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Devil Dogs to follow slimmer waist-to-height standard than other branches
The U.S. Marine Corps has gone further in its waist-to-height ratio than the Department of Defense’s standards, making the new criteria 0.52 or less.
US military uses laser to take down CBP drone, lawmakers say
The case of mistaken identity prompted the FAA to close additional airspace around Fort Hancock, about 50 miles southeast of El Paso.
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Anthropic ‘cannot in good conscience accede’ to Pentagon’s demands, CEO says
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said Thursday the AI company “cannot in good conscience accede” to the Pentagon’s demands to allow wider use of its technology.
US military assembles largest force of warships, aircraft in Middle East in decades
The U.S. Navy will have at least 16 ships in the region, dwarfing the 11-ship fleet that was, until the Ford’s departure, positioned in the Caribbean Sea.
What to know about Defense Protection Act and the Pentagon’s Anthropic ultimatum
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei repeatedly has made clear his ethical concerns about unchecked government use of AI.
US soldiers earn French medal for 2023 Iraq rescue
In 2023, French special operations troops came under attack from ISIS fighters near Hawija, Iraq. Guardsmen boarded a CH-47 and sped off towards the fight.
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West Point cadet booted from Army after using AI to create nude image of woman
Cayden Cork, 20, pleaded guilty to charges tied to the manipulated image and his extortion attempt, according to the Army.
The good, the bad and the ugly — Inside Europe’s race to supplant US defense enablers
Defending Europe against a Russian attack without U.S. help will stay tricky for the foreseeable future, as some areas are progressing faster than others.
SOCOM on the hunt for ‘acoustic rainbow’ tech for silencing drones
“Acoustic rainbows” sound psychedelic. But the idea is no acid trip: By dispersing sound waves, noisy objects can actually be made silent.
Nine sailors arrested in connection with 2025 violent assault
The May 2025 assault took place at a house party in Jamul, San Diego, during which a victim alleges they were pistol whipped and attacked by a group.
In other news
Army orders $186 million in Switchblade kamikaze drones, tank killers
The autonomous systems manufacturer announced today that it will provide two types of its Switchblade family of loitering munitions to the Army.
How MREs inspired today’s meal-delivery industry
The MRE has to survive heat, cold, impact and time. And it has to do all of that at scale. Sound familiar?
The military’s complicated history with tobacco
Anyone who has served knows the smoke pit has not vanished.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
Woo your significant other this Valentine’s Day with the help of some WWII acronyms
Let your partner know how you really feel with acronyms such as MALAYA: My Ardent Lips Await Your Arrival.
Why every day can feel like ‘Groundhog Day’ in the military
For troops, "Groundhog Day" captures something they immediately recognize: days repeat, routines harden and progress feels frozen.
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Leaders look to new methods to retain Navy talent | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 2.24.26
Updated promotion avenues, flexibility in duty station choices and less time at sea are all on the table as the Navy looks to keep good sailors in uniform.
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Nine sailors arrested in connection with 2025 violent assault
The May 2025 assault took place at a house party in Jamul, San Diego, during which a victim alleges they were pistol whipped and attacked by a group.
By Riley Ceder
Army orders $186 million in Switchblade kamikaze drones, tank killers
The autonomous systems manufacturer announced today that it will provide two types of its Switchblade family of loitering munitions to the Army.
By Zita Ballinger Fletcher
What to know about Defense Protection Act and the Pentagon’s Anthropic ultimatum
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei repeatedly has made clear his ethical concerns about unchecked government use of AI.
Former US Air Force pilot charged with unauthorized Chinese military training
Gerald Eddie Brown Jr. was arrested and charged Wednesday for providing unauthorized defense services to Chinese pilots.
US soldiers earn French medal for 2023 Iraq rescue
In 2023, French special operations troops came under attack from ISIS fighters near Hawija, Iraq. Guardsmen boarded a CH-47 and sped off towards the fight.
By Eve Sampson
VA to formally rescind controversial disability ratings rule
A policy requiring VA medical examiners to include effects of medication in assigning disability ratings is expected to be formally rescinded on Feb. 27.
By Patricia Kime
Instead of setting bonuses, the Army will make some warrant officers bid for them
Eligible warrant officers will submit confidential bids for how much money it would take to keep them on active duty for an additional six years.
By Eve Sampson
Lucky 13: A last-minute swap saved this airman’s life during WWII bombing run
Navigator Ed Ryan set off on his 13th bombing run on Friday the 13th, 1944. It would be his last.
New hypersonic missiles unveiled for fighter planes, ground systems
The medium-range hypersonic system is powered by a liquid rocket engine, is able to alter its speed in flight and can be adapted for use.
By Zita Ballinger Fletcher