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Up to 1,000 transgender troops being separated under new Pentagon memo
Active duty troops have until June 6 to voluntarily identify themselves to the department, and troops in the National Guard and Reserve have until July 7.
Night vision goggles, weather likely factors in Marine helo crash
The CH-53 Super Stallion crashed Feb. 6, 2024, during a night flight when it hit a mountain near Pine Valley, California, killing all five Marines aboard.
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Veterans
Breaking down Trump’s executive order mandating multiple VA reforms
The president signed an executive order Friday calling for several sweeping changes in VA operations and construction goals.
How a soldier’s relentless charge broke Japan’s line on Okinawa
The enemy positions that Pfc. Clarence Craft took out one by one added up to victory on Hen Hill.
Hegseth bans affirmative action at military service academies
Hegseth directed schools to rank applicants by an aggregate score factoring in athletic ability and past military experience, among other qualifications.
Pentagon orders military to pull all library books on diversity
It is the broadest and most detailed directive so far on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s campaign to rid the military of DEI policies and materials.
In other news
Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard outline FY26 budget needs this week
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of May 12, 2025.
This sailor requested leave to get his wife pregnant. It was approved.
“My wife is planning on getting pregnant this weekend,” the 1967 liberty request read, “and I would sure like to be there when it happens.”
What surviving an IED taught me about being a stand-up comedian
An Army veteran-turned-stand-up comedian discusses the importance of laughter in the wake of trauma.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
Life of pie: Soldier charged with loan fraud in bakery boondoggle
The soldier has been charged for allegedly using a fraudulent pie business called “Granny’s Delight” to obtain COVID-related business relief loans.
Marine lights candles for romantic hotel surprise, sets room on fire
Update the safety brief.
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MORE STORIES
Felon hid dead uncle in trash can to keep stealing his vets benefits
A Missouri man has been charged with fraud and theft for concealing the death of his veteran uncle to continue collecting his disability checks.
Up to 1,000 transgender troops being separated under new Pentagon memo
Active duty troops have until June 6 to voluntarily identify themselves to the department, and troops in the National Guard and Reserve have until July 7.
By Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press
Judge awards $680K to Hawaii military families over fuel-tainted water
The cases set the legal tone for thousands more military families and civilians suing over a 2021 jet fuel leak into a Navy drinking water system on Oahu.
Army medic receives award for fending off shooter, saving life
Army Sgt. Brian Lieberman intervened during an active shooter environment, shielding an injured civilian from gunfire.
By Riley Ceder
Babysitter sentenced for baby’s death in Hawaii military housing
Dixie Denise Villa's sentencing comes more than six years after Abigail Lobisch died from an overdose in Villa's unlicensed daycare in Hawaii.
By Karen Jowers
Europe marks 80th anniversary of World War II’s end
This V-E Day marks the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany's surrender to Allied forces.
VA’s online legacy project adds names of 210,000 vets lost overseas
The expansion of the veterans online memorial includes the names of almost 93,000 veterans killed overseas during World War II.
Trump proclaims Thursday as day for US to celebrate victory in WWII
Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday designating May 8, 2025, as a “day in celebration of Victory Day for World War II.” It is not a federal holiday.
DOD educator unions sue Trump over collective bargaining rights
Unions representing DOD educators are challenging President Trump's executive order excluding federal workers from collective bargaining.
By Karen Jowers
Night vision goggles, weather likely factors in Marine helo crash
The CH-53 Super Stallion crashed Feb. 6, 2024, during a night flight when it hit a mountain near Pine Valley, California, killing all five Marines aboard.
By Tara Copp, AP
DOD should fix parent notifications about alleged child abuse, IG says
DOD rules don't go far enough to ensure parents are aware of the specifics of allegations involving their children, the Inspector General found.
By Karen Jowers
Trump picks senior VA advisor to serve as top department watchdog
Cheryl Mason's shift from administration insider to department watchdog elicited concerns about her ability to be an independent voice on VA operations.
Jet landing on USS Truman goes overboard, forcing pilots to eject
The incident, in which the pilots were safely recovered, marks the third time since December that an F/A-18 assigned to the carrier Truman has been lost.
By Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press
Ill-fated Gaza pier mission lacked sufficient training, equipment: IG
The Defense Department's Gaza pier mission resulted in 62 personnel being injured and at least $31 million in damages, federal investigators found.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Special operators want electronic attack and firepower for watercraft
Officials want kinetic and nonkinetic weapons for a variety of vessels.
By Todd South