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Trump administration releases first tranche of ‘never-before-seen’ UFO files
“With these new Documents and Videos, the people can decide for themselves, ‘WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?’” Trump wrote, adding, “Have Fun and Enjoy!"
US and Iran exchange fire as Trump says war will ‘be over quickly’
U.S. forces launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian military facilities Thursday after Iran fired missiles and drones at three U.S. Navy vessels.
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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.
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.
Naples naval installation verifies presence of radon in buildings
The service is now confirming the results of a radon detection test it rejected nearly three months ago.
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.
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MilTech
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.
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.
Commissaries reverse decision to charge for single-use bags
The decision came only one month after the bag fees went into effect.
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.
In other news
Coast Guard to stand up special forces command
The U.S. Coast Guard is standing up a new Special Missions Command to consolidate its elite maritime response forces.
VIDEOS
Navy looks to expand tech, autonomy for future fleet | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 5.5.26
The commander of the Naval Research Laboratory outlines goals for the fleet at Sea-Air-Space 2026. Plus, global defense spending updates for the year.
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Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
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.
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
Fort Bragg will get a new name by the end of the year
At Fort Bragg alone the cost to conduct the name-changing is estimated at $6.37 million.
By Rachael Riley
Navy ousts two commanding officers for loss of confidence
The CO of amphibious transport dock Mesa Verde, and CO of guided-missile destroyer Carney were relieved Wednesday.
By Diana Stancy
Advocates push for national veterans strategy to focus support efforts
They say more coordination is needed with Defense Department leaders to ensure troops can transition to military life smoothly.
New Ohio voter ID law also excludes state veterans’ IDs
The governor signed the bill into law "after it was rushed through a lame-duck session by the heavily gerrymandered legislature in December."
By Marty Schladen
Troops earn more than civilians but are more likely to go hungry
The data suggest things that researchers just don't understand at this point.
By Karen Jowers
Red Forman, cantankerous Navy vet of ‘That 70s Show,’ is back, dumbass
"That '90s Show" premieres on Netflix Jan. 19.
By Sarah Sicard
How a new law will help working military spouses
On this episode of The Spouse Angle podcast, two military spouses share the hassles and high costs of just trying to keep their jobs.
By Military Times staff
Navy officially stops booting and disciplining COVID vaccine refusers
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin rescinded the vaccine mandate earlier this month.
The West doubles down on aiding Ukraine with heavy weapons
Plans to send yet heavier equipment designed to win maneuver battles are expected to come to a head.
By Joe Gould