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USS Nimitz arrives in Caribbean as US-Cuba tension mounts
The U.S. Department of Justice charged former Cuban president Raúl Castro on Wednesday for his part in a 1996 plane shoot-down that killed three Americans.
The US Navy is full speed ahead on building a laser fleet
Operation Epic Fury may have strengthened the case for laser weapons, but the U.S. Navy’s dream of putting one on every ship may take longer than expected.
Latest
AI-powered tool helps Navy talk thousands of sailors out of leaving
The AI-powered program alerts commanders about sailors whose data indicates they are contemplating leaving the Navy.
Why is it taking so long to identify America’s unknown fallen heroes?
Forensic DNA experts say it should take the Pentagon years—not decades—to ID the remains of thousands of nameless service members in military cemeteries.
Services ask defense secretary for exceptions to lax flu vaccine policy
The services sent a "robust set of exception" requests to a new Pentagon policy allowing personnel to decide whether to get the flu shot.
US Marines board and redirect Iranian-flagged tanker amid ongoing blockade
U.S. military forces have redirected 91 commercial ships and disabled four vessels during the Navy blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
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Veterans
Veteran who lost both of his legs in combat reenlists in the Marine Corps
Staff Sgt. Johnny “Joey” Jones, who medically retired in 2012 after losing both of his legs in combat, said he felt he had more to give to the service.
‘Thank the Gods of War’: D-Day success hinges on weather forecast in ‘Pressure’
The aptly titled “Pressure” depicts an anguished Eisenhower on the eve of the invasion, with the weight of the free world hinging on a weather report.
SOCOM begins fielding new battlefield biometrics system
Reveal Technology’s Identifi platform allows operators to collect fingerprints, facial scans, iris data and voice recognition in the field.
In shift, Trump announces deployment of 5,000 US troops to Poland
A week after cancelling a U.S. Army deployment to Poland, Trump announces an additional 5,000 troops will be sent to the country.
In other news
House passes budget bill for Veterans Affairs, military construction
The bill includes $450 billion for the VA, a 3% increase from the current fiscal year but less than the Trump administration requested.
VIDEOS
Stars of the new D-Day movie ‘Pressure’ talk about film
Actor Andrew Scott gives insight on playing a pivotal meteorologist in the hours leading up to D-Day, as ‘Pressure’ debuts in theaters.
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Sailor reportedly finds dead rat in finished energy drink
The sailor said medical personnel informed him, “with the chemicals that are in Monster, that it should be OK.”
That time the Air Force proposed making a ‘gay bomb’
The Air Force once explored the idea of a chemical weapon that would make enemy soldiers sexually irresistible to one another — striking a blow to morale.
Master Chief actor condemns use of character in White House’s Iran war hype video
“I demand that the producers of this disgusting and juvenile war porn remove my voice immediately,” Steve Downes wrote in a post on X.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
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MORE STORIES
CENTCOM strike kills ISIS leader in Syria amid US troop drawdown
American officials said that Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani posed a threat to U.S. and allied forces.
DOD trying to head off problems with troops’ household goods moves
PCS task force working to solve troops' real-time household goods moving problems.
By Karen Jowers
Trump pick to lead VA health care reopens fight over ‘choice’ for vets
John Bartrum, nominee to be VA Under Secretary for Health, said he wants more freedom for veterans to use medical care options outside the department.
Republican lawmakers take aim at VA bonuses amid staffing cuts
GOP lawmakers are pushing reforms for a host of department employee financial incentives, but Democrats worry the moves will hurt recruiting efforts.
Over 20 million DOD users to get new online login verification process
The new myAuth system replaces the legacy DS Logon system, which authenticates users onto more than 200 Defense Department and Veterans Affairs websites.
By Karen Jowers
As lawmakers head to summer recess, threat of an autumn shutdown looms
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of July 22. 2025.
House advances $832 billion military budget plan for next fiscal year
Only a few Democrats broke ranks to support the House's spending plan for Defense Department operations in fiscal 2026.
VA’s #2 leader downplays political strife between Congress, department
Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence said his relationship with congressional Democrats is strong, despite public fighting.
Senators criticize CFPB for dropping action on troops’ overdraft fees
CFPB ordered Navy Federal in November 2024 to pay $80 million to service members unfairly charged overdraft fees. CFPB terminated that mandate this month.
By Karen Jowers