Watchdog report points to power struggle involving VA secretary pick

A watchdog report ordered in 2012 by Dr. Ronny Jackson — President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs — found that he and a rival physician exhibited “unprofessional behaviors” as they engaged in a power struggle over the White House medical unit.

• ● VA secretary nomination in doubt as allegations of misbehavior emerge
• ● Trump suggests Jackson may drop out of VA secretary confirmation process

US Navy takes ownership of its second stealth destroyer

The U.S. Navy has accepted delivery of the Zumwalt-class destroyer Michael Monsoor from Bath Iron Works, Maine, meaning the ship is officially U.S. Navy property.

Ahead of summits, US tones down war games with South Korea

This year, the exercises have been postponed, scaled back, probably shortened and certainly toned down. They have not, however, been canceled. Here’s why:

• ● In big shift, Trump assesses Kim Jong Un as ‘very honorable’
• ● Trump warns: Iran will pay if it restarts nuclear program

Afghanistan veteran receives world’s first full penis and scrotum transplant

“I feel whole again.”

Incoming US Pacific Command chief wants to increase presence near China

Due to the distances involved in the Indo-Pacific, Adm. Philip Davidson stressed that the U.S. cannot solely rely on surge forces from the continental United States to deter Chinese aggression.

• ● US weighs keeping carrier strike group in Europe as a check on Russia

US-led coalition: ISIS may be resurgent on Russia’s turf, but not ours

The Islamic State is almost “completely defeated” in some areas, an Army spokesman says.

• ● ISIS, al-Qaida ‘regrouping’ in Libya, what’s US strategy? Congress asks

Afghan military trainees in the US keep going AWOL

As of February, nine of more than 150 Afghan trainees who went AWOL across the U.S. are still unaccounted for, DoD officials say.

All 4 service chiefs on record: No harm to units from transgender service

The chiefs' support runs counter to the president's position that some transgender service may harm unit morale.

Vietnam War Marine posthumously awarded Silver Star for fighting off ambush with a pistol

The Silver Star was presented to the Marine's brothers and sister Tuesday at Camp Pendleton.

The Corps is on track to turn the MV-22 into a refueling tanker

The V-22 Aerial Refueling System will help extend the range of F-35Bs, and other V-22s, by providing an additional 10,000 pounds of fuel to the MEUs.

No panacea for aviation mishaps, military brass tells Congress

During a April 12 hearing, lawmakers hammered military officials over what they will do to address a wave of rising aviation mishaps documented by Military Times.

• ● Editorial: Rise in aviation mishaps signals serious readiness, manning challenges

Students at DoD-run schools score among nation’s best in reading, math assessments

Scores in some subjects, at some grade levels, were best in the nation.

French president, Trump plant oak sapling from Belleau Wood in White House garden

President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron together planted the tree in the White House garden on Monday.