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Navy to reevaluate religious accommodations for facial hair
The DoD released a memorandum in March calling for service members to provide proof of their religious beliefs to qualify for facial hair waivers.
Senate committee backs Department of War name change
The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the Department of War rebrand in their version of the fiscal 2027 NDAA, moving the name closer to law.
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First look at the Global War on Terrorism Memorial design in Washington
If the design is approved, the foundation is aiming for a 2027 groundbreaking and a project completion date of late 2028.
US Navy stands up naval support activity in Western Australia
As part of the AUKUS security pact, NSA Stirling will provide support for personnel assigned to Submarine Rotational Force-West.
US aircraft fires at, disables another oil tanker in Gulf of Oman
The strike marks the second intervention this week by U.S. military forces against non-compliant vessels.
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are retiring. How will new leaders inherit their lessons learned?
The retirement of the post-9/11 generation raises a question: What, exactly, is worth carrying forward into a new age of warfare?
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Pentagon & Congress
Air Force cites DEI ban in cancellation of wreath-laying honoring women vets
An Air Force spokesperson acknowledged that the service “declined participation in compliance with Executive Orders … and DoW guidance.”
Veterans face higher hurdles in military sexual trauma claims, report finds
Veterans filing disability claims for military sexual assault or harassment face barriers to receiving compensation for their service-connected conditions.
Pentagon to launch ‘Cyber Mastery Incentive Pay’ program
The initative, dubbed Cyber Mastery Incentive Pay, is slated to begin in early October.
VA introduces new electronic health records system to four additional sites
The VA continues to adopt a new electronic medical record system, rolling it out to hospitals in Ohio and Kentucky on Saturday.
In other news
‘They got very lucky,’ Trump says of downed Apache helicopter’s crew
After a U.S. Army Apache helicopter was downed by an Iranian drone, President Donald Trump said the rescued aviators “got very lucky.”
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More new tech and gear from Modern Day Marine | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 6.9.26
A remote turret that keeps you on target in heavy seas, and lightweight belt-fed options. Plus, advice from MOAA.
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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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Ex-Proud Boys leader Tarrio guilty of Jan. 6 sedition plot
A jury in Washington, D.C., found the former Proud Boys leader guilty of seditious conspiracy. The charge carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years.
Black boxes recovered from Alaska Army helicopter crash site
The two helicopters from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment at Fort Wainwright collided on April 27, killing 3 soldiers.
By AP Staff
Inside the Navy’s pay and personnel crisis
A sprawling, multiyear effort to modernize sailor HR systems has instead led to lots of pain in the fleet.
A very good girl deploys on carrier Ford: Sage the service dog
During the USS Ford's deployment to U.S. 6th Fleet, the yellow Labrador retriever will comfort sailors and help them cope with operational stress.
Be sure to tank your artist — AI turns tanks into famous works of art
Some of the most famous pantings in history — but with tanks.
By Sarah Sicard