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VA eliminates gender-identity initiatives, reclassifies LGBTQ+ care coordinators
The VA is eliminating all activity geared toward veterans’ gender identities and reclassifying its LGBTQ+ care coordinators, an internal memo says.
Senate committee proposes 3.6% military pay raise, rejecting White House request for more
The Senate is proposing a lower raise for troops than what was requested, but its bill sets aside additional funding for military quality-of-life programs.
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Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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Military History
Bravery in Burma: Despite being rendered blind by the Japanese, this soldier fought on
Marching 200 miles inside northern Burma and determined to cut off the enemy, 1st Lt. Jack L. Knight made the ultimate sacrifice.
Pentagon open to Poland’s offer to host permanent U.S. base, Polish minister says
Poland has been pushing for a bigger allied presence on NATO’s eastern flank after Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine in 2022.
Republicans blast Iran agreement as details emerge
One Republican senator called the framework pact announced this week the “worst foreign policy blunder in decades.”
Vietnam War hero of Dong Ha Bridge to be awarded the Medal of Honor
President Donald Trump is set to posthumously award Marine Col. John Ripley the Medal of Honor on June 18 in a White House ceremony.
In other news
Senate advances effort to investigate use of JAG officers as immigration judges
A new measure would require an investigation into how roughly 600 military lawyers were used as immigration judges and special assistant U.S. attorneys.
Sailor reportedly finds dead rat in finished energy drink
The sailor said medical personnel informed him, “with the chemicals that are in Monster, that it should be OK.”
That time the Air Force proposed making a ‘gay bomb’
The Air Force once explored the idea of a chemical weapon that would make enemy soldiers sexually irresistible to one another — striking a blow to morale.
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?
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President awards Medal of Honor to three recipients at White House
Two Marines and a soldier received the nation's highest military award for valor for actions in Vietnam and the war in Afghanistan.
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MORE STORIES
Senate advances effort to investigate use of JAG officers as immigration judges
A new measure would require an investigation into how roughly 600 military lawyers were used as immigration judges and special assistant U.S. attorneys.
By Ellen Ioanes
Air Force updates chaplain, maternity uniform guidance
Air Force chaplains will now wear chaplain rank insignia, and pregnant airmen can wear a maternity wrap dress.
Read the 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran
The 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran leaves contentious issues between the countries unresolved.
By Tanya Noury
Air Force identifies 8 people killed in B-52 crash
The individuals who died in Monday's B-52 Stratofortress crash were a mix of service members, government civilians and contractors.
Doorstep grocery delivery expanding to all US commissaries
The service will roll out in phases to all U.S. commissaries by the end of September.
By Karen Jowers
Has the military been miscalculating spouse unemployment?
A recent report suggests that the Pentagon has overstated spouse unemployment rates and obscured factors unique to a military lifestyle.
By Jennifer Barnhill
Pentagon demands human performance data from services in fitness overhaul
The Pentagon has quietly set in motion a yearlong strategy to unify the military services’ approach to achieving what it calls “Total Force Fitness.”
By Hope Hodge Seck
Fair winds, INDOPACOM: Pentagon returns command name to US Pacific Command
U.S. Pacific Command was the formation's official name until 2018, when it was changed to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
By J.D. Simkins
KC-46A boom mishap caused by operator and F-22 pilot errors, investigation finds
An investigation found that a KC-46A's emergency landing and refueling boom damage in July 2025 was mainly due to the operator's incorrect control inputs.
US Air Force tanker availability figures may be inflated, study finds
In addition to questionable availability rates, the Air Force tanker fleet also suffers from severe sustainment issues, according to the GAO.
By Michael Peck
Lawmakers aim to ease state-to-state moves for military homeschoolers
The Republican proposal would exempt military families from conflicting state laws on homeschooling, as long as they remain in compliance with one state.
By Karen Jowers
2 Boeing employees among 8 killed in B-52 crash
Boeing confirmed that two of their employees were on board the B-52 bomber that crashed at Edwards Air Force Base on Monday.
8 people killed in B-52 bomber crash at California base, officials confirm
U.S. Air Force officials confirmed late Monday that the eight individuals on board a B-52 Stratofortress that crashed after takeoff were killed.
US won’t soften military posture in Middle East despite Iran agreement
Nearly 50,000 U.S. troops are positioned across the region, according to Adm. Brad Cooper, head of Central Command.
By Tanya Noury
8 people presumed dead in B-52 Stratofortress crash
The aircraft crashed shortly after its takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base on Monday, the service announced.
Iran, US agree to halt war and reopen Hormuz
The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland.
By Parisa Hafezi, Yomna Ehab and Humeyra Pamuk, Reuters