Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of April 15, 2024. A new military quality of life improvement plan would include targeted pay increases for young troops and bigger housing stipends for families. What might have looked like an aging system not long ago now appears to be a workhorse that could be used for years to come. "What grocery store runs out of potatoes?" asked one military wife in South Korea. Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of April 8, 2024. The Army will begin a directed-energy test campaign to find the sweet spot for laser weapons when it comes to lethality, reliability and cost. The Army is rapidly pursuing launched effects to deliver surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, network and lethal capabilities to a modern force. If Congress does not approve a federal appropriations plan by midnight, some military activities could be postponed or canceled over the weekend. Under the latest congressional budget plan, troops E-6 and below could start getting monthly bonuses from the Defense Department to offset low base pay. More troops and their families will be able to get groceries delivered directly to their doorsteps starting this summer. Load More