Top stories
Veteran suicides declined in 2024 for second straight year
According to a new VA report, 17.7 veterans die by suicide each day.
Has the Pentagon given up on AI polygraph analysis of trustworthiness?
AI-aided scanning of speech patterns, vocal stress or facial expressions to read minds lacks scientific backing and will compound errors, critics argue.
Latest
Supreme Court hears incarcerated veteran’s case challenging process for VA claims appeals
The case involves a veteran who is receiving reduced disability benefits while serving up to 40 years in prison.
US Marine arrested, suspected of robbing, murdering woman in Okinawa
LCpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, assigned to the III MEF, was arrested by local authorities after allegedly murdering and robbing Okinawa resident Anna Yagi.
US Army tests counter-drone tech at Mexican border as cartel drone use rises
The service is seeking to sharpen its defenses against the growing threat of drone use by cartels.
Aboard the USS George Washington, young sailors adjust to war with Iran
Sailors must maintain a state of alert and readiness, heightened in the case of the George Washington due to the threat of Iranian attacks.
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EDITOR'S PICKS
Middle East
Saudis plan assault on Houthis to break Red Sea chokehold
More than 100,000 Yemeni troops could be mobilized in the offensive, depending on the scale, officials said.
Opinion
The Army’s most dangerous logistics problem is hiding behind motor pools
The Army must establish company-level asset management chiefs before the next major conflict, an active-duty officer writes.
Green Beret who survived an IED now clears Ukraine’s landmines
A Green Beret and Silver Star recipient who once survived an IED and now clears Ukraine's landmines is the subject of a new documentary, "Safe Ground."
Opinion
The Military Spouse Commission: viable solution or classic bureaucratic dog-and-pony show?
Military families don't need another forum that acknowledges their struggles without confronting the policies that cause them, this military spouse writes.
In other news
Opinion
As Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day approaches, words matter
The sacrifice represented by the Gold Star must never be diluted into something it was never intended to mean, this Gold Star father writes.
VIDEOS
Ukraine’s ‘Army of Robots’ idea presents fearsome future | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 10.6.26
A former Ukrainian defense official launches a futuristic robotic army initiative. Plus — a retired Green Beret turns to mine clearing as a new mission.
Featured Videos
TSA stops Alabama traveler for Civil War-era cannonballs in luggage
An Alabama traveler was stopped recently by TSA after checking luggage containing five Civil War-era cannonballs. Roll Tide.
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.”
By J.D. Simkins
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.
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MORE STORIES
Naval Special Warfare Command failed to identify, treat TBI in service members: Watchdog
The DOD Inspector General found that Naval Special Warfare Command failed to identity and treat traumatic brain injuries in personnel.
By Riley Ceder
Veterans face SNAP barriers as USDA guidance delays policy changes, GAO finds
GAO found outdated USDA SNAP guidance for veterans and recommended better outreach and coordination to help veterans access food assistance.
Marine Corps meets 2026 goal with over 31,000 new recruits
The Corps recruited 31,250 enlisted Marines alongside 1,672 officers and 3,503 prior service reserve Marines in what the service calls a “rebound."
Navy selects 3 companies to develop mine countermeasure technology
BeeX, BlackSea Technologies and Vatn Systems were selected as prize winners after successfully completing a mine countermeasures modernization challenge.
By Riley Ceder
Air, Space forces hit recruitment goals, set higher 2027 targets
The Department of the Air Force set larger goals for 2027 after recruiting 31,950 airmen and 730 guardians in fiscal 2026.
Can you hear me now? 90% of Navy unaccompanied housing now has free Wi-Fi
Since the rollout began in November 2025, the Navy has sought to provide free, high-speed Wi-Fi to all Navy-owned and -operated unaccompanied housing.
Marine Corps plans new warfighter test for future generals
Following Pentagon guidelines, the Marine Corps is developing and testing its own Joint Warfighter Evaluation.
US Navy awards RTX’s Raytheon $24.4B for SM-6 missiles amid stockpile concerns
The deal for the SM-6 interceptors comes as the Pentagon pushes to replenish munitions stockpiles depleted by conflicts in the Middle East.
By Mike Stone, Reuters
Marines head to the Baltic to safeguard undersea infrastructure
The U.S. is rerouting a team of “specialized” Marines from Europe to the Baltic Sea to bolster NATO-led security efforts.
By Eve Sampson