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DoD, movers try to ease the heavy lift for troops moving this summer
A direct line for resolving troops' problems and better relationships with moving companies are among DoD's efforts.
Following an outbreak, lawmakers push to require flu vaccine for all service members in budget bill provision
After a recent flu outbreak sickened 284 trainees and killed one, lawmakers move to revert the flu vaccination policy to be required again for all.
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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.
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Veterans
VA uses hundreds of AI systems. Veterans may not know when they’re involved.
The VA’s recently released 2025 AI Inventory identifies 215 of those use cases as high-impact systems.
SOCOM is seeking a long-range kamikaze drone
Armed with loitering munitions, SOCOM MC-130J gunships and other aircraft would be able to hunt targets deep inside enemy lines.
Bipartisan bill would let service members sue US military for sexual assault
The bill is modeled after similar legislation that allows service members to file civil claims for medical malpractice at U.S. military hospitals.
Anthony Tata assumes oversight of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency
Families of missing service members from the Vietnam war are pushing for answers on budget cuts that have canceled MIA searches in Vietnam and Laos.
In other news
Is GPS reliance making troops less observant? Yearlong study aims to find out.
The study will use virtual reality simulations to track aspects of observation and recall in subjects with and without navigation aids.
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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GWOT Memorial group open to design changes | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 6.30.26
The president of the GWOT Memorial Foundation says he’s taking feedback on the installation’s design. Plus, foam drones and a throwable 360-degree camera.
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MORE STORIES
Danish military evacuates US submariner who needed urgent medical care off Greenland
The U.S. crew member was retrieved from the submarine about 8 miles off the coast of Nuuk, Greenland, by a Danish Seahawk helicopter.
By AP Staff
VA restores gun rights to some disabled veterans
The VA announced it will immediately stop reporting veterans to the FBI’s national background check database if they need a fiduciary for their finances.
By Patricia Kime
US to send more missile launchers to the Philippines despite China’s alarm
The addition of missile launchers comes as treaty allies condemned what they called China’s “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities.”
Sore throat? Tricare Prime now offers virtual option for urgent care
Nurses will decide whether the symptoms can be treated virtually, and set up the virtual appointments.
By Karen Jowers
Judge dismisses deportation case for Mexican father of 3 US Marines
The Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that it would appeal the judge’s decision.
Health care access a top complaint among troops, top enlisted leaders tell lawmakers
A Democratic senator also questioned whether the services are doing everything they can to increase child care slots.
By Karen Jowers
No evidence women in combat roles lower standards, top enlisted leaders say
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s call for a review of the effectiveness of women in combat roles prompted questions during a Senate Armed Services hearing.
By Karen Jowers
VA reorganization projected to cost at least $312 million
The reforms, known as the RISE initiative, are expected to begin this year with an aim to reduce the VHA’s administrative overhead, improve clinical care.
By Patricia Kime
Marine Corps continues streak as only service to pass financial audit
For its third consecutive year, the U.S. Marine Corps keeps its record as the first and only service to cleanly pass a financial audit.
Veteran suicide rate slightly increased, latest report finds
While the overall number of suicides went down in 2023, due to the overall veteran population declining, the rate of veteran suicide increased.
By Patricia Kime