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:

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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.

By Meghann Myers

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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.

By Meghann Myers

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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.

By Meghann Myers

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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.

By Meghann Myers

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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.

By Meghann Myers

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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.

By Meghann Myers

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

By Leo Shane III

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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

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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

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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

Army will no longer rotate tank units to Korea — but the tanks are staying

The move comes after a sudden jump in overseas duty for the service's armored units after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Competition to replace Bradley vehicles enters design, prototype phase

The U.S. Army opens up detailed design and prototyping phases of the Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle competition releasing a request for proposals to industry.

Congress wants more troops in Europe as war in Ukraine drags on

Congress wants to see a boost in U.S. military presence through permanent basing and rotational deployment as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues.

Lost rifle is latest in feud between Texas Guard and butterfly preserve

It's not every day that a butterfly enthusiast gets an M4A1. But Monday was that day.

Multiple errors led to fuel leak in Pearl Harbor water, Navy says

Some 6,000 people, including Navy, Army and Air Force families, suffered nausea, headaches, rashes and other symptoms.

In Other News

High cost of Russian gains in Ukraine may limit new advance

Putin has declared victory in the eastern Ukraine region of Luhansk, but the high cost of Russian gains may limit a new advance.

WW2 Medal of Honor recipient to lie in honor at US Capitol

The last remaining Medal of Honor recipient from World War II will lie in honor at the U.S. Capitol.

North Korea slams US-South Korea-Japan military cooperation

Sunday’s statement comes as North Korea’s neighbors say the country is ready for its first nuclear test in five years

Distrust remains after Navy report on tainted Hawaii water

About 6,000 Navy, Army and Air Force families were affected by the toxic spill. Their trust in the military remains low.

Chris Pratt picks military veterans for ‘The Terminal List’

The team hired real special ops members to appear in a major combat scene and also employed former troops behind-the-scenes in a variety of roles.

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