J.D. Simkins
Executive Editor
J.D. Simkins is the executive editor of Military Times and Defense News, and a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.
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Ode to James Ransone’s memorable portrayal of a junior enlisted Marine
In just seven episodes, James Ransone churned out one of the most relatable on-screen depictions of life as a junior enlisted Marine.
Commanding officer of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36 fired
Lt. Col. Calischaran G. James was relieved of his duties by Maj. Gen. Marcus B. Annibale, the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general.
Airman joins rare company in earning coveted Navy chief rank
Air Force Master Sgt. Atif Siddiqui officially gained access to the Goat Locker upon completion of the Navy's six-week rite of passage.
Selected Reserve Marines eligible for up to $20,000 retention bonus
In all, 100 MOSs are listed as eligible for the retention bonuses.
Pentagon must do better to safeguard public information, GAO warns
Of 10 DOD components assessed, only U.S. Special Operations Command was found to have consistently trained troops about the risks of digital information.
Airman killed Army veteran who attempted to stop dispute, police say
An Iraq War veteran was killed Wednesday morning while attempting to intervene in an alleged domestic dispute involving an active-duty airman.
Soldiers stress-test translator tech to bridge allied language gaps
The exchange program marked one small part of an ongoing effort to stress-test military technology across the continent’s 54 sovereign nations.
Armored soldiers get first live-fire work on Switchblade 600
1st Cavalry Division soldiers tested the system during an exercise at Fort Hood, marking the first time it was live-fired on the Texas installation.
Here’s what’s new in soldier gear in 2025 and beyond
From body armor to loitering munitions, the center for all things soldier gear is upgrading and fielding new equipment to troops.
FN to continue developing Army’s next-gen precision grenadier system
Creation of the next-gen system was influenced by real-time soldier feedback and battlefield priorities that continue to evolve in places like Ukraine.
