Top stories
Lawmakers aim to ease state-to-state moves for military homeschoolers
The Republican proposal would exempt military families from conflicting state laws on homeschooling, as long as they remain in compliance with one state.
Navy ‘in a fight for the narrative’: Hung Cao presses service to unify public messaging
The secretary of the Navy’s announcement comes as tensions mount between U.S. media and the second Trump administration.
Latest
As tick threat grows, Navy lab investigates ‘gummy bear’ bug repellent
A new bug repellent solution that was developed at the Naval Research Laboratory is awaiting investment.
Navy to reevaluate religious accommodations for facial hair
The DoD released a memorandum in March calling for service members to provide proof of their religious beliefs to qualify for facial hair waivers.
Senate committee backs Department of War name change
The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the Department of War rebrand in their version of the fiscal 2027 NDAA, moving the name closer to law.
First look at the Global War on Terrorism Memorial design in Washington
If the design is approved, the foundation is aiming for a 2027 groundbreaking and a project completion date of late 2028.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Pentagon & Congress
Fair winds, INDOPACOM: Pentagon returns command name to US Pacific Command
U.S. Pacific Command was the formation's official name until 2018, when it was changed to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Opinion
Not just a ‘flawed design’: Charting a new course for the GWOT Memorial
A GWOT Memorial Foundation founder argues in this op-ed that concerns over the proposed memorial extend beyond design and into organizational priorities.
Navy officer, 67, becomes oldest on record to earn Fleet Marine Force pin
Watching his son graduate as a U.S. Navy officer inspired Westerberg in 2022 — at the age of 64 — to also pursue a commission in the sea service.
US won’t soften military posture in Middle East despite Iran agreement
Nearly 50,000 U.S. troops are positioned across the region, according to Adm. Brad Cooper, head of Central Command.
In other news
F/A-18 Hornet crashes in Washington state, wildfire subsequently reported
The pilot ejected and was taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
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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
Iran, US agree to halt war and reopen Hormuz
The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland.
By Parisa Hafezi, Yomna Ehab and Humeyra Pamuk, Reuters
Navy to commission tech leaders as officers for Navy Innovation Unit
The service is recruiting innovative civilians to solve modernization problems.
By Riley Ceder
Only 1 in 4 F-35s is fully mission capable, GAO finds
The F-35’s readiness rates continued to decline through fiscal 2025, with the fleet’s full mission capable rate falling to 25%, according to a GAO report.
As tick threat grows, Navy lab investigates ‘gummy bear’ bug repellent
A new bug repellent solution that was developed at the Naval Research Laboratory is awaiting investment.
By Hope Hodge Seck
‘Sounds like a mutiny’: Secret recording exposes claims of toxic leadership after a Marine’s suicide
A War Horse investigation points to systemic failures before and after the death of Cpl. Drew Mobley, whose suicide was the unit's third in two years.
By Rachel Fobar, The War Horse
Navy to reevaluate religious accommodations for facial hair
The DoD released a memorandum in March calling for service members to provide proof of their religious beliefs to qualify for facial hair waivers.
By Riley Ceder
US plans major cut to jets, warships for NATO operations in Europe, NYT reports
The United States reportedly plans to significantly reduce the aircraft and warships it makes available for NATO operations in Europe.
By Reuters
Senate committee backs Department of War name change
The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the Department of War rebrand in their version of the fiscal 2027 NDAA, moving the name closer to law.
Trump vows to seize Iran’s Kharg Island
Kharg Island, the linchpin of Iran’s oil industry, has once more come under focus amid a fraying ceasefire.
By Tanya Noury
Air Force cites DEI ban in cancellation of wreath-laying honoring women vets
An Air Force spokesperson acknowledged that the service “declined participation in compliance with Executive Orders … and DoW guidance.”
By Hope Hodge Seck