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House panel votes to reinstate non-Confederate base names and adopt ‘Department of War’
The House advanced a measure to return the names of nine U.S. military bases to those recommended by a congressional commission in 2023.
Military pay raises, changes to housing allowance included in House-passed $1.15 trillion defense budget
After controversial amendment votes, a House committee advanced a bill early Friday morning that would authorize the largest defense budget in history.
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The US needs drones, not Trump-class battleships, Democrats argue
Lawmakers struck down a Democratic measure Thursday that would've scrapped $1 billion in defense funding to begin work on the Trump-class battleship.
House advances measure to give troops a discount on gas
The proposal would authorize the defense secretary to offer a discount on fuel at military exchanges that's equivalent to the price of the federal gas tax.
Navy fires leadership trio of ship repair facility in Japan
The service did not specify the reason for the firings.
Navy eliminates regular performance, fitness reports for select paygrades
"Personnel in these paygrades have demonstrated a sustained history of superior performance ... that negate the requirement for annual periodic reporting."
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Veterans
Unemployment rate for veterans drops to 3.2%, women vets surge on jobs market
The improvement was bolstered by a strong showing from women veterans on the jobs market and came despite growing fears of AI-triggered layoffs.
Lawmakers move to require chaperones for ‘sensitive’ appointments in military health system
Under the provision, a trained third party would have to be present for exams conducted by obstetrician-gynecologists at military treatment facilities.
Pentagon must divulge cost of Iran war under House proposal
A measure advanced Friday would require the DoD to report on the total financial cost of operations in Iran, including damaged or destroyed U.S. property.
US forces board sanctioned tanker in Indian Ocean, Pentagon says
U.S. forces have intercepted multiple commercial and oil tankers in the Indian Ocean in recent months.
In other news
Pentagon balks at court order allowing HIV-positive persons to serve
The Pentagon is fighting a court ruling that lifted a ban on potential recruits with controlled HIV from joining the military.
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Game-changing new tech emerges for troops and commands | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 6.2.26
A box that makes drinkable water out of the air and hydrofoil drone tech have emerged at defense shows. Plus, an interview with a top executive at Lockheed.
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Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
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Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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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MORE STORIES
Controversial military personnel nominee faces Senate panel this week
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of May 5, 2025.
White House budget plan gives 4% boost for VA amid other agency cuts
VA would be one of only a few federal departments to see a funding increase under the president's $1.7 trillion budget plan.
Military families get another extension to ease Tricare West problems
But advocates question how much this move will help military families and medical providers.
By Karen Jowers