New in 2018: What you need to know

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:

RELATED

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

RELATED

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

RELATED

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.

By Meghann Myers

RELATED

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

RELATED

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

RELATED

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

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

RELATED

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

RELATED

New in 2018: Big Tricare changes are on the way

Is your doctor part of the new Tricare network?

By Karen Jowers

RELATED

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

RELATED

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

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

By Natalie Gross

RELATED

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.

By Meghann Myers

RELATED

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

RELATED

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

RELATED

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

RELATED

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

RELATED

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

RELATED

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

RELATED

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

RELATED

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

RELATED

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

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.

By Leo Shane III

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

More In Your Army

New music video features Marine hooking up with his CO’s daughter

Country band Midland released the video on Jan. 22.

Colonel’s ‘threatening’ comments cast doubt on fair trial, claim Raiders, corpsman charged with manslaughter

The manslaughter trials for three defendants have been delayed following alleged "threatening" comments made by a Marine colonel.

National Guard sees troops reupping despite COVID, hard year

State Guard units have faced exhausting demands in the past two years dealing with COVID-19, natural disasters and other military deployments.

Oshkosh unveils hybrid electric Joint Light Tactical Vehicle

Oshkosh has developed a hybrid electric Joint Light Tactical Vehicle as militaries worldwide warm up to the concept.

History and myths of the dreaded ‘Dear John’ letter

The book "Dear John: Love and Loyalty in Wartime America" explores the history and future of the military breakup.

In Other News

Sexual harassment in the military now a crime under Biden order

The commander in chief signed an executive order Wednesday making the changes to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

US, NATO deliver counteroffers to Russia on defusing Ukraine war prospects

U.S. and NATO officials have separately delivered new sets of proposals to the Russian government for sorting out security concerns in Europe, while rejecting Russia’s demand that the alliance forever close its door to Ukraine.

Millions of military kids serve as caregivers. They need help too.

The specific impacts of caregiver duties will vary by child, but there is a potential for adverse effects on their mental and physical wellbeing.

Russia threatens retaliation if Ukraine demands not met

Russia says it has no plans to invade Ukraine, but the U.S. and allies are planning for the worst.

As US troop readiness increases, war on Ukraine’s front lines drags on

Up to 8,500 U.S. troops are on heightened readiness in case Russia further attacks Ukraine.

Load More