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Feds pay out $17M to families sickened by Navy’s fuel-contaminated water in Hawaii
Each of the 629 people received about $27,000. Affected service members have received nothing.
DoD scraps plan to privatize commissaries
DoD concluded “the potential cost savings of privatization are unlikely to be realized without severely degrading the benefits these programs provide."
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Debate over women in combat prompts NDAA battles
The amendments follow Hegseth’s order that all the services develop gender-neutral physical fitness standards for all troops in ground combat roles.
The Pentagon’s research infrastructure is ‘deteriorating,’ study finds
Pentagon research has been hampered by backlogged security clearances, limited funds to build or refurbish labs and a slow and difficult hiring process.
House vote on major veterans bill delayed amid controversy over voting legislation
A bill that encompasses two popular pieces of legislation — the Major Richard Star Act and the Love Lives On Act — has been stalled.
Following reports of staff shortages and safety concerns, VA to centralize its police force
The VA police force has faced challenges with recruiting and retention, raising safety concerns at facilities.
In other news
Trump meets munitions makers amid push to replenish weapons stockpiles
Pentagon negotiators are pressing contractors to move much faster to boost output.
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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F-35 program chief says growth has outpaced sustainability for joint fighters
"We didn't put enough parts and pieces on the shelf," Lt. Gen. Gregory L. Masiello told a Senate subcommittee in a recent hearing.
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White House asks Congress for $87.6 billion, mostly for Iran war
The request includes $67.15 billion for the military, including $21 billion for munitions and to strengthen the U.S. industrial base.
By Patricia Zengerle, Reuters
In shift, Pentagon grants flu vaccine exceptions to military services, some federal agencies
The Pentagon has updated their guidance on influenza vaccinations, giving select forces and agencies exceptions to the optional policy.
Can the US military preserve decades of wartime experience?
Thousands of post-9/11 veterans are reaching retirement. Whether the lessons they learned during two decades of combat will be retained remains to be seen.
By Natalie Oliverio
F-35 program chief warns fleet has outgrown its support system amid record-low readiness
The hearing comes on the heels of a Government Accountability Office report this month that found just one in four F-35s were fully mission capable.
Airstrike killed senior ISIS commander in Syria, CENTCOM says
A senior Islamic State leader was killed by an airstrike last week, Central Command announced on Wednesday.
By Eve Sampson
Military families paying $1,000 out of pocket for moves, survey shows
A new survey on military family well-being reveals challenges with the PCS experience, as well as spouse unemployment, food insecurity and housing costs.
By Karen Jowers
US Senate joins House in voting to halt Iran war
It marks the first time both chambers approved directing a president to remove armed forces from hostilities since the War Powers Act was adopted in 1973.
By Patricia Zengerle, Reuters
Top Space Force official wears new mess dress uniform ahead of its formal wear testing
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman sported the first wear-test asset of the mess dress at an Air Force graduation ceremony in mid-June.
VA inventory report reveals 367 AI systems operating in healthcare, benefits and services
A recently released report catalogs AI uses across the VA, from clinical tools used during patient care to systems that help process benefits.
By Natalie Oliverio
Nearly 5 million veterans have used magic mushrooms, LSD or MDMA, study finds
The RAND study revealed confusion among veterans about the VA's policies regarding psychedelics.
Gunfight at the Veracruz Custom House led to six Medal of Honor recipients
Six U.S. sailors and a Mexican naval cadet matched their heroism in an alley.
By Jon Guttman
Just one in four Americans believes the Iran war was worth its costs
Only 23% of Americans think the U.S. is now in a stronger position with Iran than before, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found.
By Jason Lange, Reuters
Air Force selects new technical sergeants with highest promotion rate since 2021
The Air Force announced the promotion of 6,668 staff sergeants to technical sergeant for a selection rate of 26.56%.
Flu outbreak sickens 200 trainees at Lackland Air Force Base
The outbreak among trainees comes two months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the annual flu shot optional for U.S. military personnel.
The unlikely role of Operation Epic Fury in a Mississippi AI data center lawsuit
The lawsuit argues that the data centers are operating illegally and polluting surrounding areas, but the DOJ said they’re needed for national security.
Can China’s latest air-to-air missile take on its US equivalent? Definitely maybe, experts say.
The PL-16’s specs would let it chase large, slower-moving aircraft, one analyst said, though its effectiveness against smaller, faster planes is unclear.
By Military Times staff