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Veteran suicides declined in 2024 for second straight year
According to a new VA report, 17.7 veterans die by suicide each day.
Air Force explosive ordnance technicians to sport new rust-colored beret
Air Force EOD technicians will wear a rust-colored beret with a metallic emblem in addition to their uniform to recognize their combat arms mission.
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Veterans
2 veterans battle in court and online over defamation, for-profit claims processing
A local government official alleges a for-profit company attacked VSOs as having a "monopoly" on helping veterans with disability claims.
Unemployment rate for post-9/11 vets up as job market slumps
The unemployment rate for the nation’s post-9/11 generation of veterans rose from 3.5% in August to 4.1% in September.
Veterans face SNAP barriers as USDA guidance delays policy changes, GAO finds
GAO found outdated USDA SNAP guidance for veterans and recommended better outreach and coordination to help veterans access food assistance.
Nearly 500,000 veterans to get 3-month break from paying life insurance premiums
Just in time for the holidays, veterans won't have to pay Veterans’ Group Life Insurance premiums for three months.
In other news
Pentagon directs cyber, intelligence agencies to counter foreign election threats
Hegseth ordered the agencies to "mobilize every authorized asset, capability and partnership under your command" to defend U.S. election infrastructure.
VIDEOS
Ukraine’s ‘Army of Robots’ idea presents fearsome future | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 10.6.26
A former Ukrainian defense official launches a futuristic robotic army initiative. Plus — a retired Green Beret turns to mine clearing as a new mission.
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
Air Force identifies airman found dead at off-base housing in Italy
TSgt. Conner Wells, assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, served as a precision-guided munition production supervisor.
Troops get first increase in 24 years for hostile fire, danger pays
Pentagon raises danger pay for troops for the first time since 2002, increasing hostile fire pay to $450 and imminent danger pay to $275 per month.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Pentagon launches Office of Religious Affairs, will report directly to Hegseth
The Pentagon intends to address what Hegseth calls a loss of religious community within the military after an era of “political correctness.”
Boeing adds to big week with first full-rate Grey Wolf helicopter order
The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a roughly $85 million contract for four more MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, with the first under full-rate production.
Pentagon spent millions on migrant detention supplies that were never used, watchdog says
The Pentagon spent $2.85 million assembling tents at Guantanamo Bay that were never used to house detained noncitizens, a government watchdog reported.
Hegseth announces new four-star command for autonomous warfare
The new Autonomous Warfare Command, or AutoWarCom, aims to address an acquisition system that isn't keeping pace with the speed of technological change.
8 sailors died by suicide at Oklahoma base in one year, Navy confirms
The deaths, along with eight attempted suicides in the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group, illustrate a systemic problem in the U.S. Navy, families say.
By Patricia Kime
US Air Force awards $2.38B contract to Boeing for 22 F-15EX
The service awarded Boeing a contract for 22 more F-15EX aircraft, bringing the number to a total of 120 to be manufactured by the defense company.
White House nominates next general to helm US Space Command
If confirmed, Lt. Gen. David N. Miller Jr. would take over command from Gen. Stephen Whiting after his upcoming retirement.
Hegseth halts tenure appointments for civilian faculty at military academies
Military academies will no longer appoint civilian faculty to tenured positions as Hegseth says it can contribute to “academic stagnation.”
Pentagon chief set to announce additional cuts in senior officer positions
Hegseth is set to announce a 20% cut in the number of positions for generals and admirals.
By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart, Reuters
Nearly 500,000 veterans to get 3-month break from paying life insurance premiums
Just in time for the holidays, veterans won't have to pay Veterans’ Group Life Insurance premiums for three months.
By Karen Jowers
Airmen, guardians to update religious affiliation to align with Pentagon policy
Active-duty service members have until Oct. 16, while Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard have until Nov. 9 to update their information in vMPF.
Pentagon awards Raytheon up to $20.7 billion to nearly double AMRAAM production
The Defense Department has awarded Raytheon a multiyear contract worth up to $20.7 billion to build Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, or AMRAAMs.
Pentagon directs cyber, intelligence agencies to counter foreign election threats
Hegseth ordered the agencies to "mobilize every authorized asset, capability and partnership under your command" to defend U.S. election infrastructure.
US forces exiting Iraq after 2 decades, leaving opening for Iran
U.S. forces are set to depart from their last bases in Iraq by Wednesday, a move celebrated as a victory by Iran and its allies.
By Ahmed Rasheed, Reuters