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Inside the Pentagon’s new handbook on countering drones
The 100-page guide is part field manual, part history lesson and part philosophy of modern warfare.
How veterans groups came to clash over a sweeping VA benefits bill
Veterans organizations are deeply divided over details contained in the sweeping legislation known as the Taking Care of America’s Veterans Act.
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‘Testing is now underway’: Zelenskyy confirms progress on major US defense deals
On the heels of a Patriot license pledge, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed progress on billion-dollar defense tech deals with the U.S.
Army orders mass shutdown of official social media accounts
The Army is consolidating its official social media presence, drastically slashing the number of allowable accounts.
VA claims backlog drops below 70,000 for first time in six years
The VA claims backlog dropped below 70,000 for first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Air Force contingency wing assists Venezuela in earthquake response, aid intake
Airmen in the 621st Contingency Response Wing are assisting Venezuelan authorities to expand aid intake following devastating earthquakes.
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B-21 Raider to fly with two-pilot configuration
The Air Force's new long-range strike bomber will operation with a two-pilot configuration.
He left Mongolia to pursue higher education. He returned as a US soldier.
Fourteen years after leaving Mongolia on his own, Sgt. Munk Munkhzaya returned home in a U.S. Army uniform — and reenlisted inside a traditional yurt.
Pentagon seemly lifts suspension of low-flying South Carolina Apache pilots
The Pentagon said the suspension of Apache pilots involved in a beach flyover last week has been lifted.
US Marines successfully test-fire new medium-range air defense system
U.S. Marines on Guam successfully fired the service's new Medium-Range Intercept Capability system during Exercise Valiant Shield.
In other news
US transfers retired Marine Corps AAVs to allies defending Black Sea region
Retired U.S. Marine Corps AAVs will go to allied nations in defense of the Black Sea region.
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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Navy says sailors with ‘unmanageable permanent’ razor bumps face separation
A new directive in the Navy says sailors who need shaving waivers for more than one year face involuntary separation.
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Death of airman caused by multiple points of failure, report finds
A special investigation found that Staff Sgt. Charles Crumlett’s death while working on a F-22 was caused, among others, by a lack of supervision.
Lockheed still paid $1.7 billion despite poor readiness rate of F-35s
An audit found that the defense department paid the aerospace company $1.7 billion by July in spite of poor performance.
What is Nifty Nugget? NDAA revives 47-year-old military exercise
In 1978, the 21-day exercise, dubbed “Nifty Nugget,” brought two dozen military commands to bear to support a notional conflict in Europe.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Trump says US ‘hit’ facility where alleged drug boats ‘load up’
Trump declined to say if the military or CIA was involved or where it occurred.
This company is rethinking PTSD treatment for veterans — with VR
Brenden Borrowman, a retired Army veteran, founded Neurova Labs to focus on treating the physiological injury underlying conditions like PTSD and TBI.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
Santa’s elves have been busy bringing cheer to military families
Santa takes time for train rides with military families through Alaska, and to attend parties with gifts and treats.
By Karen Jowers
Military recruiting off to ‘strong start’ for fiscal 2026, DOD says
Overall, the services met an average of 103% of their active-duty recruiting goals for fiscal 2025, according to the Defense Department.
By Karen Jowers
Military lawyer swiftly fired after defying Trump deportation push
An Army Reserve lawyer detailed as a federal immigration judge has been fired after granting asylum at a high rate.
Raw sewage, broken AC, bugs: Report reveals squalor at border mission
The visits uncovered “unsanitary conditions in bathroom facilities,” specifically “leaking raw sewage, non-functional toilets, and general disrepair..."
By Eve Sampson
‘Warrior dividend’ is on the way to troops, Trump says
In honor of America's 250th anniversary, troops will receive $1,776 before Christmas, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday.
By Karen Jowers