Latest U.S. Department of Defense News

The Navy will start randomly testing SEALs and special warfare troops for steroids

Sep. 29, 2023 14:20 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Navy will begin randomly testing its special operations forces for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs beginning in November, taking a groundbreaking step that military leaders have long resisted. Rear Adm. Keith Davids, commander of Naval Special...

The American soldier who bolted into North Korea 2 months ago has returned to the US

Sep. 28, 2023 17:07 PM EDT

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The American soldier who sprinted into North Korea across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas more than two months ago was whisked to a Texas Army base Thursday for medical checks and interviews after his return to the U.S., according to the Pentagon. ...

GOP senators sharply question Pentagon nominee about Biden administration's foreign policies

Sep. 28, 2023 15:49 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate hearing Thursday on the nomination of the official to be the Pentagon's top policy adviser was dominated by Republicans expressing their frustrations with the Biden administration's foreign policies, from the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan to Ukraine funding and...

Senate confirms army, marines chiefs as senator's objection blocks other military nominations

Sep. 21, 2023 15:50 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has confirmed three top military leaders, filling the posts after monthslong delays and as a Republican senator is still holding up hundreds of other nominations and promotions for senior officers. Thursday afternoon, Gen. Randy George was confirmed as...

Senate confirms chairman of joint chiefs as GOP senator still blocking hundreds of military nominees

Sep. 20, 2023 21:40 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Gen. CQ Brown as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, putting him in place to succeed Gen. Mark Milley when he retires at the end of the month. Brown's confirmation on a 83-11 vote, months after President Joe Biden...

Pentagon working to restore benefits to LGBTQ+ veterans forced out under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'

Sep. 20, 2023 12:02 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon began a new effort Wednesday to contact former service members who may have been forced out of the military and deprived of years of benefits due to policies targeting their sexual orientation, starting with those who served under “Don't Ask, Don't Tell." ...

Military officers begin to speak out on the harm done by Sen. Tuberville's holds on promotions

Sep. 16, 2023 00:23 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — In the months since a single senator froze military promotions over the Pentagon’s abortion policy, the uniformed officers affected have been largely silent, wary of stepping into a political fray. But as the ramifications of Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s freeze...

US military orders new interviews on the deadly 2021 Afghan airport attack as criticism persists

Sep. 15, 2023 16:25 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon's Central Command has ordered interviews of roughly two dozen more service members who were at the Kabul airport when suicide bombers attacked during U.S. forces' chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, as criticism persists that the deadly assault could have been stopped....

Pentagon says surveillance flights, not counterterrorism ops, have restarted in Niger

Sep. 14, 2023 15:30 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon said Thursday that it has not restarted counterterrorism operations in Niger, a day after the head of U.S. airpower for Europe and Africa said those flights had resumed. Gen. James Hecker, responding to a question from The Associated Press at a...

Editorial Roundup: Alabama

Sep. 14, 2023 03:26 AM EDT

Cullman Times. September 13, 2023. Editorial: Memo to Sen. Tuberville: Military readiness and abortion polices are not the same thing Alabama’s senior senator is in the crosshairs, but that’s not news. Coach Tommy Tuberville put himself there six months ago when...