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Marine Corps may charter more commercial vessels amid experimentation efforts
The charter agreement, the Corps' second since 2021, allows the service to experiment without having to invest heavily in in-house shipbuilding.
He earned the Medal of Honor in Vietnam. Why did it take decades to receive it?
A June Medal of Honor ceremony concluded a 20-year struggle that profoundly shaped the latter decades of retired Marine Corps Maj. James Capers Jr.'s life.
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Pentagon & Congress
Billboard campaign in military cities connects Iran war to high prices
More than 1,000 billboards have gone up near military installations tying the Iran conflict to higher consumer prices.
Some military barracks ‘chronically neglected’ due to $285 billion in maintenance backlogs, GAO finds
A GAO report found that the department underperforms in funding maintenance needs as recommended by its Facilities Sustainment Model.
Opinion
Every combat medic is trained for the wound. We should train them for what comes next.
Every combat medic is trained to treat wounds. They should also be trained for the mental aspect that follows, an Army combat medic writes in this op-ed.
Pentagon dubs M18 handgun ‘safe and reliable’ after review
The Pentagon has dubbed the M18 handgun "safe and reliable," with officials blaming safety concerns on “public speculation and online misinformation.”
In other news
US judge orders release of woman accused of vandalism at World War II Memorial
A U.S. judge ordered the release of a Kentucky woman who was accused of vandalism at the World War II Memorial.
VIDEOS
Insight on the art of scaling up missile production | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 8.25.26
A panel of military and defense industry experts weigh the options for increasing U.S. missile production. Plus, military headlines from around the globe.
Featured Videos
TSA stops Alabama traveler for Civil War-era cannonballs in luggage
An Alabama traveler was stopped recently by TSA after checking luggage containing five Civil War-era cannonballs. Roll Tide.
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.”
By J.D. Simkins
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.
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MORE STORIES
Trump orders Pentagon to cut back military exercises with South Korea
President Trump instructed the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” joint military exercises with long-term Asian ally South Korea.
By Costas Pitas, David Lawder and Heejin Kim, Reuters
After traumatic health ‘crash,’ Austin Tice’s mom renews search for answers
Austin Tice, a Marine Corps veteran, was abducted during a 2012 reporting trip to Syria.
By Hope Hodge Seck
White House national security official to depart administration
The upcoming departure of White House deputy national security adviser Andy Baker marks the latest change in a shake-up of the national security team.
By Gram Slattery, Reuters
Woman charged over vandalism of World War II Memorial
A woman was taken into custody and charged with two felony counts in connection with vandalism at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall.
By Ismail Shakil and Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Reuters
CENTCOM launches multinational attack drone task force
Task Force Falcon Strike will employ one-way attack drones composed of unmanned systems from above, on and below the sea.
Bill seeks nationwide concealed carry for special operators
A senator and special operations veteran with a scrutinized story of a gunshot wound filed a bill to let special operators carry nationwide.
US Marines roam far and wide from temporary Darwin base
This year's Marine Rotation Force-Darwin is the first in its 15-year history to be certified as a Marine Air-Ground Task Force.
Marines train to shoot down combat drones with standard weapons
New service-level training teaches Marines to counter drone threats with rifles, shotguns and grenade launchers.
Marine Corps identifies recruit who died at Camp Pendleton
The Marine Corps on Wednesday identified the loss of a Marine recruit after he suffered a medical emergency at Camp Pendleton, California.
Senator presses Navy for answers on USS Abraham Lincoln deployment
Sen. Richard Blumenthal distributed a letter on Wednesday requesting that the U.S. Navy account for conditions aboard the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
DoD to launch pilot for some service members to freeze sperm, eggs
The Pentagon will soon cover the cost for some service members to freeze their sperm or eggs.
By Patricia Kime
Urine test could predict stress fractures in boot camp
A new $3.4 million Pentagon grant to two universities aims to help solve the thorny problem of military recruits getting sidelined with stress fractures.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Multiple USS Abraham Lincoln sailors have tried to go overboard amid extended deployment, families say
Multiple sailors aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln have attempted to go overboard as the carrier's deployment stretches into its ninth month.
Marines must update religious affiliation as service slashes list to 30 options
The Pentagon released an updated list of religious affiliations, cutting the options for service members' self-identification from more than 200 to 30.
By Eve Sampson
Asbestos, mold and crumbling walls: The US military’s Pacific bases are falling apart
Mold, asbestos and crumbling walls are only some of the issues plaguing the U.S. military's Pacific bases, a government watchdog found.
By Michael Peck
Russia frees former US Marine from detention
Russia freed a former U.S. Marine on Tuesday who had been jailed since 2022.
By Steve Holland and Jonathan Landay, Reuters