Jonathan Lehrfeld
Early Bird Brief Editor, Military Times
Jonathan is a staff writer and editor of the Early Bird Brief newsletter for Military Times. Follow him on Twitter @lehrfeld_media
All Stories By Jonathan
Weighing benefits: Could anti-obesity meds help troops’ weight issues?
Advocates argue that anti-obesity drugs like Ozempic could help overweight troops, but the services have no uniform policy for such treatments.
Incidents of sexual assault, harassment continue to drop in US military, report finds
A survey found that roughly 20,500 sexual assaults occurred in the U.S. military in fiscal year 2025, down from 29,000 in fiscal year 2023.
Opinion
Every combat medic is trained for the wound. We should train them for what comes next.
Every combat medic is trained to treat wounds. They should also be trained for the mental aspect that follows, an Army combat medic writes in this op-ed.
Behind the $1 million viral moment: The life of Navy veteran and ‘Beast Games’ standout
Navy veteran Harrison Schoen had been forging his own nomadic lifestyle before going viral on Amazon Prime's “Beast Games."
Some military barracks ‘chronically neglected’ due to $285 billion in maintenance backlogs, GAO finds
A GAO report found that the department underperforms in funding maintenance needs as recommended by its Facilities Sustainment Model.
The US Navy has battled operational tempo ordeals for years. The Iran war exposed the flaws.
Carrier availability and decisions made during the Iran war have exacerbated the US Navy's longstanding struggles with a frenzied operational tempo.
US Navy leads multinational effort for next-gen SeaSparrow missile
The U.S. Navy is leading a multinational effort to develop a new version of the Evolved SeaSparrow air defense missile.
Hundreds of US military family members trapped at camp facing closure, group says
Family members of U.S. troops and veterans are stranded at a camp in Qatar that the U.S. is planning to close Sept. 30, an aid organization said.
Sailor charged with murder in shooting death aboard USS John F. Kennedy
A sailor assigned to the USS John F. Kennedy faces multiple charges, including murder, following the shooting death of another sailor in June.
US Navy destroyer spent 4 days without power in South China Sea
USS Benfold endured an "engineering casualty" last month, leaving about 300 sailors without potable water, galley services, toilets or air conditioning.
