Top stories
Trump departs DC on Qatar-gifted Air Force One after emergency slide accidentally deploys
President Donald Trump's departure to Texas was briefly delayed after an emergency slide on Air Force One was accidentally deployed by military personnel.
They served through America’s post-9/11 wars. 25 years later, what did that service mean?
Nearly 3 million Americans served in the wars that followed Sept. 11. Three veterans reflect in The War Horse about what they saw, lost and still carry.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Apply for Best for Vets: Trusted Brands
Military Times is now accepting submissions from companies that offer verifiable value to the military community through programs and benefits.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Your Air Force
Pentagon codifies fitness standards across branches
The new regulations spell out testing timelines, standards for troops in combat arms specialties and guidelines for pregnancy and postpartum fitness.
Iran and US hit tankers in biggest wave of attacks on shipping since war began
Recent attacks by the U.S. and Iran have shattered a month of relative calm, with both hitting military, shipping and energy assets.
White House reviews candidates to replace Hegseth deputy, sources say
The White House has reviewed candidates to potentially replace Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg, Reuters reports.
Pentagon wants to use AI-generated ‘personalities’ for decoy cellphones
The DoD wants to wield AI-generated "personalities" to mimic real people and fool enemy AI.
In other news
Opinion
America wants the hero, not the human
If America and the DoD truly want to “support our troops,” they must start acknowledging the human beings inside the uniform, this military spouse writes.
VIDEOS
Marines to add thousands to ranks in coming years | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 9.8.26
The Marine Corps seeks to swell its ranks in the next five years. Plus, the Army museum remembers Sept. 11 and those who responded.
Featured Videos
TSA stops Alabama traveler for Civil War-era cannonballs in luggage
An Alabama traveler was stopped recently by TSA after checking luggage containing five Civil War-era cannonballs. Roll Tide.
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.”
By J.D. Simkins
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.
Don't miss
MORE STORIES
VA unveils national over-the-phone emergency care option for veterans
Of the more than 61,000 callers so far this year, about 59% had medical questions resolved without having to travel to an urgent care clinic or hospital.
Absentee voting deadlines loom for troops and their families
Here's what you need to know about voting when you're away from home.
By Karen Jowers
Vets benefits to mirror Social Security cost-of-living boost
Veterans will learn on Oct. 10 what their cost-of-living increase for benefits payouts will be in 2025.
Congress OKs three-month budget extension, avoiding October shutdown
Funding for most federal programs had been scheduled to expire after Sept. 30.
Senate confirms new National Guard chief, other command leaders
The top National Guard post has been vacant since the start of August.
VA to research link between PFAS chemicals and kidney cancer
The move could eventually lead to fast-track disability benefits for thousands of veterans.
Vets’ caregivers need more support from VA, local orgs, study finds
About 14.3 million individuals across America are currently serving as military and veteran caregivers, according to a new survey.
Food insecurity among military families unacceptable, advocates say
An estimated 325,000 military families are struggling with having enough food each week.
Spouses and vets are key to changing ‘broken’ narrative, experts say
Changing narratives around veterans and their military experience is key, according to advocacy groups.
By Karen Jowers