons shipment, U.S. officials said this week that 155 mm munitions and precision-guided rockets were on their way.
Hegseth calls for extensive reforms to Pentagon drone-buying practices
The memo directs the military services to create active duty formations by September, built for the sole purpose of scaling the use of drones across DOD.
In other news
Opinion
The end of the trail for the Army’s ceremonial horse units
Opinion: For many soldiers, the Army's decision to transition away from most of its ceremonial cavalry units feels like the end of an era.
‘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.
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.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
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.
Why Patrick Star is the blue falcon of Bikini Bottom
Patrick Star is every lovable mess-up squadmate who cost you a weekend because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut during formation.
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VIDEOS
What’s in the Pentagon budget for 2026?
In a year without a large-scale DOD budget rollout, our reporters decipher what programs will receive Pentagon funding in fiscal 2026.
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MORE STORIES
Army will end most of its ceremonial horse programs
The Army, however, will keep operating the Old Guard ceremonial caisson units at Joint Base San Antonio and Arlington National Cemetery for burial honors.
By Tara Copp, AP
Trump caught off guard by DOD pause on Ukraine arms deliveries: Report
Trump’s decision to send more defensive weapons to Ukraine came after he privately expressed frustration over DOD's pause, The Associated Press reported.
By Tara Copp, AP
Army updates facial hair policy, requires exemptions and shaving plan
Soldiers who cannot comply within a reasonable timeframe may be administratively separated.
By Todd South
Ken Burns documentary on American Revolution to premiere this fall
As the U.S. prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Ken Burns is releasing a deep look into the fight for American independence.
Trump, Netanyahu take victory lap over strikes on Iran nuclear sites
President Trump ordered U.S. forces to strike three key Iranian nuclear sites in June, a decision the Israeli leader says warrants a Nobel Peace Prize.
By Tia Goldenberg
Army expands combat patch approval for soldiers in Africa, Middle East
The memo includes 15 countries where soldiers served between October 2023 and June 2025.
By Todd South
200 Marines deploy to Florida as Pentagon approves more support to ICE
The Marines will be assigned tasks related to transportation, logistics and administrative functions. They're not authorized to make arrests.
By Zita Ballinger Fletcher
VA expects 30K voluntary job cuts by October, erasing need for layoffs
More than 17,000 Veterans Affairs jobs have been eliminated or vacated since the start of the year.
Explore the depths of Ironbottom Sound with Bob Ballard’s team, live
Audiences will be able to embark on a real-time exploration of the waters surrounding Guadalcanal and the naval battles that changed the course of history.
Army tests robotic coyotes to defend fighter jets
Unmanned ground vehicles mounted with life-size plastic coyotes are one idea proposed as part of a new effort to keep wildlife away from military aircraft.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Militarized zones now make up 1/3 of southern border, stirring debates
Long stretches of the border are under the supervision of nearby military bases, empowering U.S. troops to detain people entering the country illegally.
House passes Trump megabill with $150 billion in military funding
The bill includes $150 billion for the Pentagon, earmarked for shipbuilding, the Golden Dome and restocking precision weapons, among other priorities.
US strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program up to 2 years, DOD says
“We’re thinking probably closer to two years — like degraded their program by two years,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Wednesday.
Illinois veteran bestowed military honors nearly a decade after death
An extraordinary cold case investigation revealed a formerly unidentified ward of the state to be a Women's Army Corps veteran.
Pentagon creates new military border zone in Arizona
The fourth national defense area created along the US-Mexico border will be an extension of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in the Sonora Desert.
By Zita Ballinger Fletcher
Honolulu water agency sues US Navy over Red Hill fuel spill damage
The suit estimates it is costing $1.2 billion for the Board of Water Supply to clean up and protect Oʻahu’s drinking water wells.
By Marcel Honoré, Honolulu Civil Beat