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Air Force gives airmen just days to reenlist for retention bonus
High retention rates and reenlistments have caused the Air Force to burn through its retention bonus budget earlier than expected.
Homeland Security eyes new $50M jet for Noem, Coast Guard officials
The request for a new jet comes as President Donald Trump considers accepting a luxury Boeing jumbo jet as a gift from the ruling family of Qatar.
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Pacific land force leaders seek ‘positional advantage’ against China
More ships, partnerships and strike assets are in store for Pacific land forces.
Vets disability claims backlog down to 200K cases, a post-pandemic low
The number of overdue disabiltiy claims rose to more than 400,000 cases after COVID-19 office closures and toxic exposure benefits expansion.
Military to screen for gender dysphoria amid transgender ban, per memo
The Pentagon told commanders to direct medical record reviews of troops they suspect have gender dysphoria. The DOD will also screen troops at physicals.
Trump’s vow of ‘substantial’ pay raise for troops counters budget plan
The White House spending plans call for a 3.8% pay boost next year, a smaller raise than troops saw in January.
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Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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Extremism & Disinformation
Trial opens for Navy vet arrested near Obama’s DC home in 2023
Investigators found two guns, roughly 400 rounds of ammunition and a machete in Taylor Taranto’s van after he showed up near Obama’s home.
How Battle Brick Customs carved out a space for military collectors
The company produces kits based on real military vehicles, ranging from World War II tanks to modern U.S. Army Humvees and Special Forces boats.
Thousands in West Region being booted out of military’s Tricare
Those who want to reinstate their coverage must do so by June 30.
Opinion
I sounded the alarm on burn pits — now I see smoke at the VA
The impact of VA Secretary Collins' staffing cuts remains hazy, not unlike the downwind side of a burn pit, Dan Clare of DAV argues in this op-ed.
In other news
DOD should fix parent notifications about alleged child abuse, IG says
DOD rules don't go far enough to ensure parents are aware of the specifics of allegations involving their children, the Inspector General found.
How Battle Brick Customs carved out a space for military collectors
The company produces kits based on real military vehicles, ranging from World War II tanks to modern U.S. Army Humvees and Special Forces boats.
This sailor requested leave to get his wife pregnant. It was approved.
“My wife is planning on getting pregnant this weekend,” the 1967 liberty request read, “and I would sure like to be there when it happens.”
What surviving an IED taught me about being a stand-up comedian
An Army veteran-turned-stand-up comedian discusses the importance of laughter in the wake of trauma.
Life of pie: Soldier charged with loan fraud in bakery boondoggle
The soldier has been charged for allegedly using a fraudulent pie business called “Granny’s Delight” to obtain COVID-related business relief loans.
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MORE STORIES
DC military-air traffic control hotline hasn’t worked for over 3 years
The FAA confirmed the agency didn’t know the hotline hadn’t been working since March 2022 until after the latest near miss at Reagan National Airport.
Navy leaders look to expand munitions options as supplies run low
Operations against Houthi militants in the Red Sea have drawn down missile supplies potentially needed for future operations.
Marine F-35B stealth fighter squadron arrives in Japan
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, based in Yuma, Arizona, recently deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
By Riley Ceder
Army task forces ‘centerpiece’ for deterring China: INDOPACOM boss
Adm. Samuel Paparo praised the fires capabilities brought to a potential fight by the Army’s multidomain task forces in the Pacific.
By Todd South
Here’s who’s getting the Army’s first long-range assault aircraft
The Army identified the first unit to receive the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft, or MV-75.
By Jen Judson
Air Force One greeted by fighter escorts during Trump’s Mideast visit
Like Saudi Arabia did a day earlier, Qatar gave Trump's Air Force One a ceremonial escort from its F-15 fighter jets — an exceptionally rare sight.
VA errors in benefits payouts down, but still total more than $1.3B
Recurring errors in VA benefits processing amounted to hundreds of millions in losses for U.S. taxpayers in fiscal 2024.
Air Force eyes longer range for F-47 as combat edge in Pacific theater
A greater fighter range would help the Air Force reach targets in contested airspace in the Pacific, where refueling tankers may not be an option.
Dems demand military investigation into Qatar’s plane gift to Trump
Lawmakers worry the expensive gift could create financial and legal issues for the Defense Department.
Trial opens for Navy vet arrested near Obama’s DC home in 2023
Investigators found two guns, roughly 400 rounds of ammunition and a machete in Taylor Taranto’s van after he showed up near Obama’s home.
By Michael Kunzelman, The Associated Press