Hegseth beefs up Middle East warship presence with 2 aircraft carriers
The defense secretary has ordered the carriers Carl Vinson and Harry S. Truman to be in the region as the U.S. increases strikes on Houthi rebels.
Military Benefits
Child care, teaching positions safe from DOD civilian hiring freeze
Some key positions in military quality-of-life programs are exempt from the department's hiring freeze.
GOP lawmakers suggest DOD cut climate change initiatives from budget
Republican leaders in Congress are recommending the Pentagon cut $377.35 million worth of climate change initiatives and allocate that money elsewhere.
Pentagon reviewing plans to cut troops handling migrants at Guantanamo
Officials are considering cutting troops deployed to the base by up to half, as no migrants are detained there and the program has faced legal challenges.
GOP leaders warn Trump not to abandon NATO post, Pacific buildup plans
Republican leaders are concerned about rumored plans to scale back American military involvement in Europe and Japan.
Almost 21,000 DOD employees approved to resign amid workforce cuts
The number is less than half of the 5-8% cut in civilian employees the Pentagon is pursuing.
Shipyards, military clinics exempted from Pentagon hiring freeze
Advocates praised defense leaders for excluding shipyard workers and other key readiness jobs from a department-wide hiring freeze.
Pentagon restores pages on Black MOH recipient, Japanese American unit
The Pentagon said pages honoring minority troops were mistakenly removed — but defended its efforts to cut content highlighting women and minority groups.
DOD leadership firings spark concerns over support for female officers
President Trump's administration has removed most of the military's top-ranking female leaders from their posts in recent weeks.
VA leaders announce end to all transgender-related care for vets
Department leaders promised to continue to provide necessary care to transgender veterans even after the rule changes.
Uncertainty is the only constant in the Pentagon’s budget outlook
“It’s going to be kind of a disaster,” one military official said about the lack of a full budget, which means more limits on how the Pentagon spends.
Senate passes six-month funding bill to avoid government shutdown
The Senate passed the bill hours before a government shutdown, overcoming Democratic opposition to the measure and sending it to President Trump's desk.
Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira pleads guilty to obstructing justice
In his address to the judge, Teixeira called himself a “proud patriot” and claimed he had exposed President Biden's "lies" about the war in Ukraine.
Judge orders return of dismissed probationary workers at VA, DOD
Thousands of federal employees could be reinstated to their government jobs following the ruling.
CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan vets group to step down later this spring
Allison Jaslow has served in the top role at IAVA for the last two years.
Democrats to focus on women, minorities in military personnel debates
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan said she'll push for better access to abortion services for troops despite slim chances of progress this year.
Key defense policy voice for Senate Democrats won’t seek reelection
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., serves on the armed services committee and was the first-ever woman to chair the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
