Commentary

Opinions on war, Pentagon policy, pay and benefits, deployments, uniforms, weapons and more.

A Marine catches the sunrise before flight operations aboard the Wasp-class amphibious ship USS Essex, March 27, 2018.

Has loneliness become a national security issue?

Recent revelations about the prevalence of mental health issues in America present challenges, including questioning how security clearances are vetted.

4 days ago

Members of the Armed Services Arts Partnership comedy bootcamp class pose for a photo at their graduation showcase at the DC Improv on May 3, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

How stand-up comedy can heal the military-connected community

Stand-up comedy can help connect vets to other vets and bridge the divide between military and civilian populations.

5 days ago

Commentary

At the heart of Memorial Day, an appreciation of duty to one’s country

Memorial Day is a powerful time to reflect on a question essential to citizenship: What is duty to country, and how is it relevant to our lives today?

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., joined at far left by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., holds an event to mark 100 days of the Republican majority in the House, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, April 17, 2023.

GOP lawmakers: our budget-cutting plan doesn’t harm veterans

Two GOP lawmakers say the House Speaker's proposed budget cuts won't touch federal spending on veterans.

3 weeks ago

What Congress Is Doing About Military Families’ Top Lifestyle Concerns

A Republican-led panel tackles military quality of life, like high housing costs not covered by the troops' basic allowance.

4 weeks ago

Marines slam a shrinking amphibious fleet, but the Navy isn’t to blame

The genesis of an amphibious lift shortfall is the Corps’ abandonment of its long-standing requirement for a larger fleet of 38 ships, this Marine says.

4 weeks ago

Two soldiers stand guard February 25, 2002 at the main gate of Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland, where the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infections Diseases is located.

Did a military lab spill anthrax into public waterways? New book reveals details of a US leak.

“Pandora’s Gamble” describes how wastewater potentially containing anthrax, Ebola, and other deadly pathogens spilled from an Army facility in 2018.

4 weeks ago

How the US government can combat Russian disinformation on Ukraine

U.S. support could go a long way toward helping Balkan countries in their attempts to remain autonomous from Russia.

5 weeks ago

The Twelve Million Plus kid-friendly community space provides verified active,
veteran, and reserve/national guard spouses a place to connect, co-work, and upskill.

Meet 12M+, the new community app for military spouses

On this episode of The Spouse Angle, there’s a new digital space exclusively for verified military spouses to gather and connect.

5 weeks ago

Karl, Luke and Jack with Kevin Schmiegel in December 2012 in Manchester, U.K.

What’s great about being military kids, from two Marine dads

Two retired Marines recognize the sacrifices their children made while they were serving to mark the Month of the Military Child.

5 weeks ago

Soldiers lead a Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month Ruck March April 29, 2022, in Sparta, Wis.

A letter to the NCOs who saved my life

An Army sergeant writes to the noncommissioned officers who offered protection and comfort after a military sexual trauma.

6 weeks ago

Proposed GOP cuts would slash $30 billion from veterans spending

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has unveiled sweeping proposed budget cuts in a bargain with the Biden administration over raising the nation’s debt limit.

6 weeks ago

A student's name is written on a desk as a teacher sets up her classroom as teachers begin to prepare to restart school on August 13, 2020 in Provo, Utah.

What research shows about special education services for military kids

Two moms discuss results from a new survey of military families whose children need special education services on this episode of The Spouse Angle podcast.

6 weeks ago