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
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/GXWWGIVK6FE2RPWQ53PZSRECSQ.jpg)
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.
RELATED
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/QVQKENZIKZANZK3JZNND6AJ6CM.jpg)
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.
RELATED
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/G6Q45YWEF5GUHGVNSR4YD4MKZ4.jpg)
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.
RELATED
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/KU74CJHJHNFINB772AGU44SNEQ.jpg)
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.
RELATED
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/42P3QV6W6FDCRLCP452ET5AYXI.jpg)
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.
RELATED
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/6IO3SOPPU5DEHP3JPHGE465CLE.jpg)
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
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/DOL2CF2EZBG2NEJP4UYLT4VN3Q.jpg)
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
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/7GQZMRORY5ERTG3MJAO3SHSYTQ.jpg)
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
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/5C2MAGZ6HRBMVMG7HMXOB5BF5E.jpg)
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
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/OSR5TGS3RBBSNML7YKIW7UL6YA.jpg)
New in 2018: ‘Forever GI Bill’ changes take effect
Benefits will expand for post-9/11 Purple Heart recipients.
RELATED
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/ARE7VF5C25BJNCXAR5MIL4ICJA.jpg)
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
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/S4QFXZGI7JEVTGXREE5OW7VWOA.jpg)
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.
RELATED
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/JD2K6XJHPFGOFEP4U5OTHEUV3U.png)
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
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/ENW4MRANTJBQLDKVTDN5C3SRXA.jpg)
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
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/TKUD3QIAQJERJIHICEBIM7HDB4.jpg)
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
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/BQPQMAZCDFDCPC7W2R26NPDTVA.jpg)
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.
RELATED
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/BVA4X2ALCBBDFMG3CSTG7TMLQE.jpg)
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.
RELATED
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/JBVOCIDVBRHS7BLJYOBK6NNXRE.jpg)
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
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/RPTYGFXDJZCTBOY6G4FGQACOG4.jpg)
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
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/BOEGQDXH6VEKZPQOQVWUWYGU7A.jpg)
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.
RELATED
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/HOQSU2KP6ZCK7N3N3ATEPQHFPQ.png)
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
:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-mco.s3.amazonaws.com/public/6LE6NEZPIZFTLGGI4K7HSZATOI.jpg)
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.
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.
Share:
More In Your Army
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/C3ASFKB35VAV3K4765JKOMOHDM.jpg)
Air Cav is back in vogue — new units, class waitlists and more
Charlie still don't surf, though.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/OH7K2NAA2NFNZNXPLH6LHDMMCQ.jpg)
US Army terminates Strategic Long-Range Cannon science and technology effort
The Army has zeroed out funding for the Strategic Long-Range Cannon science and technology effort to focus on other long-range precision fires priorities.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/JNF2SFFAG5H4FOHBFH6EC45GPQ.jpg)
Milley tells West Point cadets technology will transform war
The top U.S. military officer delivered remarks to graduating cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/YVKUFBBJHJFNHCT3653E2QC7OA.jpg)
US, South Korea open to expanded military drills to deter North
U.S. President Joe Biden said cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea shows “our readiness to take on all threats together.”
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/EMK4C2IGHJBIHBOFCQ4H7YVOU4.jpg)
IPPS-A rollout still on track after initial delay, Army says
The Army says its new master human resources platform is on track for full implementation Sept. 30.
In Other News
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/S6SNGOTBTFE6NIWALLKITSLO4E.jpg)
Veterans cemeteries will be fully open to visitors this Memorial Day
Public attendance at ceremonies had been limited the last two years by the coronavirus pandemic.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/OM5BPYODRJD3ZISTQAWODVQORA.jpg)
Biden: US would intervene with military to defend Taiwan
Biden, at a news conference in Tokyo, said “yes” when asked if he was willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan if China invaded.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/46FGKAGO75HM5JX44HLOBQDASM.jpg)
This week in Congress: Memorial Day marks the start of summer — and a busy month of budget work
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of May 23, 2022.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/GHYARFQUNBFWRPTRB3HGHGLIPY.jpg)
Belarusians join war seeking to free Ukraine and themselves
Belarusians are among those who have answered a call for foreign fighters to join the International Legion for the Territorial Defense of Ukraine.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/QUHYIKQZ7FFBBLRBFNRPG5AFVY.jpg)
How the last VFW post in one city is shaking things up
New Orleans’ last remaining Veterans of Foreign Wars post is breaking the mold.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/C2EJBW5L7JEPHIEY6SJISYGVWU.jpg)
Lawmakers urge DoD to take action to curb rising commissary prices
Stop requiring commissaries to make a profit, lawmakers say.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/B7PDHVPZAJHZBFBMHBCGNA4VOM.jpg)
Blue Star Museums again offering free admission to troops, families all summer
Participating museums are offering free admission to military families from May 21 through Sept. 5.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/IEOOCUQBZRD6ZEWODWNGAJ35JI.jpg)
Wildfire monitoring, other state missions in jeopardy without a Space Guard, these officials say
Space Force officials want to move away from the traditional Guard and Reserve. These colonels say that's a bad idea.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/22FRIYIIHVDYVM7IPJSXNEFBPU.jpg)
Military commands spent pandemic money on space analytics, IT upgrades
The U.S. military commands responsible for North America misused at least $19 million in COVID-19 relief money on space-related data analytics connected to the Pentagon’s JADC2 endeavor, as well as office information technology upgrades, investigators said.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/mco/IWUIL5JWYJANTIBHXHI3TZSFZU.jpg)