Top stories
Army wants ‘modern’ dining halls to feature delivery, healthy food
The dining hall updates will target five Army bases, beginning with Fort Liberty, North Carolina.
College students charged in ‘Catch a Predator’ style ambush on soldier
Six Massachusetts students are accused of assaulting a soldier after luring him to campus as part of a TikTok trend.
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Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times' 2024 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Opinion
Hegseth’s track record falls short of military standards: Dem senators
In this op-ed, Sens. Kelly and Duckworth argue Pete Hegseth falls short of the standards expected of those he would oversee as defense secretary.
Confirmation hearing for Trump’s VA Sec pick delayed over FBI check
The confirmation hearing had been scheduled for Tuesday morning, but will now be held next week.
Opinion
Chairman Bost: America’s veterans have earned Doug Collins
In this op-ed, Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) discusses how the character and servant leadership of the VA secretary nominee is exactly what veterans need.
New Senate Vet Affairs chair plans focus on care access, mental health
Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran will lead the chamber's veterans policy committee for the second time.
In other news
Blitz of confirmation hearings includes VA, DOD secretary picks
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of Jan. 13, 2025.
Life of pie: Soldier charged with loan fraud in bakery boondoggle
The soldier has been charged for allegedly using a fraudulent pie business called “Granny’s Delight” to obtain COVID-related business relief loans.
Marine lights candles for romantic hotel surprise, sets room on fire
Update the safety brief.
By J.D. Simkins
Did a US F-22 shoot down a UFO? Photo of aerial object adds to mystery
A grainy image (it’s always a grainy image) of an object downed by an F-22 over Canada's Yukon territory has aviation (and UFO) enthusiasts chattering.
Air Force Falcons unveil glorious AFSOC-themed football unis
The Air Force just dropped some special edition football uniforms and they are certifiably fire.
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MORE STORIES
New Tricare contracts bring health care changes
Beneficiaries can expect easier transfer of medical referrals when they move, among other things, with the new Tricare contracts.
By Karen Jowers
Biden administration temporarily blocks 9/11 plea deal
It's the latest development in the U.S. military's struggle to bring to justice the man charged with planning the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.
Army wants ‘modern’ dining halls to feature delivery, healthy food
The dining hall updates will target five Army bases, beginning with Fort Liberty, North Carolina.
By Riley Ceder
Expecting mothers overseas now have doula coverage in Tricare test
Starting Jan. 1, Tricare expanded doula and lactation services to expectant mothers overseas. The services are part of a test that runs through 2026.
By Karen Jowers
Senate hearing could decide whether Hegseth becomes defense secretary
The Senate Armed Services Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Trump's defense secretary pick next Tuesday.
TriWest switch sparks ‘deluge of misdirected calls,’ Health Net says
Health Net is seeing a 200% increase in calls to their claims center, many because of problems reaching the new West Region contractor.
By Karen Jowers
Vets won’t see disruptions in VA services amid White House changes
VA leaders have pledged to keep services operating normally, even as several senior staffers depart office.
US troops need to stay in Syria to counter ISIS, Pentagon chief says
U.S forces are still needed in Syria to prevent ISIS from reconstituting as a major threat following Assad's ouster, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
By Tara Copp, AP
College students charged in ‘Catch a Predator’ style ambush on soldier
Six Massachusetts students are accused of assaulting a soldier after luring him to campus as part of a TikTok trend.
By Todd South
Army doctor pleads guilty to sexually abusing dozens of soldiers
Maj. Michael Stockin faces nearly 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to abusive sexual contact of patients he treated at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
By Todd South
Slain Marine’s family ‘let down’ by killer’s 8-year sentence
Cpl. Jesse Thomas Bopp pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the 2023 shooting of a fellow Marine, 19-year-old Lance Cpl. Austin Schwenk.
By Riley Ceder
VA eases benefits rules for cancers from Post-9/11 service, K2 tours
Gulf War veterans and Post-9/11 vets suffereing from leukemia and bladder cancer will get presumptive benefits status under a new decision by VA.
Discrimination led to Air Force contractor’s death, lawsuit alleges
Stephanie Cosme, 32, died in 2023 after she inadvertently walked into a MQ-9A Reaper's rotating propeller. Her family is still looking for answers.
US shifts over $100M in military aid from Israel, Egypt to Lebanon
The Biden administration in its final days is trying to bolster a ceasefire agreement that it helped mediate between Israel and Hezbollah.
US moves 11 Guantanamo detainees after two-plus decades without charge
The latest release brings the total number of men detained at Guantanamo to 15. It held approximately 800 at its peak.
Military’s Tricare transition to TriWest a ‘fiasco,’ some say
Some beneficiaries in the West Region are complaining of website glitches and overloaded call centers.
By Karen Jowers