Top stories
USS Gerald R. Ford breaks record for longest post-Vietnam deployment
The world's largest aircraft carrier has been deployed for a historic 296 days after departing Naval Station Norfolk on June 24, 2025.
Amid focus on Strait of Hormuz, experts sound warning on Yemen’s Houthis and Red Sea
Foreign policy experts warn that the strait is not the only potential choke point that Iran and its proxies could leverage amid the war.
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Bill from vets in Congress would keep military roles open to women
The bill, which lacks Republican sponsors, is explicitly described as a response to the Pentagon review of women in ground combat roles.
US blockade halts ship traffic to Iranian ports, CENTCOM says
No ships entered or exited Iranian ports in the first 24 hours of a U.S. blockade involving more than 10,000 troops.
Pentagon’s women-in-combat review reassigned; deadline extended
A Pentagon-ordered review on the effectiveness of women in combat is now under new management, Military Times has learned.
US Navy should rely on allies to boost maritime industrial base, report says
As the Navy builds its presence in the Middle East, experts argue that the force should rely more on allies to improve the U.S. maritime industrial base.
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Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has the latest information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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Military History
100-year-old B-17 turret gunner knighted by France
Phillip “Bruce” Cook flew 35 missions as a ball turret gunner in a B-17 Flying Fortress, tasked with fighting for air supremacy over occupied Europe.
75th Ranger Regiment soldiers win sixth straight Best Ranger Competition
Soldiers from the 75th Ranger Regiment won the Army's Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Marines win top sniper competition
Two Marine snipers brought home the top prize at this year’s International Sniper Competition in a rare win for the Corps.
Vietnam veteran’s gravestone somber reminder of war’s toll
The gravestone is evidence that Vietnam veteran Eugene “Gene” Marion Simmers carried the burden of decades-long grief and trauma.
In other news
Opinion
If chaplains are ‘officers second,’ which staff corps officers are next?
Removing rank insignia from chaplains sets a precedent for treating staff officers differently than others, the author of this op-ed argues.
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.”
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.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
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China draws strategic lessons from US war with Iran | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 4.14.26
Monitoring from afar, one of the world’s top superpowers is watching the United States’ war in Iran from a strategic perspective. What are they learning?
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MORE STORIES
Air Force amends medical shaving guidelines to fit Hegseth’s standards
A Monday memo outlines new medical guidance for airmen and guardians shaving profiles ahead of the new year.
More troops may soon get access to expanded food options
Services will be testing programs that allow troops to use their common access cards outside of standard dining facilities.
By Karen Jowers
Security squadron commander relieved of duty after airmen fatalities
Lt. Col. Tyler Hiatt made the request for removal, stating that he was unable to execute the duties of the position.
Army soldier sentenced for murder of wife, a fellow soldier
Staff Sgt. John Gitau Mwangi pleaded guilty to the unpremeditated murder of Sgt. Esther N. Gitau at his Dec. 12 court-martial.
By Eve Sampson
Space Force unveils new themes for weapon systems to boost identity
The force has named satellites and ground systems after mythological creatures, ghosts and Norse pantheon, to name a few.
Lawmakers move to further restrict cellphones in DOD schools
Overall, cellphone use is not a systemic issue, says DODEA.
By Karen Jowers
Drill sergeants accused of sexual misconduct, abusing authority
Two drill sergeants are facing possible court-martial after Army investigators found evidence that they abused their authority over trainees.
By Eve Sampson
Troops will see an average 4.2% boost in 2026 housing allowance
Service members will see a 4.2% bump, on average, in their monthly Basic Allowance for Housing as of Jan. 1, defense officials announced Thursday.
By Karen Jowers
70 commissaries will offer customers doorstep delivery within a month
Here's the list of 70 commissaries that will have doorstep delivery service by Jan. 11.
By Karen Jowers
Army OB-GYN charged with secretly filming dozens at Fort Hood
Maj. Blaine McGraw has been charged with four counts and 61 specifications for allegedly secretly filming women during medical exams.
By Eve Sampson