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US service member killed in northern Iraq, US Central Command says
A U.S. service member was killed on Saturday “during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance” in northern Iraq, CENTCOM confirmed.
2 US troops killed, 1 missing after Iranian missile, drone attack in Jordan
Two U.S. service members were killed in action on Friday in an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack on U.S. and partner forces in Jordan.
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New AI tool helps Afghan allies at risk find visa pathways
The veteran-led organization AfghanEvac hopes a new AI-powered tool will benefit from the extensive data it’s gathered about the tortuous visa process.
Military spouses can find jobs. Keeping careers is the hard part.
Unemployment among active-duty spouses actively seeking work climbed to 29.9% in 2025, up from 21.8% in 2023.
Hegseth ordered a new study of women in combat. Critics say it’s built to reach one conclusion.
Researchers who spoke with The War Horse said a new study makes sense if at least some anecdotal evidence found problems in mixed-gender combat units.
The new military family: staying together while living apart
The DoD does not recognize “geo-bachelor” as an official personnel status or maintain department-wide data on how many families live this way.
In other news
230 troops discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccine have rejoined, Pentagon says
Roughly 2.7% of the thousands who left the service over the vaccine mandate have rejoined and another 7% have expressed interest in returning.
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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Are changes coming to veterans’ benefits? | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 7.21.26
A leader at the center of Congress’ efforts to revamp some veterans’ benefits weighs in on the changes. Plus, testosterone tests for troops.
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Top House Democrat calls to split veterans omnibus, advance Major Richard Star Act
If Congress cannot reach agreement on the omnibus, lawmakers may face a choice: continue negotiating a single package or advance one bill at a time.
By Natalie Oliverio
Forged by the T: Pentagon launches testosterone screening program for troops
DoD will begin screening and offering TRT for troops with testosterone deficiency to ensure they maintain a “biological foundation" to fight, Hegseth said.
By Eve Sampson
US launches new round of strikes against Iran
The U.S. conducted a new wave of strikes against Iranian military sites on Wednesday after reimposing a naval blockade of the Islamic Republic's ports.
By Enas Alashray and Tala Ramadan, Reuters
Move over, ASVAB? Marines seek better way to predict troop success
“Is the ASVAB … score the only indicator of success? We say it’s not,” Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz said.
By Hope Hodge Seck
The US military measures readiness. What about adaptability?
Many of the qualities defense experts say will matter most in future wars are difficult to define and even harder to quantify.
By Natalie Oliverio
Nearly 12,000 military Tricare beneficiaries warned of data breach
TriWest officials notified 11,844 beneficiaries of a data breach that may have affected their protected health information.
By Karen Jowers
German-American veteran of the Battle of the Bulge dies at 100
Col. Frank Cohn, a veteran of the Second World War, Korea and Vietnam, died on July 4 at the age of 100.
US recovery teams begin new search in China for remains of MIAs amid looming budget cuts
Recovery teams from the DPAA traveled over the weekend to China to renew searches for the remains of MIAs ahead of projected budget cuts.
By Richard Sisk
US creates task force to prosecute leaks to news media, Hegseth says
The Justice Department and Pentagon created a joint task force to identify and prosecute leaks to news media.
US industrial base is becoming stronger for wartime production, study finds
As recent conflicts consume weapons at a ferocious rate, America’s defense industrial base is becoming more prepared to sustain a major war.
By Michael Peck
Retired Army officer tapped to lead military commissary system
Retired Army officer Bill Fitzhugh will take over leadership of the military's 235 grocery stores worldwide.
By Karen Jowers
US Marines successfully test-fire new medium-range air defense system
U.S. Marines on Guam successfully fired the service's new Medium-Range Intercept Capability system during Exercise Valiant Shield.
US transfers retired Marine Corps AAVs to allies defending Black Sea region
Retired U.S. Marine Corps AAVs will go to allied nations in defense of the Black Sea region.
By Eve Sampson
The Indiana forest that keeps the USS Constitution afloat
The USS Constitution is a symbol of durability and strength, and its longevity is thanks to a special 40 acres of land from Naval Support Activity Crane.
This US soldier tried to cover a retreat in Vietnam — and instead compelled the enemy to
Leonard Alvarado enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1968 and ultimately gave his life to save his platoon.
By Jon Guttman
Pentagon to explore cheaper replacements for the MQ-9 Reaper
The Massed Modular Aircraft project aims to develop a drone that can operate in such large numbers that it can absorb losses and still overwhelm defenses.
By Michael Peck