Pentagon stages first ‘Top Drone’ school for operators to hone skills
Industry and military drone operators flew tethered and untethered first-person drones through a course designed to test endurance and maneuverability.
Pentagon & Congress
Pick to lead VA benefits work faces criticism over reform proposals
Several Democratic lawmakers argued nominee Karen Brazell’s non-answers about the potential for benefits eligibility changes should be disqualifying.
Veterans volunteer longer, vote more often than civilian peers: report
Fewer veterans are donating their free time to charities today then they did four years ago, but their involvement remains strong.
House passes $893 billion defense policy bill with war powers repeal
Only a handful of Democrats supported the defense authorization bill plan, because of social issue fights included in the measure.
Dem senator to oppose military honors for Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt
Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran, has expressed disgust at plans to honor participants in the Jan. 6 insurrection attempt.
Senator encouraged Trump to ‘blow up something’ in message to cartels
The strike on a suspected Venezuelan drug-smuggling boat is raising questions about how far Trump will wield his presidential power over the military.
US military notified Trump before Israeli strike on Hamas in Doha
Israel launched a strike targeting Hamas’ leadership in Qatar’s capital Tuesday as they considered a U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Advocates lobby for new approaches to preventing veteran suicides
The Veteran Alliance for Legislative Outreach and Reform wants more research into psychedelic-assisted therapy and other unconventional treatments.
Hegseth visits Puerto Rico as US boosts Caribbean military operations
The visit comes more than a week after ships carrying hundreds of U.S. Marines deployed to Puerto Rico for a training exercise.
Republican lawmakers eager for Trump to expand military use on US soil
As Trump has dramatically stepped up his use of military force for his policy goals, fellow Republicans in Congress have done little but cheer him on.
House, Senate leaders look to speed up NDAA work this week
Lawmakers return to Capitol Hill this week with the annual defense authorization bill atop their agendas.
Trump order aims to rebrand Defense Department as Department of War
The order comes as some of President Trump's closest supporters on Capitol Hill proposed legislation that would codify the new name into law.
Troops will be drug tested for psychedelic mushroom use, Pentagon says
Psilocin will be added to drug testing panels for service members as of Oct. 1, according to a Pentagon memo.
Georgia to send National Guard troops to DC
Gov. Brian Kemp said he will mobilize roughly 300 troops to take part in Trump’s D.C. operation to relieve soldiers from elsewhere who deployed earlier.
Pentagon-funded research aided Chinese military, House GOP report says
U.S. technological know-how is being diverted to modernize China's military, warns the report by House Republicans on the Select Committee on China.
Trump will seek ‘Department of War’ rebrand for Pentagon
President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War.
DC sues Trump administration over National Guard deployment
The attorney general for the District of Columbia says the nation’s capital is suing the Trump administration for deploying the National Guard in the city.
