Top stories
Marines must update religious affiliation as service slashes list to 30 options
The Pentagon released an updated list of religious affiliations, cutting the options for service members' self-identification from more than 200 to 30.
Asbestos, mold and crumbling walls: The US military’s Pacific bases are falling apart
Mold, asbestos and crumbling walls are only some of the issues plaguing the U.S. military's Pacific bases, a government watchdog found.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Apply for Best for Vets: Trusted Brands
Military Times is now accepting submissions from companies that offer verifiable value to the military community through programs and benefits.
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.
EDITOR'S PICKS
MilTech
CMP approved to sell more than 100,000 surplus M14 rifles
Although it has been out of service for nearly 60 years, this will be the first time the historic rifle is sold as a surplus weapon.
Marine Corps to get ‘production-ready’ microwave drone swarm killer
The Marine Corps inked an $11 million contract for a vehicle-mounted weapon that can take down dozens of drones in a single zap.
Marine Corps hackathon announced for fall
The service is bringing artificial intelligence developers together in California to build tools that can be quickly refined or immediately moved into use.
Their military careers were cut short in combat. Now they’re fighting Congress for their full benefits.
Combat-injured veterans argue they shouldn’t be penalized after war injuries cut their careers short, but the cost could reach $78 billion.
In other news
Senator introduces bill to stop VA from recouping military separation pay from disabled vets
An Arizona senator introduced a bill that would prevent veterans from being surprised when the VA docks their disability payments to recoup separation pay.
VIDEOS
Could you make it through Denmark’s bootcamp for civilian conscripts?
Head inside a NATO ally’s program for turning draftees into troops in an intense training regimen intended to create citizen soldiers.
Featured Videos
TSA stops Alabama traveler for Civil War-era cannonballs in luggage
An Alabama traveler was stopped recently by TSA after checking luggage containing five Civil War-era cannonballs. Roll Tide.
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.”
By J.D. Simkins
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.
Don't miss
MORE STORIES
How long can military commissaries stay open if shutdown continues?
Commissary officials expect to be able to "sprint through Thanksgiving."
By Karen Jowers
Latest US strike on alleged drug-running boat kills 6, Hegseth says
It's the 10th strike on a vessel suspected of carrying drugs, with Hegseth blaming the Tren de Aragua gang for operating the vessel in the Caribbean.
Here’s the 2026 cost-of-living boost for veterans, military retirees
The Cost of Living Adjustment takes effect in January and is set based on the rate of inflation.
By Karen Jowers
Judge orders ‘immediate’ return of books removed from 5 DOD schools
The censored items included materials about slavery, Native American history, women’s history, LGBTQ history, and preventing sexual harassment and abuse.
By Karen Jowers
Netflix drops trailer for upcoming ‘Marines’ documentary
All four episodes are set to air on the service’s 250th birthday on Nov. 10.
He was awarded a Silver Star for a battle the US said never happened
On Aug. 11, 2025, 57 years after the battle, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced the recovery of James Henry Calfee from Lima Site 85.
By Richard Sisk
Troops and families: How has the shutdown affected you?
Military Times wants to hear about your experience during the federal government shutdown.
By Karen Jowers
Troops, families use credit card relief at commissaries amid shutdown
In the days since a 90-day, interest-free offer for Military Star card holders at commissaries was announced, use of the cards jumped about 14%.
By Karen Jowers
DOD decides against privatizing service members’ household goods moves
Instead of privatizing the process for moving troops' household goods, Hegseth directed defense officials Wednesday to improve the DOD's legacy program.
By Karen Jowers
Troops request assistance at ‘unprecedented’ rate as shutdown persists
Due to processing time, Congress would need to act to ensure military pay Monday or earlier in order to avoid troops' checks being delayed, DFAS confirmed.
By Karen Jowers