Lloyd Austin ends term marred by Afghanistan but buoyed by Ukraine
Defense Secretary Austin will bid farewell Friday following a term that included three major military crises, a global pandemic and a brush with cancer.
Pentagon & Congress
Trump picks intel community official as next Air Force secretary
If confirmed, Troy Meink would inherit key decisions about the Air Force's fighter force and how to right-size the Space Force as it takes on new missions.
Trump’s Pentagon should expand innovation hub, tech panel says
The Defense Innovation Board says DIU needs a bigger budget and more infrastructure to help guide nontraditional firms to scale technology.
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.
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.
Watchdog: Pentagon chief’s secret hospital stay ‘unnecessarily’ risky
A Pentagon watchdog found no harm to U.S. national security but said the incident raised the odds of such issues.
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.
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.
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.
Trump’s pick to lead Pentagon spars with Dems at confirmation hearing
Former FOX News host Pete Hegseth billed himself as an unconventional pick to shake up Pentagon operations.
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.
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.
New Senate Vet Affairs chair plans focus on care access, mental health
Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran will lead the chamber's veterans policy committee for the second time.
Blitz of confirmation hearings includes VA, DOD secretary picks
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Jan. 13, 2025.
Trump picks Senate candidate Sam Brown to head VA memorial affairs
The comabt wounded Army veteran will oversee VA cemetery operations and policies if confirmed to the new role.
Biden administration temporarily blocks 9/11 plea deal
It's the latest development in the U.S. military's struggle to bring to justice the man charged with planning the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.
Senate hearing could decide whether Hegseth becomes defense secretary
The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Trump's defense secretary pick next Tuesday.
