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House panel votes to reinstate non-Confederate base names and adopt ‘Department of War’
The House advanced a measure to return the names of nine U.S. military bases to those recommended by a congressional commission in 2023.
Military pay raises, changes to housing allowance included in House-passed $1.15 trillion defense budget
After controversial amendment votes, a House committee advanced a bill early Friday morning that would authorize the largest defense budget in history.
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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.
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Pentagon & Congress
Joint Chiefs head makes first official visit to post-Maduro Venezuela
The visit comes five months after the high-risk U.S. military operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Unemployment rate for veterans drops to 3.2%, women vets surge on jobs market
The improvement was bolstered by a strong showing from women veterans on the jobs market and came despite growing fears of AI-triggered layoffs.
Lawmakers move to require chaperones for ‘sensitive’ appointments in military health system
Under the provision, a trained third party would have to be present for exams conducted by obstetrician-gynecologists at military treatment facilities.
Pentagon must divulge cost of Iran war under House proposal
A measure advanced Friday would require the DoD to report on the total financial cost of operations in Iran, including damaged or destroyed U.S. property.
In other news
US forces board sanctioned tanker in Indian Ocean, Pentagon says
U.S. forces have intercepted multiple commercial and oil tankers in the Indian Ocean in recent months.
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?
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More new tech and gear from Modern Day Marine | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 6.9.26
A remote turret that keeps you on target in heavy seas, and lightweight belt-fed options. Plus, advice from MOAA.
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‘Warrior dividend’ is on the way to troops, Trump says
In honor of America's 250th anniversary, troops will receive $1,776 before Christmas, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday.
By Karen Jowers
Hegseth orders overhaul of Chaplain Corps
In a Tuesday video message, Hegseth said he intends to “make the Chaplain Corps great again,” by restoring its focus on religious ministry.
By Eve Sampson
More troops may soon get access to expanded food options
Services will be testing programs that allow troops to use their common access cards outside of standard dining facilities.
By Karen Jowers
Lawmakers move to further restrict cellphones in DOD schools
Overall, cellphone use is not a systemic issue, says DODEA.
By Karen Jowers
Troops will see an average 4.2% boost in 2026 housing allowance
Service members will see a 4.2% bump, on average, in their monthly Basic Allowance for Housing as of Jan. 1, defense officials announced Thursday.
By Karen Jowers
70 commissaries will offer customers doorstep delivery within a month
Here's the list of 70 commissaries that will have doorstep delivery service by Jan. 11.
By Karen Jowers
Army OB-GYN charged with secretly filming dozens at Fort Hood
Maj. Blaine McGraw has been charged with four counts and 61 specifications for allegedly secretly filming women during medical exams.
By Eve Sampson
Is carrier Wi-Fi distracting sailors? Jet mishap probe raises concerns
The arrival of readily accessible Wi-Fi onboard ships is reducing crews’ commitment to professional excellence, the investigation found.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Lawmakers move to block effort to privatize military commissaries
Lawmakers have moved to prevent the Defense Department from privatizing military commissaries as part of Congress’ proposed compromise defense policy bill.
By Karen Jowers
Five minutes of chaos: How the Navy shot down its own jet
A long pattern of rushed training and failed equipment contributed to the embarrassing and costly error, a recently published command investigation found.
By Hope Hodge Seck