Top stories
Troops with medical shaving waivers to face separation, Hegseth says
Under the new guidelines, troops granted a medical waiver must receive treatment and see the medical condition resolved within a year or face separation.
Trump deploys National Guard to Memphis in ‘replica’ of DC crackdown
Trump on Monday signed an order sending the National Guard into Memphis, calling it a “replica of our extraordinarily successful efforts” in Washington.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Coverage: LANDEURO 2025
Defense News is covering the top headlines and stories coming out of the LANDEURO event.
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
Health Care
Sept. 30 deadline nears for Tricare West specialty care referrals
Certain referrals for specialty care for Tricare Prime beneficiaries will expire.
Veteran who burned US flag in DC pleads not guilty to federal charges
Army veteran Jan Carey set fire to an American flag near the White House to protest President Donald Trump’s recent executive order on flag burning.
Why Truman changed the ‘War Department’ to the ‘Department of Defense’
Just a few months after the conclusion of World War II, President Truman announced his goal to implement a new governing structure for the military.
Ocean isn’t free-fire zone for US military drug interdiction: Analysis
A Center for International and Strategic Studies analysis warns that the Trump administration's use of strikes on alleged drug vessels poses serious risks.
In other news
Senate Dems raise concerns over Pentagon plan for immigration judges
Some Democratic senators are concerned that allowing military lawyers to work as temporary immigration judges will violate the Posse Comitatus Act.
‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’ cements dominance of military thrillers
The success of "Dark Wolf" reflects broader audience demand for military and espionage dramas.
Country music no longer owns the troops, and that’s a good thing
Troops today are just as likely to share playlists filled with hip-hop, EDM or K-pop as they are with country music legends.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
The National Guard, DC landscaping and the great pursuit of lethality
Few training methods guarantee a better fighting force than boredom-induced annoyance.
Back-to-school, military edition: why August is also admin hell
For civilians, August is a return to structure. For service members and veterans facing bureaucratic deadlines, it often feels like drowning in it.
Don't miss
VIDEOS
Honoring the 2025 Service Members of the Year | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 9.13.25
Selfless acts of bravery, grit and sacrifice are highlighted in a selection of profiles of the 2025 Service Members of the Year from Military Times.
Featured Videos
Trending Now
MORE STORIES
Senator pushes for new rules letting academy athletes play pro sports
A proposed policy allowing academy athletes to defer their military service to play pro sports could be included in the annual defense authorization bill.
‘Obviously classified’: Experts say Hegseth chat leaks invited danger
Former U.S. defense officials said the unsecured messaging chain could have jeopardized the operation and put American lives at risk.
Some VA employees’ overtime pay will be delayed by software problems
Software handling timecards for VA employees has been malfunctioning for nearly a week, prompting concerns about paycheck delays.
Military moves are improving some under new contract, general claims
After months' of problems, officials are seeing fewer claims tied to delays in shipments.
By Karen Jowers
Lawmaker aims to protect troops from squatters
Homeowners, including some service members, have faced extensive, expensive legal processes to get trespassers removed.
By Karen Jowers
White House, DOD deny that Hegseth leaked military secrets in chat app
Administration officials acknowledged that top leaders used a non-government group chat to coordinate ahead of military airstrikes in Yemen.
Senate confirms Phelan as next Navy Secretary
The Navy's new top civilian leader has said the service is in desperate need of reform and innovation.
Top Trump officials accidentally shared war plans with media
Hegseth reportedly assured chat participants that “we are currently clean on OPSEC” despite the accidental inclusion of a journalist.
With FY2025 spending settled, lawmakers shift focus to FY2026 budget
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 24, 2025.
Child care, teaching positions safe from DOD civilian hiring freeze
Some key positions in military quality-of-life programs are exempt from the department's hiring freeze.
By Karen Jowers