Navy secretary nominee blasts ‘systemic failures’ plaguing the fleet
President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Navy on Thursday asserted that the service is in desperate need of reform, and promised to bring his outside business experience to the task of refocusing and reenergizing naval operations. “The U.S. Navy is at crossroads, with extended deployments, inadequate maintenance, huge cost overruns, delayed shipbuilding, failed audits, subpar housing, and, sadly,...[Read More]
Pentagon orders new social media purge to remove diversity mentions
Building lethality in the military may be the buzzword for the new Trump administration, but busywork and paperwork have become the reality at the Pentagon, as service members and civilian workers are facing a broad mandate to purge all of the department’s social media sites and untangle confusing personnel reduction moves. On Wednesday, the department’s top public affairs official signed and sent...[Read More]
Disabled vets continue to struggle finding post-military employment
Disabled veterans continue to struggle to find jobs despite national efforts to help bring them back into the civilian workforce, according to a new survey released by Wounded Warrior Project on Thursday. The report, based on responses in summer 2023 from nearly 19,000 veterans connected to the program, gives a snapshot of the continued struggles that veterans with serious injuries face years afte...[Read More]
Transgender troops will be separated from military, Pentagon says
The Pentagon revealed the specifics of its transgender troop policy in a court filing Wednesday that says any service member or recruit who has been diagnosed with or treated for gender dysphoria is disqualified from serving — unless they can prove they meet a specific warfighting need and adhere to severe restrictions on their day-to-day behavior. The memo effectively bans transgender members fro...[Read More]
CDR Stephen Mankins
CDR Stephen Mankins is a native of Wichita, Kansas and received his commission at the United States Naval Academy in May of 2008. He was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 2010.
Sen. Warner: Federal Spending Cuts Could Be ‘Recipe for Disaster’ for Hampton Roads
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner criticized Elon Musk’s and the Department of Government Efficiency’s “willy nilly” firing of federal employees as part of the Trump Administration’s efforts to dramatically cut spending.
Gene Hackman, Oscar-winning actor and Marine veteran, dies at 95
Gene Hackman, the prolific Oscar-winning actor whose studied portraits ranged from reluctant heroes to conniving villains and made him one of the industry’s most respected and honored performers, has been found dead along with his wife, classical pianist Betsy Arakawa, 64, and their dog at their home. He was 95. Hackman, a Marine Corps veteran, was a frequent and versatile presence on screen from ...[Read More]
NATO trials naval drones in Baltic Sea demo
MILAN — NATO showed off its underwater surveillance capabilities in an unmanned surface vessel demonstration in the Baltic Sea as part of alliance efforts to deter acts of sabotage against critical undersea infrastructure in the strategic area. The trials took place in waters near Denmark from Feb. 17 to 20 and involved integrating manned and unmanned assets in live-firing events and tactical mane...[Read More]
VA claims $2B in savings from contract cuts, vows no benefits impact
Veterans Affairs leaders this week touted $2 billion in savings for department efforts from canceled government contracts they insist were not providing real benefits to veterans, but critics are warning the efforts could seriously jeopardize some health and benefits services. In a video message posted to social media Tuesday, VA Secretary Doug Collins said the contract cuts were just the first st...[Read More]
VA claims $2B in savings from contract cuts, vows no benefits impact
Veterans Affairs leaders this week touted $2 billion in savings for department efforts from canceled government contracts they insist were not providing real benefits to veterans, but critics are warning the efforts could seriously jeopardize some health and benefits services. In a video message posted to social media Tuesday, VA Secretary Doug Collins said the contract cuts were just the first st...[Read More]
Military spouses still face confusion in federal return-to-office rule
Some federally employed military spouses are still grappling with uncertainty in their careers, as agencies aren’t consistently exempting them from the return-to-office mandate for federal workers, according to advocates and lawmakers. And lawmakers are demanding immediate action to make the exemption clear to federal agencies. “Despite the guidance to agencies, many military families have yet to ...[Read More]
Military spouses still face confusion in federal return-to-office rule
Some federally employed military spouses are still grappling with uncertainty in their careers, as agencies aren’t consistently exempting them from the return-to-office mandate for federal workers, according to advocates and lawmakers. And lawmakers are demanding immediate action to make the exemption clear to federal agencies. “Despite the guidance to agencies, many military families have yet to ...[Read More]