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Air Force F-35 buy would be cut in half under Pentagon spending plan
The Air Force typically buys four or five dozen F-35s each year. The plan to purchase only 24 would represent a major scaling back.
Retirement snafu affects thousands of Reserve, Guard members
More than 13,000 Guard and Reserve members haven't been receiving their earned government retirement contributions.
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Appeals court rules Trump can deploy National Guard to LA for now
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order directing President Trump to return control of the California National Guard to Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Hegseth doesn’t initially commit to obeying courts on LA deployments
The defense secretary later clarified that he wouldn't "defy" a ruling from the Supreme Court.
New bill would expand exception to Medal of Honor 5-year limitation
The Valor Has No Expiration Act would remove arbitrary timelines and expand the criteria to include classified acts or those withheld from the public.
Hegseth won’t rule out military actions against Greenland, Panama
The defense secretary dodged questions from lawmakers about possible Defense Department plans against the allied territories.
In other news
Soldiers screened for appearance and politics ahead of Trump visit
Trump's partisan comments received cheers or jeers from the crowd, an expression of political views in uniform that would typically result in a reprimand.
Why Master Chief shunned the red tape of realistic military promotions
Halo's Master Chief has single-handedly turned the tide of interstellar wars. Yet despite his legendary exploits, his rank has remained static.
Why troops secretly relate to SpongeBob’s ‘I’m a Goofy Goober’ spiral
For all its absurdity, SpongeBob’s “Goofy Goober” breakdown in “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie" has become an unlikely touchstone in military circles.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
How Battle Brick Customs carved out a space for military collectors
The company produces kits based on real military vehicles, ranging from World War II tanks to modern U.S. Army Humvees and Special Forces boats.
This sailor requested leave to get his wife pregnant. It was approved.
“My wife is planning on getting pregnant this weekend,” the 1967 liberty request read, “and I would sure like to be there when it happens.”
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Marines show off body armor with lighter vest, plates and more sizes
Marine body armor engineers share a glimpse of their new protective gear that features lighter weights, lighter plates and more size options.
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VA will end remote work status for thousands of staffers this month
The move to end telework at VA follows instructions from the White House to return most federal employees to their pre-pandemic duty stations.
Vets group blasts Trump plane crash comments as ‘shameful’
The president on Thursday suggested that programs to hire workers with disabilities may have lead to the aircraft collision that killed 67 people.
Defense Department dumps travel policy for troops seeking abortions
Defense leaders had provided travel stipends to troops who needed to cross state lines to seek abortion counseling.
Army Secretary pick says pay boost isn’t enough to fix recruiting woes
Increasing pay and benefits alone won't be enough to attract young people to the service, Army Secertary nominee Daniel Driscoll said.
VA leaders dismiss directors of offices for women, minority veterans
Officials said the staff changes are not part of larger efforts to eliminate diversity and inclusion programs from the department.
Hegseth strips Milley of security detail, orders investigation
The former Joint Chiefs chairman had warned that Trump may seek revenge against him and other critics if re-elected to the White House.
VA benefits won’t be halted under White House funding freeze order
White House officials said VA financial assistance programs do not violate rules banning diversity and inclusion efforts.
Tricare lets patients bypass TriWest problems slowing specialty care
A temporary waiver allows beneficiaries to take their referral from a primary care manager directly to a specialist without waiting for approval.
By Karen Jowers