Opinion

Editorials, guest commentaries, Medals and Misfires. Active-duty, reserve, Guard, veterans, Capitol Hill and the Pentagon.

Voting rights activists hold signs near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on January 19, 2022.

Passing Electoral Count Act reforms is vital to national security

Nine senior former defense officials and military leaders warn about national security threats America faces due to weaknesses in the Electoral Count Act.

4 days ago

‘Made in China’ exclusion policy at exchanges would hurt families

An amendment in the fiscal 2023 defense policy bill would prohibit military exchanges and commissaries from selling items that were made in China.

8 days ago

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough visited the Veterans Row encampment in Los Angeles in 2021.

Commentary

Drop in veteran homelessness proves we can end homelessness

New data shows that veteran homelessness in the U.S. has decreased by 11% since 2020, the last year for which we have complete data.

At VA, we stand tall to hurricanes Fiona and Ian

"Thanks to preparation and quick response, most of VA’s clinics remained online or were fully operational within a day or two."

3 weeks ago

We need to increase research into psychedelics for veterans with PTSD

In the past few years, new treatment options have emerged from the often-stigmatized source of psychedelics.

3 weeks ago

Marine Talent Management 2030: Flawed foundation, flawed document

Pages 1–3 are the introduction to Talent Management 2030 — its foundation — and they are replete with flaws, this retired Marine colonel claims.

4 weeks ago

Department of Defense civilians and active duty service members attend a Traumatic Brain Injury Open House event March 20, 2014, at Tripler Army Medical Center located in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Outrage over NFL brain injuries; silence over military brain injuries

The NFL is doing the right thing on concussions. The Department of Defense lacks the urgency and a similar aggressive approach.

5 weeks ago

A student draws on a piece of paper during the second to last day of school as New York City public schools prepare to wrap up the 2021/2022 school year on June 24, 2022 in New York City.

What we can do to ensure a quality education for military children

Military leaders have repeatedly raised concerns about the quality of K-12 public schools around military installations.

5 weeks ago

The unintended consequences of aging the Marine Corps

A young force is not only more flexible and less costly, it is best suited for the expeditionary nature of the Marine Corps, this retired Marine writes.

5 weeks ago

The unintended consequences of Marine Corps Talent Management 2030

America’s special trust and confidence in her Marines will be shattered if the Corps’ customs, traditions and ethos are lost.

6 weeks ago

An airman loads chaff and flare countermeasure mods on a trailer at Ali Al Salem Air Force Base, Kuwait, Jan. 26, 2022.

Cannibalizing the arsenal of democracy in turbulent times

The Pentagon should consider cutting back on research and development funding and ramping up procurement to protect the arsenal of democracy.

6 weeks ago

Legal loophole: Some contracts skirt protections for service members

Special protections afforded to service members are being undermined by a legal trap buried in the fine print of contracts and click-through agreements.

7 weeks ago