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They served through America’s post-9/11 wars. 25 years later, what did that service mean?
Nearly 3 million Americans served in the wars that followed Sept. 11. Three veterans reflect in The War Horse about what they saw, lost and still carry.
Defense startup’s AI aims to make every munition count
Smack Technologies' CEO said its AI modeling tool will help commanders decide not just which targets to strike, but how to sequence strikes over time.
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Pentagon & Congress
VA to mark 9/11 anniversary with volunteer opportunities at national cemeteries
The VA will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks by hosting volunteer events on Saturday, Sept. 12, at more than 144 locations.
Pentagon codifies fitness standards across branches
The new regulations spell out testing timelines, standards for troops in combat arms specialties and guidelines for pregnancy and postpartum fitness.
Iran and US hit tankers in biggest wave of attacks on shipping since war began
Recent attacks by the U.S. and Iran have shattered a month of relative calm, with both hitting military, shipping and energy assets.
White House reviews candidates to replace Hegseth deputy, sources say
The White House has reviewed candidates to potentially replace Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg, Reuters reports.
In other news
Pentagon wants to use AI-generated ‘personalities’ for decoy cellphones
The DoD wants to wield AI-generated "personalities" to mimic real people and fool enemy AI.
VIDEOS
Marines to add thousands to ranks in coming years | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 9.8.26
The Marine Corps seeks to swell its ranks in the next five years. Plus, the Army museum remembers Sept. 11 and those who responded.
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.
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MORE STORIES
Pentagon expands hormone screening guidance to include female service members
The DHA established a hormone-screening pathway for female service members, directing providers to screen women annually for hormonal dysregulation.
US Marine Corps plans to use 3D scanners to detect cracked body armor
The U.S. Marine Corps is looking to acquire high-resolution 3D scanners to detect cracked body armor.
By Michael Peck
Iran war escalation raises concern over civilian death toll
The recent escalation of the Iran war has cast renewed attention on its civilian toll after Iran reported four killed and dozens wounded at a wedding.
By Menna AlaaElDin and Kanishka Singh, Reuters
VA said electronic health record modernization would cost $10 billion — now it’s $48 billion
The Department of Veterans Affairs is nearly tripling the ceiling on its contract with Oracle to modernize the agency’s electronic health record system.
Navy corpsman found dead near South Carolina riverbanks
Yu Wei Huo, 33, was last seen days earlier, and officials asked the public for help locating him, expressing "concern for his safety and well-being.”
By Eve Sampson
Marine Corps to add 6,500 billets in force expansion
The additional Marines will be spread across 64 initiatives, which include reinforcing the Pacific fleet and creating new infantry battalions.
By Eve Sampson
Navy looks to fast-track Camp Pendleton barracks project
The Navy put out a fast-track solicitation for 10 new on-base housing facilities at Camp Pendleton, California.
By Michael Peck
After 286 days at sea, USS Abraham Lincoln arrives in Thailand
The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in Thailand on Wednesday morning after more than 200 days at sea.
By Thomas Suen and Chalinee Thirasupa, Reuters
House passes funding bill to avert government shutdown
The House overwhelmingly approved legislation Tuesday to prevent a government shutdown and keep federal agencies operating beyond Oct. 1.
By Richard Cowan, Reuters
US launches new barrage of strikes on Iran around Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. launched new air strikes on Iranian targets Tuesday following attempted attacks by the IRGC against American troops deployed to the region.
By Jasper Ward and Parisa Hafezi, Reuters
Newly minted Marine officer makes Steelers’ 53-man roster
The seventh-round pick and Pittsburgh native Eli Heidenreich was included in the Steelers’ initial 53-man roster Sunday.
Pentagon still failing to secure health records of top officials, audit finds
The Pentagon is still failing to safeguard the electronic health records of top government officials, the DoD Inspector General found.
By Michael Peck
Where the Pentagon can’t go, a small nonprofit searches for America’s war dead
One nonprofit is working to help the U.S. military recover its war dead as the Pentagon's budget for that mission shrinks, The War Horse reports.
By Ken McLaughlin, The War Horse
The military’s ChatGPT is now live via the Pentagon’s GenAI platform
The DoD on Monday launched OpenAI’s ChatGPT Mil on GenAI.mil, making the chatbot available for work involving controlled unclassified information.
Trial for accused mastermind of 9/11 attacks set for June 2028
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the accused mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, and three co-defendants are slated for a trial before a military tribunal in June 2028.
By Steve Gorman, Reuters
USS Abraham Lincoln’s visit to Thailand lifts hope and sex-tourism risk
The USS Abraham Lincoln will visit Thailand this week. Thai officials are anticipating an economic boost but warning of sexual exploitation risks.
By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng, Reuters