![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/XUV53R74XZAXJN5Z4KS6LKRGYQ.jpeg?auth=22fa521be367376df84af09bd4fe2e067a69baa48146f2fdce5a75095f2b6625&width=1195&height=629)
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/XUV53R74XZAXJN5Z4KS6LKRGYQ.jpeg?auth=22fa521be367376df84af09bd4fe2e067a69baa48146f2fdce5a75095f2b6625&width=1195&height=629)
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/XUV53R74XZAXJN5Z4KS6LKRGYQ.jpeg?auth=22fa521be367376df84af09bd4fe2e067a69baa48146f2fdce5a75095f2b6625&width=1195&height=629)
GOP lawmakers target diversity training, COVID rules in defense bill
The annual defense authorization bill debate in the House focused mainly on hot-button social issues.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/UNCQ5CH5LBBO3EO34MGSUBE5U4.jpg?auth=3c63cf84584f0db0c7347463cd8887b2c424fc52c3cdad28a08d5ec2ad67bbe6&width=5066&height=3377)
Coronavirus | COVID-19 Updates
Veterans Affairs drops mask requirement for all agency medical offices
Masks will still be mandated for some high-risk areas or facilities with rising virus numbers.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/DNZ3CNXPENHQBJ2PSMSOHFGB6I.jpg?auth=221346abac8b06e78d9b553db96194936ff42e3d3fd33bb38bf2950394cd11ef&width=4643&height=3316)
Alaska, Texas governors sue over National Guard vaccine rule
he case dealing with Alaska and Texas guard members is an amended version of the challenge filed by Texas earlier this month.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/ONYPOPYCEVFFNHV7DM3NHZX2E4.jpg?auth=d00ee839280c129ca99f6b8197185c3367d65dad395fe639ac24ca74b072434b&width=2700&height=1800)
VA pauses punishment for non-medical staff still unvaccinated against COVID
Staffers in non-medical posts will not face firings while a court battle over the vaccine mandate is pending.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/QIYRMK5FJ5D2VO4ASA6EUFXXZQ.png?auth=dcb79ea00e1f06128d3286b2acafd7b032958bca087e424bc9a9a11f2ea76689&width=1299&height=865)
SOCOM boss tests positive for COVID-19
Army Gen. Richard Clarke is working from home, with mild symptoms, after testing positive Sunday.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/PSCU6DN2GBEHTMXYERY6LURUVA.png?auth=6ff154f1c2021e110b4166ce99a663f812ade44de4c6e80d5f4a556ab8f7e4cb&width=1920&height=1200)
Military spouse unemployment could change after pandemic
Military spouses have historically faced high rates of unemployment.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/BYW4XKD52JGOBARGU74LU7IVKI.jpg?auth=601ac753dc8c9ede91eacdff3d7465e551fa1bda61a309bc9394468be714cdd2&width=2250&height=1500)
No firings yet for VA workers who refuse COVID vaccines, despite continued warnings
Officials had said firings could start this month for staffers who missed vaccination deadlines last fall.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/63J5PC5VDNGGRGMRRDUBCEOMNA.jpg?auth=b4d4c459a89e8cc727a8e3273df2767dc8875f2d1d3909a4d983dc68136d6579&width=4985&height=3323)
Milley, Berger, test positive for COVID-19
Two members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have contracted COVID-19.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/E67KWDXAXBCI5GCSHSD2KFI33M.jpg?auth=04318ac0e9b9001ad7744aec14339a3d488e3e68acba09080a755f98cf262aba&width=3209&height=2516)
New $16 billion VA medical records system delayed again. This time by COVID
Plans to deploy the software in Ohio in March are being pushed back almost two months.
![Master Sgt. Jeffrey Delorey, a medic with the 157th Medical Group, gives Tech. Sgt. Ravi Madahar, a boom operator with the 157th Operations Group, a Moderna booster shot Dec. 22, 2021 at Pease Air National Guard Base, New Hampshire. (Staff Sgt. Victoria Nelson/Air National Guard)](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/QABOUPEDCBH6TEFQFPHXFXVQYY.jpg?auth=3be0cbfae6047a4698c9ab2764a13bfc67f0dbf431f3bdc5655d7bb8127e2fea&width=1000&height=668)
Two more Army reservists die of COVID
Roughly half of the military's 88 COVID-19 deaths have been among Army reservists.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/QRR3YK24L5DVFCQDDHJCL6A25A.jpg?auth=f17a2dd71928c57bec1a01f15bd3290b235f7b5fd774045457abacc04284e35d&width=6000&height=4000)
Military deployments alone won’t be enough to fight COVID surge, Biden says
About 1,000 military medical specialists will deploy to hard-hit hosptials in coming weeks to ease pressure on health care staff.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/H5UFOUI7ZJHR5ONDO63AJUYH4A.jpg?auth=9785ec701912e1daf3b394e7ce8a63335bcd6a8aa1835c6330299a81f0831571&width=4175&height=2783)