Top stories
‘A beans and rice diet’: Government watchdog finds issues with military cost of living pay
The Government Accountability Office found the DoD used a mix of unsound sampling practices and inconsistent processes to set cost of living payments.
US Marine Corps replaces Basic Reconnaissance Course with expanded training
The new Ground Reconnaissance Course is one of two programs replacing the service’s Basic Reconnaissance Course.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful 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.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Pentagon & Congress
Pentagon freezes out Anthropic as it signs deals with AI rivals
The Department of Defense announced on Friday that it had struck deals with seven leading artificial intelligence companies.
A history of the War Powers Resolution and what it means for the Iran war
This case of executive overreach by Nixon in Cambodia during the Vietnam War led to the passage of the War Powers Act on Nov. 7, 1973.
Hegseth supports bill eliminating offsets for combat-disabled military retirees
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he supports the Richard Star Act to give medically retired veterans full compensation.
Some US troops cite benefits of Germany presence as Trump threatens pullback
Germany is the U.S. military’s largest footprint in Europe, with some 35,000 active-duty military personnel, and serves as a key training hub.
In other news
Trump says ‘probably’ when asked if he might pull US troops out of Italy, Spain
The comment came one day after Trump announced that Washington was looking at reducing the number of U.S. military personnel in Germany.
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?
Don't miss
VIDEOS
The Navy absorbs lessons from Epic Fury | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 4.28.26
At the Navy League of the United States’ recent conference, Navy leaders digest lessons from the U.S. campaign in the Middle East and look to the future.
Featured Videos
MORE STORIES
Pacific Marines will be first to test-drive new pilot-optional helicopter
The service is “aggressively pursuing” an operational demo in 2027 for the Aerial Logistics Connector.
By Hope Hodge Seck
US military commanders to brief Trump on military options against Iran
Top U.S. military leaders, including CENTCOM head Adm. Brad Cooper, will brief President Trump on Thursday on potential military action against Iran.
By Reuters
The US Army wants to manufacture meatless proteins in combat zones
The service "is exploring how the emerging alternative-protein sector can help meet several objectives, including enhancing food supply chain resilience."
By Michael Peck
US Navy to extend service life of amphibious assault ship USS Wasp by 5 years
The service completed a study of Wasp-class amphibious assault ships and is currently conducting another on amphibious dock landing ships.
By Riley Ceder
Don’t call it a ‘quagmire’: defense secretary refuses to speculate on length of Iran war
The questions over the war’s future come as a 60-day deadline approaches Thursday under the War Powers Act.
By Patricia Kime
Iran war has cost $25 billion so far, Pentagon official says
Acting comptroller Jules Hurst III, testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, said that the bulk of the figure has been devoted to ordnance.
By Tanya Noury
Brain function evaluations to be part of Marine health records
By September, Marines will be screened for blast exposure and overpressure during their periodic health assessments, a Pentagon official said.
By Hope Hodge Seck
US Marines help gun down beach invaders in simulated Philippines defense
Afterwards, as the repulsed “enemy” withdrew in disorder, a coup de grace was delivered by an explosive-laden, first-person-view drone.
Pentagon asks Congress to codify ‘Department of War,’ estimates $52 million cost
Only Congress has the authority to permanently rename executive department names, and it has not yet changed the title of the Department of Defense.
By Tanya Noury
How a band of Marines staved off the British and helped save the Declaration of Independence
Despite the military disaster at Bladensburg, the Marines gave the men and women of the capital precious time to flee.
Trump showcases US military in King Charles White House visit
Hundreds of U.S. service members took part in welcoming King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House on Tuesday.
By Tanya Noury
Pentagon’s FY27 budget seeks 85 F-35s, but most ride on reconciliation
The Pentagon’s fiscal 2027 budget request seeks 85 F-35 Lightning II fighters across the joint force, up from 47 in fiscal 2026.
By Michael Scanlon
All Marines required to follow grooming standards within 12 months or face separation
The Corps announced that even those who request exemptions for medical conditions can face administrative separation after 12 months of non-compliance.
Remains of USS Arizona crew buried as unknowns after Pearl Harbor to be identified
While the advocacy group Operation 85 met the 60% DNA threshold last November, the DPAA has finally confirmed its effort.
By Richard Sisk