Top stories
US military orders 2-day pause on Okinawa following Marine’s arrest for alleged murder
All U.S. military operations on the island will cease for 48 hours for a standards training period, followed by a 30-day reflection period.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returns to port after aircraft mishap
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, after an E/A-18G Growler mishap injured eight service members aboard the ship.
Latest
Anduril, US Navy invest $6.6 billion to boost submarine parts production
Anduril will invest $3.7 billion to develop a new shipyard in Maryland to build critical components for the Navy’s Virginia-class submarines.
Fort Hood mass shooter Nidal Malik Hasan to die by US Army firing squad
Hasan, a former Army officer who killed 13 people and injured 32 others during a mass shooting at Fort Hood in 2009, will be executed by firing squad.
Veteran suicides declined in 2024 for second straight year
According to a new VA report, 17.7 veterans die by suicide each day.
Aboard the USS George Washington, young sailors adjust to war with Iran
Sailors must maintain a state of alert and readiness, heightened in the case of the George Washington due to the threat of Iranian attacks.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Pentagon & Congress
Has the Pentagon given up on AI polygraph analysis of trustworthiness?
AI-aided scanning of speech patterns, vocal stress or facial expressions to read minds lacks scientific backing and will compound errors, critics argue.
Supreme Court hears incarcerated veteran’s case challenging process for VA claims appeals
The case involves a veteran who is receiving reduced disability benefits while serving up to 40 years in prison.
2 veterans battle in court and online over defamation, for-profit claims processing
A local government official alleges a for-profit company attacked VSOs as having a "monopoly" on helping veterans with disability claims.
Unemployment rate for post-9/11 vets up as job market slumps
The unemployment rate for the nation’s post-9/11 generation of veterans rose from 3.5% in August to 4.1% in September.
In other news
Veterans face SNAP barriers as USDA guidance delays policy changes, GAO finds
GAO found outdated USDA SNAP guidance for veterans and recommended better outreach and coordination to help veterans access food assistance.
VIDEOS
Ukraine’s ‘Army of Robots’ idea presents fearsome future | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 10.6.26
A former Ukrainian defense official launches a futuristic robotic army initiative. Plus — a retired Green Beret turns to mine clearing as a new mission.
Featured Videos
SPECIAL FEATURES
Apply for Best for Vets: Trusted Brands
Military Times is now accepting submissions from companies that offer verifiable value to the military community through programs and benefits.
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.
TSA stops Alabama traveler for Civil War-era cannonballs in luggage
An Alabama traveler was stopped recently by TSA after checking luggage containing five Civil War-era cannonballs. Roll Tide.
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.”
By J.D. Simkins
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.
Don't miss
MORE STORIES
Veterans face SNAP barriers as USDA guidance delays policy changes, GAO finds
GAO found outdated USDA SNAP guidance for veterans and recommended better outreach and coordination to help veterans access food assistance.
Navy selects 3 companies to develop mine countermeasure technology
BeeX, BlackSea Technologies and Vatn Systems were selected as prize winners after successfully completing a mine countermeasures modernization challenge.
By Riley Ceder
Can you hear me now? 90% of Navy unaccompanied housing now has free Wi-Fi
Since the rollout began in November 2025, the Navy has sought to provide free, high-speed Wi-Fi to all Navy-owned and -operated unaccompanied housing.
US Navy awards RTX’s Raytheon $24.4B for SM-6 missiles amid stockpile concerns
The deal for the SM-6 interceptors comes as the Pentagon pushes to replenish munitions stockpiles depleted by conflicts in the Middle East.
By Mike Stone, Reuters
Troops get first increase in 24 years for hostile fire, danger pays
Pentagon raises danger pay for troops for the first time since 2002, increasing hostile fire pay to $450 and imminent danger pay to $275 per month.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Navy exceeds recruiting goal with over 45,000 new sailors
The Navy surpassed its fiscal 2026 recruitment goal of 45,000 sailors, marking three years in a row that it's met its accession target.
By Riley Ceder
Pentagon launches Office of Religious Affairs, will report directly to Hegseth
The Pentagon intends to address what Hegseth calls a loss of religious community within the military after an era of “political correctness.”
Navy Expeditionary Combat Command rebranded to reflect warfare evolution
CNO Adm. Daryl Caudle announced that the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command will now be known as Commander, Navy Expeditionary Forces.
By Riley Ceder