Top stories
Marines to field rifle-mounted smart scope to help counter drones
The tool is expected to get to troops in the coming months.
Lawmakers want details on plans to privatize military stores
Lawmakers are hoping to put the brakes on DOD plans to privatize retail programs.
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Pentagon & Congress
House advances $832 billion military budget plan for next fiscal year
Only a few Democrats broke ranks to support the House's spending plan for Defense Department operations in fiscal 2026.
How WWII brought about the normalization of tattoos
Finding an ink-free service member is infinitely more rare than the alternative, but that is a relatively new phenomenon.
Navy pledges almost $300 million for new housing on Guam
In May, an independent government watchdog released a report on subpar barracks conditions on Andersen Air Force Base.
Senate panel backs plans for $456 billion VA budget next year
The proposed appropriations package would push total VA spending about $400 billion for the first time.
In other news
VA’s #2 leader downplays political strife between Congress, department
Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence said his relationship with congressional Democrats is strong, despite public fighting.
What combat units and Little League teams have in common
Peel back the layers, and you’ll find more in common than you think — especially when it comes to the parents.
‘A new challenge’: Air Force vet becomes two-time living organ donor
Air Force veteran Lindsay Gutierrez is a two-time living organ donor after giving a kidney to a fellow veteran and part of her liver to another recipient.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
An ode to Dwight Schrute, The Office’s best squad leader
He'd rub people the wrong way in a real squad. But he'd also make sure you had water, ammo and a working red lens flashlight on the night of land nav.
Why Despicable Me’s Gru is just a warrant officer with better branding
If Gru wore a uniform, it wouldn’t have stars or stripes. It would have a coffee stain and rank that no one really understands.
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VIDEOS
VA Deputy Secretary Paul Lawrence: ‘Veterans issues are bipartisan’
Veterans Affairs second in command sees opportunity for compromise and cooperation between Democrats and administration leaders on VA issues.
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MORE STORIES
Food insecurity among military families unacceptable, advocates say
An estimated 325,000 military families are struggling with having enough food each week.
Spouses and vets are key to changing ‘broken’ narrative, experts say
Changing narratives around veterans and their military experience is key, according to advocacy groups.
By Karen Jowers
Congress presses VA for fixes to lingering suicide hotline outages
About 700 callers were unable to immediately connect with counselors because of crisis line outages over the past 12 months.
DOD looking for more companies to hire military spouses for program
The vast majority of spouses in the pilot program are getting job offers, but spouses are waiting for fellowships.
By Karen Jowers