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:
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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.
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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.
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New in 2018: Army hopes to meet end strength goals with big recruitment push
The Army is preparing for a bump in force numbers next year.
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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.
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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.
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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.
RELATED
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
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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
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New in 2018: Big Tricare changes are on the way
Is your doctor part of the new Tricare network?
By Karen Jowers
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New in 2018: 1.6 million troops will choose between old and new retirement systems
Troops will have to decide to stay with the traditional military retirement system or move to the new Blended Retirement System.
By Karen Jowers
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New in 2018: ‘Forever GI Bill’ changes take effect
Benefits will expand for post-9/11 Purple Heart recipients.
By Natalie Gross
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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
RELATED
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.
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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
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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
RELATED
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
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New in 2018: Army pushes forward on multidomain battle, new way to fight
First unveiled in 2016, the Army continues to hone its concepts for multidomain battle.
By Todd South
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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
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New in 2018: Soldiers to test improved jungle boots during Pacific Pathways
The Army will take soldier feedback and see if the boot needs to be tweaked further.
By Charlsy Panzino
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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
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New in 2018: Services to focus on excess training, education requirements
Each service was directed to provide recommendations on how to streamline training requirements.
By Tara Copp, AP
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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, AP
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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.
RELATED
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.
RELATED
New in 2018: National Guard unit to lead Pacific Pathways for first time
The Army is working out how to balance the Guardsmen's civilian jobs with the training.
By Charlsy Panzino
RELATED
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
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In Other News
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.
No ‘significant’ mover capacity problems expected for troops, DOD says
The DOD says a new task force is "fully engaged" in overseeing the process of troops' household goods moves during this peak season.
Lawmaker proposes Iranian Campaign Medal for strikes on nuclear sites
Pilots and supporting service members involved in the complex airstrikes would be eligible for the new military medal.
House passes $435 billion spending plan for VA in fiscal 2026
Republicans approved plans for an 18% boost in total Veterans Affairs spending next year, but the measure is far from becoming law.
