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Lloyd Austin ends term marred by Afghanistan but buoyed by Ukraine
Defense Secretary Austin will bid farewell Friday following a term that included three major military crises, a global pandemic and a brush with cancer.
Navy relieves CO of Naval Information Warfare Training Group Norfolk
Cmdr. Sarah M. Quemada was relieved of her duties “due to a loss of confidence in her ability to command,” the service said.
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Navy names aircraft carriers after former presidents Bush and Clinton
The Navy vessels will be the first to bear the names of former presidents William J. Clinton and George W. Bush.
Navy to clear records for some sailors who refused COVID-19 vaccine
The settlement comes as the result of a class-action lawsuit brought by sailors who denied the COVID-19 vaccine due to religious reasons.
Senate panel advances Hegseth’s bid to become next defense secretary
The vote from the Senate Armed Services Committee sets up a full Senate confirmation vote on Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon later this week.
Trump promises to bring back troops booted for refusing COVID vaccine
Both Trump and his pick to lead the Pentagon have promised back pay for troops dismissed for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Pentagon & Congress
Lawmakers again push to ease firing rules for misbehaving VA staff
Punishing underperforming VA workers was a priority during Trump's first term. Congressional leaders want to zero in on the problem again.
Trump picks intel community official as next Air Force secretary
If confirmed, Troy Meink would inherit key decisions about the Air Force's fighter force and how to right-size the Space Force as it takes on new missions.
Coast Guard arrests human smugglers who ram boat
The smugglers, Mexican citizens, were detained after Coast Guardsman disabled their motor with gunfire and pepper sprayed them.
Watchdog rebukes VA over failure to refund $110M in medical fees
The Office of Special Counsel said VA owes about $110 million to nearly 1 million veterans for voided medical co-pays.
In other news
Multi-year outreach blitz helped bring more vets into VA services
Department leaders have used high-profile partnerships and ad campaigns to reach out to veterans perviously leery of VA programs.
VIDEOS
The Taliban were so close he could hear them whisper. His next action saved lives.
Ryan Pitts, a Medal of Honor recipient from the War in Afghanistan, talks about how the ability to move forward in the face of fear is a staple of courage.
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Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2024.
What to know for a smooth PCS move in 2024
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Life of pie: Soldier charged with loan fraud in bakery boondoggle
The soldier has been charged for allegedly using a fraudulent pie business called “Granny’s Delight” to obtain COVID-related business relief loans.
Marine lights candles for romantic hotel surprise, sets room on fire
Update the safety brief.
By J.D. Simkins
Did a US F-22 shoot down a UFO? Photo of aerial object adds to mystery
A grainy image (it’s always a grainy image) of an object downed by an F-22 over Canada's Yukon territory has aviation (and UFO) enthusiasts chattering.
Air Force Falcons unveil glorious AFSOC-themed football unis
The Air Force just dropped some special edition football uniforms and they are certifiably fire.
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MORE STORIES
Watchdog rebukes VA over failure to refund $110M in medical fees
The Office of Special Counsel said VA owes about $110 million to nearly 1 million veterans for voided medical co-pays.
More military children will soon have access to DOD-operated schools
A new program ends a blanket requirement that families must live on base in order for their children to attend DOD schools.
By Karen Jowers
Navy names aircraft carriers after former presidents Bush and Clinton
The Navy vessels will be the first to bear the names of former presidents William J. Clinton and George W. Bush.
By Riley Ceder
Pentagon report backs quality-of-life tweaks, not major pay changes
The periodic review of military compensation called troops' pay "strongly competitive" when compared to civilian wages.
Hegseth promises to reinstate, repay troops who refused COVID vaccine
About 8,000 troops were kicked out of the military for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Trump’s pick to lead Pentagon spars with Dems at confirmation hearing
Former FOX News host Pete Hegseth billed himself as an unconventional pick to shake up Pentagon operations.
Navy shipbuilding plan would cost $1 trillion over the next 30 years
The Navy's plan for its future fleet would require $1 trillion and a drastic increase in productivity at the nation's shipyards.
The Pentagon’s ‘Replicator’ drone bonanza faces an uncertain future
At stake is the military's ability to adjust to the future of war and compete with China, its main rival.
1,800 California National Guardsmen activated for LA fire response
California Governor Gavin Newsom increased the number of Guardsmen over the weekend, as the death toll for the wildfires climbed to 24.
By Riley Ceder