Top stories
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.
Latest
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.
US military eyes high-energy ‘laser dome’ for domestic air defense
The U.S. military's pursuit of high-energy laser weapons for American air defense comes amid the expanding threat of low-cost weaponized drones.
US blockade of Iran will be major military endeavor, experts say
The U.S. military has not offered basic details yet about the blockade, including how many U.S. warships will enforce it.
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Your Military
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.
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.
Opinion
The Strait of Hormuz offers a lesson in air denial
"By that measure, the United States does not have air superiority where it counts," write analysts Max Bremer and Kelly Grieco.
In other news
Opinion
The military’s fabled ‘human in the loop’ for AI is dangerously misleading
A “human in the loop” whose sole function is to approve a machine’s actions is not a safeguard but a design failure, argues Mikey Dickerson.
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
Sore throat? Tricare Prime now offers virtual option for urgent care
Nurses will decide whether the symptoms can be treated virtually, and set up the virtual appointments.
By Karen Jowers
Judge dismisses deportation case for Mexican father of 3 US Marines
The Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that it would appeal the judge’s decision.
Health care access a top complaint among troops, top enlisted leaders tell lawmakers
A Democratic senator also questioned whether the services are doing everything they can to increase child care slots.
By Karen Jowers
No evidence women in combat roles lower standards, top enlisted leaders say
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s call for a review of the effectiveness of women in combat roles prompted questions during a Senate Armed Services hearing.
By Karen Jowers
VA reorganization projected to cost at least $312 million
The reforms, known as the RISE initiative, are expected to begin this year with an aim to reduce the VHA’s administrative overhead, improve clinical care.
By Patricia Kime
‘It just blows your lungs out of your mouth’: A history of thermobaric weaponry
Palestinian officials have recently accused Israel of using American-made thermobaric weaponry in Gaza.
Marine Corps continues streak as only service to pass financial audit
For its third consecutive year, the U.S. Marine Corps keeps its record as the first and only service to cleanly pass a financial audit.
Beer and wine at chow halls of the future? Commanders will decide.
With the first campus-style dining pilot opening this month, soldiers may now have the option to order beer and wine at some chow halls.
By Karen Jowers
Fort Hood soldiers to get ‘freedom dollars’ with first campus-style dining facility
Soldiers are slated to get a daily stipend of $39, or "freedom dollars," to use at campus-style DFACs.
By Karen Jowers
Research on problem gambling included in defense funding law
Under a new Department of Defense program, gambling addiction is now a topic of research.
By Patricia Kime