More soldiers. More deployments. More money. Drill sergeants in AIT and the biggest pay raise in seven years.

New body armor, guns and uniforms ― and maybe even the return of the World War II-era “pinks and greens” uniform.

Also on tap: big changes to Tricare, GI Bill benefits and your retirement options, and maybe ― finally ― a new PT test.

Soldiers can expect 2018 to bring many key, critical changes that will impact their lives at home and in uniform.

Here’s a preview of what’s in store for 2018:

New in 2018: Army secretary lays out his priorities
New in 2018: Army secretary lays out his priorities

Just in time for the new year, the Army has cemented its top civilian leadership with the swearing-in of Army Secretary Mark Esper.

By: Meghann Myers
New in 2018: Army decision coming on return of ‘pinks and greens’ uniform
New in 2018: Army decision coming on return of ‘pinks and greens’ uniform

A year in the making, the Army is preparing to make a final decision on bringing back the service’s much beloved World War-II dress uniform.

By: Meghann Myers

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New in 2018: Big changes in the works for NCO promotions
New in 2018: Big changes in the works for NCO promotions

The Army wants to more qualified soldiers to make their way up the ranks, so officials are working on tweaks to the noncommissioned officer promotion system.

By: Meghann Myers
New in 2018: Could these two new fitness tests spell the end of the APFT?
New in 2018: Could these two new fitness tests spell the end of the APFT?

In 2017, both Army Training and Doctrine Command and Army Forces Command unveiled new fitness tests that could change the way the Army does PT.

By: Meghann Myers
New in 2018: Drill sergeants return to AIT, plus a makeover for basic training
New in 2018: Drill sergeants return to AIT, plus a makeover for basic training

The Center for Initial Military Training is several months into a complete review of how the Army makes new soldiers, and 2018 could see some big changes.

By: Meghann Myers
New in 2018: Army rolling out new handgun across the force
New in 2018: Army rolling out new handgun across the force

The handgun that will replace the M9 sidearm that soldiers have carried for more than 30 years will be rolling out to units in 2018.

By: Todd South
New in 2018: Army to issue new body armor to soldiers
New in 2018: Army to issue new body armor to soldiers

Soldiers will receive new body armor for the first time in a decade.

By: Todd South
New in 2018: Big Tricare changes are on the way
New in 2018: Big Tricare changes are on the way

Is your doctor part of the new Tricare network?

By: Karen Jowers
New in 2018: ‘Forever GI Bill’ changes take effect
New in 2018: ‘Forever GI Bill’ changes take effect

Benefits will expand for post-9/11 Purple Heart recipients.

By: Natalie Gross
New in 2018: US troops return to the front lines in Afghanistan
New in 2018: US troops return to the front lines in Afghanistan

In what appears to be a bit of deja vu for America’s longest war, U.S. troops will once again be patrolling alongside their Afghan counterparts in far larger numbers and at a more tactical level than the previous years.

By: Shawn Snow
New in 2018: 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade heads to Afghanistan
New in 2018: 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade heads to Afghanistan

Less than a year since the Army unveiled the new concept of Security Force Assistance Brigades to train foreign conventional infantry, artillery and other troops, the first SFAB is preparing for an early 2018 deployment.

By: Meghann Myers
New in 2018: The fight against ISIS evolves
New in 2018: The fight against ISIS evolves

The Islamic State group’s physical caliphate in Iraq and Syria has been destroyed, but the group is not defeated.

By: Shawn Snow
New in 2018: Conflict hot spots to watch
New in 2018: Conflict hot spots to watch

As the Islamic State withers in Iraq and Syria, other, more obscure hot spots could emerge in 2018 that will require more U.S. assistance or, possibly, even the presence of more U.S. troops.

By: Shawn Snow
New in 2018: Army looks to add a light tank to its formations
New in 2018: Army looks to add a light tank to its formations

As future war planning shifts to confront near-peer threats, Army leaders are looking at their ground combat formations and seeing something missing — a light tank.

By: Todd South
New in 2018: Soldiers to test Army’s new, improved hot weather uniforms
New in 2018: Soldiers to test Army’s new, improved hot weather uniforms

Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division will be the first to get the improved hot weather uniforms.

By: Charlsy Panzino
New in 2018: Army to field new fires targeting system
New in 2018: Army to field new fires targeting system

The Joint Effects Targeting System or JETS is scheduled for fielding to forward observers in late 2018. The system increases accuracy and speed in day, night and inclement weather conditions.

By: Todd South
New in 2018: For foreign recruits, the new year brings few answers
New in 2018: For foreign recruits, the new year brings few answers

The Pentagon will keep vetting grandfathered recruits, but MAVNI still is frozen to new applicants.

By: Tara Copp
New in 2018: Trump’s promised military buildup set to begin in earnest
New in 2018: Trump’s promised military buildup set to begin in earnest

Defense officials have said plans for more ships, aircraft and ground vehicles will ramp up significantly in the fiscal 2019 budget plans.

By: Leo Shane III
New in 2018: Lawmakers gear up for military pay and benefits fights
New in 2018: Lawmakers gear up for military pay and benefits fights

The annual pay raise and ongoing military housing reform proposals will once again be a defense budget focus in 2018.

By: Leo Shane III
New in 2018: Army cyber expands training, gains EW soldiers
New in 2018: Army cyber expands training, gains EW soldiers

The Army’s growing cyber career field will gain the service’s electronic warfare soldiers in 2018.

By: Kathleen Curthoys