Navy to commission tech leaders as officers for Navy Innovation Unit
The U.S. Navy announced an expedited recruiting pipeline to bring technology experts into the service to help build innovative products at scale. The service is seeking professionals from the commercial sector and offering them direct commissions as an officer in the Navy Reserve in exchange for their expertise. “This highly skilled unit will also include Navy Reserve sailors who will rapidly fiel...[Read More]
Only 1 in 4 F-35s is fully mission capable, GAO finds
The F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter’s readiness rates continued to decline through fiscal 2025, with the fleet’s full mission capable rate falling to 25%, according to a new Government Accountability Office report released Thursday. The mission capable rate, which measures the percentage of time aircraft can perform at least one of their tasked missions, dropped from 67% in fiscal 2021 to 4...[Read More]
As tick threat grows, Navy lab investigates ‘gummy bear’ bug repellent
As the U.S. enters peak season for mosquitoes and a summer that could be “the worst … in memory” for disease-carrying ticks, a new bug repellent solution that may make it easier to stay protected is sitting on the shelf in a Navy lab, awaiting investment. The polymer-based material, described by researchers as having a “gummy bear” consistency, offers a way to weave the widely used and...[Read More]
‘Sounds like a mutiny’: Secret recording exposes claims of toxic leadership after a Marine’s suicide
Editor’s note: This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter. This report contains discussion of suicide. Troops, veterans and family members experiencing suicidal thoughts can call the 24-hour Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 and dial 1, text 838255 or visit VeteransCrisisLine.ne...[Read More]
Navy to reevaluate religious accommodations for facial hair
The U.S. Navy announced that it is implementing new procedures to redetermine whether individuals will be granted religious waivers to grow facial hair that doesn’t adhere to military grooming standards. The reevaluation applies to all active and reserve sailors with approved or pending religious accommodations for waivers allowing facial hair styles, as well as those looking to revisit requests f...[Read More]
Powering the Mission: NPS Students Advance Energy Resilience, Security Through Microgrid Research
MONTEREY, Calif. — Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) students and faculty gathered, May 28, for the Microgrid Innovations Research Center (MIRC) Spring 2026 Workshop and Student Research Showcase on the NPS campus, highlighting student-led research addressing the U.S. Department of War’s (DOW) growing need for secure, resilient energy systems.
Team Navy to Showcase Resilience and Strength at Warrior Games
Thirty Sailors and Coast Guardsmen are representing Team Navy at the 2026 Warrior Games in San Antonio, Texas, June 13-20, competing in adaptive sports such as wheelchair basketball, swimming, and cycling.
USS Augusta (LCS 34) returns to San Diego
SAN DIEGO –Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Augusta (LCS 34) arrived at its San Diego homeport June 11, following six months of operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet in support of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM)-led Operation Ardent Vanguard to protect the southern border.
Navy Reserve Recognizes Outstanding Civilian Employers at NERE 2026
SAN DIEGO— Acting Chief of Navy Reserve Rear Adm. Richard S. Lofgren hosted civilian employers and their guests representing companies from across the nation during the Navy Reserve’s annual Navy Employer Recognition Event (NERE) June 11, 2026.
US plans major cut to jets, warships for NATO operations in Europe, NYT reports
The United States plans to significantly reduce the aircraft and warships it makes available for NATO operations in Europe, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing two senior European officials. The decision would limit NATO’s ability to launch long-range strikes and conduct surveillance, the report said. The U.S. plan includes cutting the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets from roughly 1...[Read More]
Senate committee backs Department of War name change
The Senate Armed Services Committee voted this week to advance legislation that would rename the Department of Defense to Department of War, moving the proposal one step closer to law. The name change is included in the committee’s version of the fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said in a Thursday statement, explaining why he chose to vote against the bil...[Read More]
Trump vows to seize Iran’s Kharg Island
President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to seize Kharg Island — the linchpin of Iran’s oil industry — as he escalated pressure on Tehran amid a fraying ceasefire. In a post on Truth Social, the president wrote the United States would be hitting Iran “VERY HARD TONIGHT,” adding that “at some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure poin...[Read More]