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Foreign agents preying on disgruntled soldiers, Army intel chief warns
The 43-day government shutdown has presented a particular opportunity for enemies to influence frustrated and disaffected Army personnel.
Hazing, bullying reports up as Hegseth pushes for rougher training
While hazing reports saw an upswing in 2024 after three years of steady decline, bullying complaints have been steadily increasing since 2020.
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Pentagon & Congress
Caine visits Caribbean as Trump ramps up pressure on Venezuela
The nation’s top military officer is visiting U.S. troops Monday in Puerto Rico and on a Navy warship in the region, where the U.S. has amassed a fleet.
Pentagon says it’s investigating senator for ‘illegal orders’ video
Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, a Navy veteran, joined a handful of other lawmakers in a video last week that called for U.S. troops to refuse unlawful orders.
After 84 years, USS Arizona’s unknowns may soon be identified
Operation 85, a family advocacy group, has worked tirelessly the past two years to obtain the DNA of 643 descendents of those onboard the USS Arizona.
New lab offers generative AI for defense wargaming
The hope is that AI players are realistic enough to facilitate the creation of multiple strategies during a wargaming exercise.
In other news
US advances discussions on troops, sanctions in Nigeria
The U.S. is drafting a proposal that includes weighing possible military engagement in Nigeria, a senior State Department official said this week.
Review: ‘In Waves and War’ shows promise of psychedelics to treat PTSD
The documentary, streaming Monday, follows a group of veterans undergoing experimental treatments currently not approved for clinical use in the U.S.
An enduring symbol: why troops keep naming things after reptiles
From cobras to gators, reptilian mascots and call signs appear on patches, aircraft and unit logos across every branch. Why?
By Clay Beyersdorfer
Battlefield 6 review: the return of a war game worth fighting for
After the rocky reception of Battlefield 2042, game developer DICE needed a strong comeback. The new Battlefield 6 mostly delivers, our reviewer writes.
The next military shooter showdown: ‘Call of Duty’ vs. ‘Battlefield’
This fall, two video game franchises are going head-to-head, with the upcoming releases of "Call of Duty: Black Ops 7" and "Battlefield 6."
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MORE STORIES
WWII Marine absorbed grenade blast to save his men on Tinian
While fighting on Tinian Pvt. Joseph Ozbourn sacrificed his life to save four fellow Marines.
By Jon Guttman
Meet the youngest Medal of Honor recipient since the Civil War
At just 14 years old, Jacklyn "Jack" Lucas forged his mother’s signature to join the Marine Corps.
Army tests out first robotically-operated dining facility
After soldiers pick menu items using a touchscreen, the system automatically portions, cooks and distributes each meal.
By Eve Sampson
Coast Guard reverses course, calls swastikas and nooses ‘hate symbols’
The change came on the same day media outlets discovered that the Coast Guard had unveiled a policy calling the same symbols "potentially divisive."
Judge orders Trump administration to end Guard deployment in DC
A federal judge is ordering the Trump administration to end its monthslong deployment of National Guard troops to help police the nation’s capital.
Private housing companies let troops deck the halls early for holidays
Military housing providers are now allowing troops and their families to decorate for the holiday season early.
Lawmakers urge troops to refuse illegal orders in video
President Trump called for lawmakers from the video to be arrested and put on trial in a Truth Social post.
By Riley Ceder
VA extends ‘legacy’ caregiver benefits through 2028
The PCAFC provides health care and monthly stipends to designated caregivers of combat veterans with a severe service-connected injury or illness.
By Patricia Kime
Pentagon must do better to safeguard public information, GAO warns
Of 10 DOD components assessed, only U.S. Special Operations Command was found to have consistently trained troops about the risks of digital information.
Airman behind famed ‘Burst of Joy’ photo dies at 92
Retired Col. Robert L. Stirm, the man featured in the famous Vietnam War Pulitzer Prize-winning photo “Burst of Joy” has died.
Thanksgiving feasts deployed to troops around the world
Service members on ships in the Caribbean as well as National Guard members deployed to cities within the U.S. will get their turkey, too.
By Karen Jowers
Melania Trump, Usha Vance visit military families in North Carolina
The first and second ladies took part in activities with military-connected children at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, during a joint appearance.
By Tanya Noury
New Army unit seeks to disrupt ‘malign influence’ in Indo-Pacific
The 1st Theater Information Advantage Detachment in Hawaii is the first of three such units to activate, with two units planned for Georgia and Germany.
By Eve Sampson
Army leaders ordered to check in daily with soldiers over the holidays
Soldiers will receive a daily check-in from their leadership through Jan. 15, 2026, to combat suicide and self-harm, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll said.
By Eve Sampson
How a Nazi trial ended the just-following-orders defense for US troops
After Nuremberg, U.S. military policy stated troops have a duty to disobey orders “a man of ordinary sense and understanding would know to be illegal."
By Richard Sisk
Check out these commissary deals on turkey and trimmings
As Thanksgiving approaches, commissary shoppers can stretch their dollars even further with some deals on turkeys and all the trimmings.
By Karen Jowers