If Congress does not approve a federal appropriations plan by midnight, some military activities could be postponed or canceled over the weekend. The Navy's fiscal 2025 budget request prioritizes near-term readiness and lethality and delays a number of larger, longer-term modernization programs. Officials stressed that any decision to accelerate Navy junior officer promotion has not yet been finalized. Master Chief Robotics Warfare Specialist Christopher Rambert was pinned less than a week after the service unveiled the new robotics-focused rating. The yard has laid off nearly 100 workers related to the LCU program since January and is considering actions to dispute the Navy’s termination of the deal. The new system is designed to improve troops’ ability to communicate with their moving company and add transparency to the process. Navy brass are confident that a raft of new measures will help right the sea service's listing recruiting numbers. Air Force recruiting boss Brig. Gen. Christopher Amrhein said Tuesday he is “cautiously optimistic” about staying on track for the rest of the year. New Tricare contracts aim to improve access to health care, clinical quality and patient safety, as well as increase military readiness. The Navy last allowed entry of candidates without a high school diploma or GED more than 20 years ago. Load More