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Troops would get up to 7% pay raise under proposed defense bill
The White House's proposed budget for fiscal 2027 includes a pay raise for junior enlisted service members and other pay grades, ranging from 5% to 7%.
US special forces rescue second F-15 airman from Iran
The airman, the weapons officer of an F-15 jet shot down on Friday, was wounded but “will be just fine,” President Trump announced.
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Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
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Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
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Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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Trump says he has agreed to two-week ceasefire with Iran
Trump said he expects an agreement to be “finalized and consummated” during the two-week ceasefire.
B-2s flew 36-hour mission to target Iranian Revolutionary Guard meeting
B-2 bombers dropped bunker-buster bombs on an underground compound where commanders from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had gathered.
Overrun and alone, this Medal of Honor recipient gave his life so his men could escape
While defending along 35-mile front in South Korea, Master Sgt. Michael Pena made his last stand.
US hits military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island
Vice President JD Vance said the strikes were not a change in U.S. strategy.
In other news
Calls for tougher US bunkers, hangars go back years, analysts say
The Iran war has reignited a longstanding conversation about the need for the U.S. to protect its aircraft with underground bunkers and hardened shelters.
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.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
By Clay Beyersdorfer
When veterans take the pen, war stories start to change
Hollywood has never lacked war stories. But it has often lacked veteran storytellers telling them.
How MREs inspired today’s meal-delivery industry
The MRE has to survive heat, cold, impact and time. And it has to do all of that at scale. Sound familiar?
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DOD decides against privatizing service members’ household goods moves
Instead of privatizing the process for moving troops' household goods, Hegseth directed defense officials Wednesday to improve the DOD's legacy program.
By Karen Jowers
Troops request assistance at ‘unprecedented’ rate as shutdown persists
Due to processing time, Congress would need to act to ensure military pay Monday or earlier in order to avoid troops' checks being delayed, DFAS confirmed.
By Karen Jowers
Shutdown halts funding for military spouse tuition assistance program
No new requests for military spouse MyCAA financial assistance have been approved since Sept. 30.
By Karen Jowers
Military families seek out food assistance amid shutdown anxiety
"We expected an increase, but didn't quite expect this," said Dorene Ocamb, Armed Services YMCA chief brand and development officer.
By Karen Jowers
How the government shutdown is affecting troops, families
The current effects of the shutdown on installation programs and services vary from base to base.
By Karen Jowers
Financial resources for troops if the government shutdown stops pay
From banks and credit unions to the military relief societies, help will be available.
By Karen Jowers
Here’s how a government shutdown would affect VA services
Veterans' health care and benefits processing won't be affected, but other services would stop during a government shutdown.
By Karen Jowers
Senator ‘alarmed’ about barracks privatization, seeks answers from DOD
Given the Defense Department's history with family housing privatization, the Pentagon should "move cautiously," one senator said.
By Karen Jowers
DOD needs to shore up help for troops with gambling problems, GAO says
More clarity is needed to define who's responsible for certain steps to prevent and treat gambling disorder among troops, government auditors said.
By Karen Jowers
Here’s how looming government shutdown could affect troops, families
Lawmakers are pushing for military pay to continue. Some operations, like child care, may vary from base to base.
By Karen Jowers