J.D. Simkins
Executive Editor
J.D. Simkins is the executive editor of Military Times and Defense News, and a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.
All Stories By J.D.
First look at ‘Warfare’ brings viewers into tenacity of Iraq War
'Warfare' is co-directed by Ray Mendoza, a Silver Star recipient who recently worked with director Alex Garland on 'Civil War.'
Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in ‘friendly fire’ incident
"The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18."
Government funding bill clears Congress, averting a shutdown
The plan now goes to President Joe Biden, who is expected to quickly sign it into law.
Navy fires CO of Navy Reserve Center Shreveport
Lt. Cmdr. Adam Sandifer was relieved as head of NRC Shreveport “due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command,” the Navy said.
Opinion
America must ‘honor the contract’ on veterans’ benefits
In this opinion piece, Al Lipphardt of VFW responds to a recent Economist article that labeled veterans' benefits as "absurdly generous."
Navy, Air Force cleared to fly Ospreys after inspecting gears
A cracked gear led to a November 2023 Osprey crash that killed eight airmen. The military is trying to see which Ospreys might risk a similar failure.
New report on Navy spending
US Navy ‘wasted’ $1.8 billion on cruiser modernization program: Report
The Fight Back - one Marine's journey through war, addiction and revival
Jon Basara wanted to be the perfect Marine, but mental and physical trauma from war put him on a different path. View our full series on his story.
Recruit to gunny: 1st Marine graduates from talent acquisition program
When Justin Kelley graduates today from Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, he’ll be a gunnery sergeant.
VA to resume new electronic health record rollout in mid-2026
The project was scheduled to take 10 years and cost $16 billion. Nearly eight years later, only six of VA’s 170-plus medical sites are using the software.
