Top stories
US military strike near Venezuela disrupts life in fishing communities
The situation highlights the region's reliance on illegal trade amid economic hardship.
Mass deportations ensnare immigrant service members, veterans
As the Trump administration engages in a campaign of mass deportations, military experts and veterans say immigrant troops and their relatives are targets.
Latest
Experts debunk DOD claim about autism therapy, demand its availability
A new report urges the DOD to provide Applied Behavior Analysis as a basic benefit for the one in 28 military children diagnosed with autism.
Ex-midshipman charged in threat that caused US Naval Academy lockdown
Jackson Fleming was arrested on suspicion of sending an online threat through a social media application concerning the academy, federal prosecutors said.
Retired 4-star Navy admiral sentenced to 6 years for bribery plot
Retired Adm. Robert P. Burke — once the second-highest uniformed officer in the Navy — declined to address the court before a judge sentenced him Tuesday.
Navy doctor fired after Hegseth, Libs of TikTok criticize her on X
Libs of TikTok criticized a Navy doctor for a job it appears she never held in an office that was never created. She was then fired from her real position.
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Your Navy
Four soldiers killed in Washington state helicopter crash, Army says
Four special operations soldiers died when the MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter they were aboard crashed near JBLM earlier this week, officials said.
Muhammad Ali’s unsigned Vietnam draft card heads to auction
Muhammad Ali's refusal to sign his Vietnam-era military draft card upended the boxing champ's life and added a powerful voice to the anti-war movement.
Virginia National Guard begins ICE logistics support
The Virginia National Guard mobilized 40 troops this week to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with non-law enforcement duties.
Senate rejects competing funding bills, increasing shutdown risk
The Senate rejected competing measures on Friday to fund federal agencies for a few weeks when the new budget year begins on Oct. 1.
In other news
Remains of WWII Medal of Honor recipient identified after 80 years
Army Capt. Willibald Bianchi was killed in 1945 after U.S. aircraft, unaware there were prisoners on board, scored a direct hit on a Japanese POW ship.
VIDEOS
Honoring the 2025 Service Members of the Year | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 9.13.25
Selfless acts of bravery, grit and sacrifice are highlighted in a selection of profiles of the 2025 Service Members of the Year from Military Times.
Featured Videos
SPECIAL FEATURES
Sea-Air-Space 2025 Coverage
Defense News is reporting on the top headlines and news coming out of Navy League’s annual show.
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.
‘The Terminal List: Dark Wolf’ cements dominance of military thrillers
The success of "Dark Wolf" reflects broader audience demand for military and espionage dramas.
Country music no longer owns the troops, and that’s a good thing
Troops today are just as likely to share playlists filled with hip-hop, EDM or K-pop as they are with country music legends.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
The National Guard, DC landscaping and the great pursuit of lethality
Few training methods guarantee a better fighting force than boredom-induced annoyance.
Back-to-school, military edition: why August is also admin hell
For civilians, August is a return to structure. For service members and veterans facing bureaucratic deadlines, it often feels like drowning in it.
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MORE STORIES
Scammers who target veterans could face extra prison time
Legislation would add 10 years to fraud convictions when the victim is targeted because of their veteran status.
Opinion
It’s past time to unleash the defense commissaries
Releasing defense commissaries from government control could give service members and their families more options and save the federal government money.
By Elaine McCusker
Biden taps State Department official to lead Pentagon policy shop
Chollet faces confirmation difficulties, as Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville has placed holds on Pentagon nominees over the department's abortion policy.
By Zamone Perez
Gonna need a bigger boat: what the Navy does when whales go rogue
While there has indeed been an uptick in Orca interference near Spanish and Portugese waters, they are exceedingly rare.
By Sarah Sicard
She was the first woman to lead an aircraft carrier. Who is next?
Navy officials have said there are no women in the aircraft carrier commanding officer pipeline.
By Diana Stancy
Navy, Marines set to launch second iteration of Large Scale Exercise
In all, the exercise will use nine maritime operations centers and six carrier strike groups across seven U.S. fleets.
By Diana Stancy
UFO sightings linked to military training locations, report finds
The presence of a military operations area was a “consistent predictor of people reporting UAPs.”
By Zamone Perez
VA to review link between military toxin and additional cancers
Three new cancers could be added to the list of presumptive conditions for VA disability benefits.
DOJ tells Texas to stop messin’ with military spouse job licenses
This Air Force wife's lawsuit is believed to be the first challenging a state's denial of these new employment protections.
By Karen Jowers
Graphic novel tells story of Vietnam pilot who flew into enemy fire
Maj. Bruce Crandall helped save 70 wounded troops in Vietnam.
By Sarah Sicard