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Service members must prove sincere religious beliefs for facial hair waivers
Religious waivers that have already been approved will be reevaluated within 90 days, the memo states.
US strikes Iranian underground missile storage with 5,000-pound penetrator
The newest bunker-buster bomb made its combat debut against Iran earlier this week.
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Air Force first to upgrade records for troops discharged over COVID vax refusal
Hegseth also announced that the active-duty obligation for troops who opt to return to service is slashed in half from four years to just two years.
VA social worker dies following shooting at rural Georgia clinic
The Veterans Affairs employee died the day after being shot by an assailant who was in the clinic for a walk-in mental health consultation.
USS Boxer and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deploy to Middle East
The Pentagon is deploying thousands of additional Marines and sailors to the Middle East.
High-speed combat drone production starts at new US Anduril plant in days
Anduril Industries will begin building its new loyal wingman drones in the coming days at a new facility in Ohio.
In other news
Hegseth wants Pentagon to dump Claude, but military users say it’s not so easy
Pentagon staffers, former officials and IT contractors who work closely with the U.S. military say they are reluctant to give up Anthropic’s AI tools.
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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The impact of US interceptors on the Iran war | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 3.17.26
Since the beginning, part of the war in Iran has been a contest of Iranian missiles and drones versus U.S. interceptors. How is the matchup shaking out?
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World War I exhibit explores war’s impact on children
The World War I Museum’s exhibit explores childhood experiences between 1914 and 1918.
By Sarah Sicard
VA to ease benefits rules for vets exposed to Agent Orange in the US
The move follows several years of expanded benefits for veterans who suffered toxic exposure injuries while in the military.
40 militants killed in strikes on Iraq and Syria, Pentagon says
The U.S. struck more than 85 Iran-backed targets on Feb. 2 in retaliation for the deaths of three American soldiers in January.
National Guard boss: US can still fund Ukraine F-16 training — for now
The U.S. has been unable to send any new weapons packages to Ukraine as aid legislation stalls in Congress.
By Tara Copp, AP
Vet the Vote tackles election misinformation with Super Bowl launch
During a time when misinformation is eroding trust in U.S. elections, the group believes veterans are the key to restoring confidence.
Navy ‘urgently’ needs to fix new Hawaii water issues, lawmaker says
Officials are trying to determine why there's an oily sheen and chemical taste in tap water.
By Karen Jowers
Troops are still waiting weeks for off-base mental health appointments
A new government watchdog report found troops waited more than two weeks for an urgent appointment off base.
Military experience a valuable asset for veterans in nursing careers
Veterans in nursing careers say their time in the service helps them navigate the challenges of the medical field.
By Dave Lubach