Top stories
Coast Guard arrests human smugglers who ram boat
The smugglers, Mexican citizens, were detained after Coast Guardsman disabled their motor with gunfire and pepper sprayed them.
Watchdog rebukes VA over failure to refund $110M in medical fees
The Office of Special Counsel said VA owes about $110 million to nearly 1 million veterans for voided medical co-pays.
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Multi-year outreach blitz helped bring more vets into VA services
Department leaders have used high-profile partnerships and ad campaigns to reach out to veterans perviously leery of VA programs.
Pentagon report backs quality-of-life tweaks, not major pay changes
The periodic review of military compensation called troops' pay "strongly competitive" when compared to civilian wages.
More military children will soon have access to DOD-operated schools
A new program ends a blanket requirement that families must live on base in order for their children to attend DOD schools.
Hegseth promises to reinstate, repay troops who refused COVID vaccine
About 8,000 troops were kicked out of the military for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
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Your Military
Marine Corps missile truck first to be produced with off-road autonomy
The Marine Corps' ROGUE Fires will roll off production lines with self-driving capability from Forterra.
Opinion
Hegseth’s track record falls short of military standards: Dem senators
In this op-ed, Sens. Kelly and Duckworth argue Pete Hegseth falls short of the standards expected of those he would oversee as defense secretary.
New Tricare contracts bring health care changes
Beneficiaries can expect easier transfer of medical referrals when they move, among other things, with the new Tricare contracts.
Expecting mothers overseas now have doula coverage in Tricare test
Starting Jan. 1, Tricare expanded doula and lactation services to expectant mothers overseas. The services are part of a test that runs through 2026.
In other news
TriWest switch sparks ‘deluge of misdirected calls,’ Health Net says
Health Net is seeing a 200% increase in calls to their claims center, many because of problems reaching the new West Region contractor.
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.
Marine lights candles for romantic hotel surprise, sets room on fire
Update the safety brief.
By J.D. Simkins
Did a US F-22 shoot down a UFO? Photo of aerial object adds to mystery
A grainy image (it’s always a grainy image) of an object downed by an F-22 over Canada's Yukon territory has aviation (and UFO) enthusiasts chattering.
Air Force Falcons unveil glorious AFSOC-themed football unis
The Air Force just dropped some special edition football uniforms and they are certifiably fire.
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VIDEOS
Navy surface warfare director: No more big, expensive drones — the future is one affordable design
"We have got to get real here," a top Navy leader said in a speech recently. No more large, "exquisite" sea drones — he's looking for one affordable design.
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MORE STORIES
The Pentagon’s ‘Replicator’ drone bonanza faces an uncertain future
At stake is the military's ability to adjust to the future of war and compete with China, its main rival.
1,800 California National Guardsmen activated for LA fire response
California Governor Gavin Newsom increased the number of Guardsmen over the weekend, as the death toll for the wildfires climbed to 24.
By Riley Ceder
Confirmation hearing for Trump’s VA Sec pick delayed over FBI check
The confirmation hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday morning, but will now be held next week.
Kendall floats F-35 successor, casts 2050 vision for Air Force
The Air Force and Space Force "need to go through a transformation" by 2050, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said on the eve of his departure.
Opinion
Chairman Bost: America’s veterans have earned Doug Collins
In this op-ed, Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) discusses how the character and servant leadership of the VA secretary nominee is exactly what veterans need.
By Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.)
In quiet shift, Marines allow mixed-gender DI teams to train recruits
A typical integrated team will have three DIs of one gender and a fourth of the opposite gender, with most featuring three male instructors and one female.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Marine Corps missile truck first to be produced with off-road autonomy
The Marine Corps' ROGUE Fires will roll off production lines with self-driving capability from Forterra.
By Jen Judson