Senate confirms Phelan as next Navy Secretary
The Navy's new top civilian leader has said the service is in desperate need of reform and innovation.
Pentagon & Congress
Top Trump officials accidentally shared war plans with media
Hegseth reportedly assured chat participants that “we are currently clean on OPSEC” despite the accidental inclusion of a journalist.
With FY2025 spending settled, lawmakers shift focus to FY2026 budget
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of March 24, 2025.
Child care, teaching positions safe from DOD civilian hiring freeze
Some key positions in military quality-of-life programs are exempt from the department's hiring freeze.
GOP leaders warn Trump not to abandon NATO post, Pacific buildup plans
Republican leaders are concerned about rumored plans to scale back American military involvement in Europe and Japan.
Shipyards, military clinics exempted from Pentagon hiring freeze
Advocates praised defense leaders for excluding shipyard workers and other key readiness jobs from a department-wide hiring freeze.
The P-51 Mustang and the man who won the World War II air war with it
It was thanks to former WWI pilot Tommy Hitchcock that the P-51 entered U.S service — and changed the skies over Europe forever.
VA leaders announce end to all transgender-related care for vets
Department leaders promised to continue to provide necessary care to transgender veterans even after the rule changes.
Meet Lt. Preston, one of the only PT crewmen to be awarded the MOH
Lt. Arthur Preston and his PT boat crews did whatever it took to save a downed Navy airman in the South Pacific.
DOD schools allowed to resume athletic events this weekend after pause
Sporting events had been postponed in response to President Trump's executive order restricting government-funded travel.
Military families face four key health care deadlines by March 31
Deadlines are looming for these health care-related tasks.
Judge orders return of dismissed probationary workers at VA, DOD
Thousands of federal employees could be reinstated to their government jobs following the ruling.
CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan vets group to step down later this spring
Allison Jaslow has served in the top role at IAVA for the last two years.
Democrats to focus on women, minorities in military personnel debates
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan said she'll push for better access to abortion services for troops despite slim chances of progress this year.
Key defense policy voice for Senate Democrats won’t seek reelection
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., serves on the armed services committee and was the first-ever woman to chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Military medical system unprepared for future conflict, experts say
Only about 10% of military general surgeons experience the patient volume and level of acute cases necessary to remain designated "combat ready."
GOP senators eye legislative guardrails as VA prepares mass job cuts
GOP Senate leaders said they are working with VA officials on ways to ensure that plans to cut 80,000 jobs don't dismantle department services.
