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Pope Leo XIV is the son of a D-Day veteran
The first American to ever be elected pope is the son of D-Day veteran.
Lawmakers want details on plans to privatize military stores
Lawmakers are hoping to put the brakes on DOD plans to privatize retail programs.
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Coast Guard aircrew awarded medals for Texas flood rescues
A Coast Guard rescue crew received distinguished awards for helping save the lives of those trapped in Kerrville, Texas, after historic flooding on July 4.
Final Independence-class combat ship delivered to Navy
As a littoral combat ship, the future USS Pierre could inherit a legacy of problems.
Hegseth revokes promotion for Navy admiral who approved drag shows
Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly was commanding officer of the USS Ronald Reagan in 2018 when several drag show performances took place.
Lawmakers back White House FY26 plans for more troops, 3.8% pay hike
The military's active-duty end strength would grow by about 26,000 troops next year under plans being considered in the House and Senate.
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Pentagon & Congress
House panel advances DOD policy bill with sweeping acquisition reforms
Both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees have now approved their initial drafts of the annual defense authorization bill.
Pentagon ends deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles
The 2,000 National Guardsmen account for nearly half of the soldiers sent to the city to deal with protests over Trump's immigration crackdown.
Trump downplays possibility of sending Ukraine long-range weapons
Trump on Tuesday offered a more cautious tone on what to expect after he threatened Russia a day earlier with steep tariffs.
Coast Guard aircrew awarded medals for Texas flood rescues
A Coast Guard rescue crew received distinguished awards for helping save the lives of those trapped in Kerrville, Texas, after historic flooding on July 4.
In other news
Mike Waltz pledges to make UN ‘great again’ in confirmation hearing
Tuesday was the first time Waltz faced lawmakers since mistakenly adding a journalist to a private Signal chat used to discuss sensitive military plans.
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Get a look at Elbit’s enhanced binocular night vision goggles
Looking to see thermal and intensified imagery at the same time? Want real-time data in your eye instead of checking a map? Check out Elbit America’s new NVGs.
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Sea-Air-Space 2025 Coverage
Defense News is reporting on the top headlines and news coming out of Navy League’s annual show.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
‘A new challenge’: Air Force vet becomes two-time living organ donor
Air Force veteran Lindsay Gutierrez is a two-time living organ donor after giving a kidney to a fellow veteran and part of her liver to another recipient.
An ode to Dwight Schrute, The Office’s best squad leader
He'd rub people the wrong way in a real squad. But he'd also make sure you had water, ammo and a working red lens flashlight on the night of land nav.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
Why Despicable Me’s Gru is just a warrant officer with better branding
If Gru wore a uniform, it wouldn’t have stars or stripes. It would have a coffee stain and rank that no one really understands.
Why Patrick Star is the blue falcon of Bikini Bottom
Patrick Star is every lovable mess-up squadmate who cost you a weekend because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut during formation.
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MORE STORIES
Pentagon taps four commercial tech firms to expand military use of AI
The four firms — Google, Anthropic, OpenAI and Elon Musk's xAI — will help the DOD develop AI workflows for key national security missions.
Final Independence-class combat ship delivered to Navy
As a littoral combat ship, the future USS Pierre could inherit a legacy of problems.
By Zita Ballinger Fletcher
Ukrainians welcome US aid, concerned over Trump’s ultimatum to Putin
Trump delayed “very severe” sanctions on Russia for 50 days, sparking criticism from Ukrainians and European leaders who see the delay as too long.
By Vasilisa Stepanenko
Australia hosts largest-ever Talisman Sabre military exercise
The event began with live-fire exercises, including Australia’s first use of U.S.-supplied HIMARS rocket systems.
Retired Army officer pleads guilty to sharing secrets on dating site
David Slater, who worked as a civilian Air Force employee, admitted to conspiring to transmit classified Russia-Ukraine war info on a foreign dating site.
Hegseth revokes promotion for Navy admiral who approved drag shows
Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly was commanding officer of the USS Ronald Reagan in 2018 when several drag show performances took place.
By Riley Ceder
Trump threatens Russia with tariffs and boosts US weapons for Ukraine
Trump said European allies would buy “billions and billions” of dollars of U.S. military equipment to be transferred to Ukraine.
By Illia Novikov, AP