Daily News Roundup

Presidential Fitness Test to be required at Defense Department schools

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Presidential Fitness Test would soon be mandatory in the DoD's 161 K-12 schools.

Opinion

Why Congress must end the remarriage penalty for military survivors

A policy that causes surviving spouses to lose their benefits if they remarry suggests their sacrifice ends the moment they seek a new chapter in life.

Military moves to issue medical disqualifications earlier in the recruitment process

The military will prescreen prospective recruits for 28 medical conditions that are highly unlikely to receive enlistment waivers.

Military spouses head to the Hill, push for removal of barriers to small businesses to boost retention

Advocates aim to introduce the Military Spouse Small Business Recognition Act, arguing it could improve access to capital, national security and retention.

White House casts cartels, jihadists and left-wing extremists as ‘significant and pervasive’ threats to US

The Trump administration asserted that politically-motivated violence is driven by individuals who have "espoused extremist transgender ideologies."

Pentagon turns to AI targeting to help troops shoot drones

The technology can detect threats and distinguish them from non-threats, such as birds, faster than a human operator can.

Lawmakers introduce bill to lower drug costs for service members, veterans

The proposal would allow Tricare beneficiaries and VA patients to pay the lowest government-negotiated price for prescription drugs.

Maryland lawmakers allege lack of transparency following Air Force base jet fuel leak

The 32,000-gallon jet fuel spill at Joint Base Andrews occured between January and March, contaminating soils and the Piscataway Creek.

Commissaries reverse decision to charge for single-use bags

The decision came only one month after the bag fees went into effect.

B-52 engine replacement clears critical design review, first modifications to begin this year

The Air Force’s program to replace the B-52H Stratofortress’s 1960s-era engines cleared its critical design review, the service announced May 4.

Life or death centered around a canteen for this AEF soldier

While under a hail of machine gun fire, William Sawelson crawled through the mud to deliver water to a wounded soldier.

Danger pay for US troops could double, expand to more regions

The U.S. defense budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 has raised the prospect of an increase in the monthly stipend paid out to troops in dangerous regions.

Refusing evacuation, this Marine packed dirt into his wound and continued to fight

The patch of contested real estate known as the Battle of Getlin’s Corner is also remembered for an officer who stood out in a field full of valor.

Defense Department proposes splitting military health system budget

The Defense Department wants to split its funding for the military health system to protect military facilities and care.

Pentagon says Iran ceasefire holds despite exchanges in Strait of Hormuz

Gen. Dan Caine characterized the hostile actions as “all below the threshold of restarting major combat operations at this point.”

US, Iran launch new attacks as they wrestle for control of Gulf waters

It was the first apparent attempt to use military force since last month’s ceasefire announcement.