Top stories
They served through America’s post-9/11 wars. 25 years later, what did that service mean?
Nearly 3 million Americans served in the wars that followed Sept. 11. Three veterans reflect in The War Horse about what they saw, lost and still carry.
Defense startup’s AI aims to make every munition count
Smack Technologies' CEO said its AI modeling tool will help commanders decide not just which targets to strike, but how to sequence strikes over time.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Apply for Best for Vets: Trusted Brands
Military Times is now accepting submissions from companies that offer verifiable value to the military community through programs and benefits.
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.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Your Army
Pentagon codifies fitness standards across branches
The new regulations spell out testing timelines, standards for troops in combat arms specialties and guidelines for pregnancy and postpartum fitness.
Iran and US hit tankers in biggest wave of attacks on shipping since war began
Recent attacks by the U.S. and Iran have shattered a month of relative calm, with both hitting military, shipping and energy assets.
White House reviews candidates to replace Hegseth deputy, sources say
The White House has reviewed candidates to potentially replace Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg, Reuters reports.
Pentagon wants to use AI-generated ‘personalities’ for decoy cellphones
The DoD wants to wield AI-generated "personalities" to mimic real people and fool enemy AI.
In other news
Opinion
America wants the hero, not the human
If America and the DoD truly want to “support our troops,” they must start acknowledging the human beings inside the uniform, this military spouse writes.
VIDEOS
Marines to add thousands to ranks in coming years | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 9.8.26
The Marine Corps seeks to swell its ranks in the next five years. Plus, the Army museum remembers Sept. 11 and those who responded.
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.
Don't miss
Trending Now
MORE STORIES
Trump appoints Adam Telle as acting Army secretary
Trump said he was appointing Adam Telle, assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, as the acting U.S. Army secretary.
By Reuters and Staff
Vance: US probing airstrike that Iran says hit a wedding party
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the United States is investigating an airstrike that Iran says struck a wedding party.
By Reuters
Court overturns 2023 ruling that wiped Bowe Bergdahl’s conviction
The court ruled that only the military justice system — not civilian courts — has jurisdiction to reverse the conviction.
By Eve Sampson
US Army launches laser production with $465M contract award
The U.S. Army awarded a $464.8 million production contract to AeroVironment, Inc., this week for the Enduring-High Energy Laser program.
By Leigh Giangreco
Pentagon temporarily rescinds guidance on testosterone screening for US troops
The Pentagon is temporarily rescinding recently published clinical guidance for a new mandatory testosterone-deficiency screening policy, Reuters reports.
By Idrees Ali, Reuters
Fort Knox soldier identified after fatal motor pool accident
The U.S. Army identified a soldier who died this week in an accident at an on-post motor pool at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
The Army shut down a specialized drone unit. Legislators want to know why.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers asked the Army to explain why it is shuttering a specialized drone battalion less than a year after establishing it.
By Eve Sampson
Pentagon expands hormone screening guidance to include female service members
The DHA established a hormone-screening pathway for female service members, directing providers to screen women annually for hormonal dysregulation.
Iran war escalation raises concern over civilian death toll
The recent escalation of the Iran war has cast renewed attention on its civilian toll after Iran reported four killed and dozens wounded at a wedding.
By Menna AlaaElDin and Kanishka Singh, Reuters
VA said electronic health record modernization would cost $10 billion — now it’s $48 billion
The Department of Veterans Affairs is nearly tripling the ceiling on its contract with Oracle to modernize the agency’s electronic health record system.
US Army awards $192M to Palantir, Anduril for TITAN production
The Army moved its TITAN program from prototyping to production with a $192 million award to Palantir and Anduril this week.
By Leigh Giangreco
Army pivots from WWII-era ammo cans toward polymer cases, 3D printing
The Army is rolling out what it’s calling the first major revolution in ammo packaging since World War II.
By Hope Hodge Seck
House passes funding bill to avert government shutdown
The House overwhelmingly approved legislation Tuesday to prevent a government shutdown and keep federal agencies operating beyond Oct. 1.
By Richard Cowan, Reuters
US launches new barrage of strikes on Iran around Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. launched new air strikes on Iranian targets Tuesday following attempted attacks by the IRGC against American troops deployed to the region.
By Jasper Ward and Parisa Hafezi, Reuters
US Army soldiers across the world earn Danish ruck ribbon
Thousands of U.S. Army soldiers—from Korea to Virginia—laced up their boots last week to earn a Danish military award now authorized for wear.
By Eve Sampson
Pentagon still failing to secure health records of top officials, audit finds
The Pentagon is still failing to safeguard the electronic health records of top government officials, the DoD Inspector General found.
By Michael Peck