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New health care savings benefit coming to troops in 2025
This tax-savings benefit will help defray out-of-pocket costs for medical and dental services and items.
From Grinch greetings to Santa sightings, the holidays come to troops
Holiday helpers have been busy, as plenty of organizations and individuals have been working to make the days a bit brighter for troops and their families.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Warrior Games 2024
Explore coverage and learn more about the 2024 Warrior Games athletes.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
Your 2024 Military Times Pay and Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2024.
What to know for a smooth PCS move in 2024
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times' 2024 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Veterans
Major leadership shakeup, new budget battles coming to VA in 2025
The major Veterans Affairs stories we're keeping an eye on in 2025.
A Marine’s legacy as first Puerto Rican Medal of Honor recipient
Pfc. Fernando Garcia is the only Puerto Rican Marine to have received the award.
With his track ablaze, this soldier found a way to destroy an enemy tank
As a tank destroyer commander without a tank destroyer, Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Clyde Choate had to do exceptional improvisation under fire.
Camouflage and tiaras: First active-duty Miss America reflects on year
2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, 23, will complete her year as the first active-duty Miss America in January.
In other news
Indigenous WWI veterans get long awaited Medal of Honor review
Numerous Indigenous veterans are currently being reviewed as potential recipients of the Medal of Honor — more than a century after they served.
Featured Videos
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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VIDEOS
Special Episode - The Nature of Courage | Defense News Weekly Full Episode
In this special episode, we ask Medal of Honor recipients about the nature of bravery, and how everyday people can exhibit it in their own lives.
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MORE STORIES
Will most troops move under new household goods program in 2025?
More than half of installations in the continental United States are moving troops' shipments under the new system.
By Karen Jowers
Following controversy, Maryland governor receives Bronze Star
The award comes months after reports that Moore claimed the award on a 2006 White House fellowship application when the paperwork had not been processed.
Marine vet who allegedly trained Chinese pilots to be extradited to US
Australia’s attorney general approved Daniel Duggan's extradition Monday, ending Duggan's nearly two-year attempt to avoid being returned to the U.S.
By By Keiran Smith
Coast Guard leaders kept sexual assault investigation secret: Report
The report also accused Coast Guard officials of deliberately removing references to the investigation from records submitted to Congress.
Marine gunner has AWOL charges tossed, gets reprimand for statements
In an unusual moment for court proceedings, the defendant's Marine Corps attorney used a recess to have the gunner preside over his promotion to captain.
By Hope Hodge Seck
China says US ‘playing with fire’ after latest military aid for Taiwan
The Chinese government continues to claim Taiwan as its territory and says it must come under its control.
Two US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in ‘friendly fire’ incident
"The guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg, which is part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, mistakenly fired on and hit the F/A-18."
By Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press
Government funding bill clears Congress, averting a shutdown
The plan now goes to President Joe Biden, who is expected to quickly sign it into law.
Navy, Air Force cleared to fly Ospreys after inspecting gears
A cracked gear led to a November 2023 Osprey crash that killed eight airmen. The military is trying to see which Ospreys might risk a similar failure.
Recruit to gunny: 1st Marine graduates from talent acquisition program
When Justin Kelley graduates today from Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, he’ll be a gunnery sergeant.
By Hope Hodge Seck
VA to resume new electronic health record rollout in mid-2026
The project was scheduled to take 10 years and cost $16 billion. Nearly eight years later, only six of VA’s 170-plus medical sites are using the software.
Marines can now reenlist early, some for up to 15 years
Marine Corps initiatives have already yielded historic retention results, with the Corps hitting 114% of its annual retention goal in Fiscal Year 2024.
By Todd South
US troops doubled in Syria before Assad’s overthrow, Pentagon says
The surge of 1,100 troops to the country has been going on for months without being disclosed publicly.
West Point colonel arraigned again for alleged misconduct with cadets
Col. William Wright has been arraigned for a second time on charges related to alleged misconduct with a cadet.
By Riley Ceder
Suicides among veterans remain unchanged despite federal focus
The figures are the latest available from federal census data and suggest limited progress on the issue of suicide prevention by Veterans Affairs leaders.
Pensacola Marine arrested, named prime suspect in murder of escort
Willie Ellington, 20, was taken into custody Dec. 18 by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on charges of first-degree premeditated murder.
By J.D. Simkins