News
Why the 1914 Christmas Truce changed nothing on the Western Front
By late December 1914 World War I had been raging for nearly five months. Had anyone really believed it would be “all over by Christmas,” then it was clear they had been cruelly mistaken. With the strength of imperial Germany now evident to all, there appeared to be no chance of victory in the foreseeable future. By this time men were beginning, almost despite themselves, to gain a kind of grudgin...[Read More]
Why the bar scene in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ is more than just nostalgia
In “Top Gun: Maverick,” the bar scene at the Hard Deck stands out as one of the film’s most deliberate callbacks to the original 1986 classic, yet it does more than simply play on nostalgia. The Hard Deck, owned by Penny Benjamin (Jennifer Connelly), is a spiritual successor to the bar where Maverick and Goose once serenaded civilians and fellow officers. Its modernized setting highlights how much...[Read More]
Why the US Navy wants to build a fully autonomous satellite
Navy researchers are testing a fully autonomous satellite designed to detect and characterize objects in space. The system, called Autosat, is designed to task, calibrate its signals and send and receive information on its own without the need for a human operator. Steven Meier, director of space technology at the Naval Research Laboratory, said Thursday his team has demonstrated the capability in...[Read More]
Why troops in combat jobs should get higher danger pay than others
New directives for military compensation and special pays are set to be released in January 2025 as part of the Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation, or QRMC. As a component of the review, the Pentagon is considering adjusting the way Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger pay is allocated across the armed forces. This review raises the more fundamental issue of whether military personnel are bei...[Read More]
Why troops in combat jobs should get higher danger pay than others
New directives for military compensation and special pays are set to be released in January 2025 as part of the Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation, or QRMC. As a component of the review, the Pentagon is considering adjusting the way Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger pay is allocated across the armed forces. This review raises the more fundamental issue of whether military personnel are bei...[Read More]
Why troops secretly relate to SpongeBob’s ‘I’m a Goofy Goober’ spiral
It happens about 80 minutes into “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.” SpongeBob, denied a promotion and humiliated in front of his co-workers, wanders into the Goofy Goober Ice Cream Party Boat. He proceeds to spiral. After a binge of sundaes and shame, he stumbles on stage, belting out a shredded guitar solo rendition of “I’m a Goofy Goober (Rock!)” in front of a confused crowd. There’s glitter. Th...[Read More]
Wichita Falls to Host Inaugural Navy Week, September 15-21
The U.S. Navy proudly announces the inaugural Wichita Falls Navy Week, taking place Sept. 15-21, 2025. As part of a nationwide outreach effort, Wichita Falls Navy Week will bring 70-80 Sailors to engage directly with the community through a week-long series of performances, educational events, and service projects.
Wikoff: ‘The Stakes Are High’ For Maritime Strategies in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia – The commander of U.S. naval forces in the Middle East shared his thoughts on the future of maritime security in the age of artificial intelligence and machine learning during his remarks at the 3rd Saudi International Maritime Forum, Nov. 19.
Will most troops move under new household goods program in 2025?
The new system aimed at improving the shipments of service members’ household goods is gaining steam into 2025. By the end of 2024, 94 installations — more than half of the installations in the continental United States — will have the go-ahead to move service members’ household goods under the Transportation Command’s new Global Household Goods contract, as the command works toward bringing all d...[Read More]
Will most troops move under new household goods program in 2025?
The new system aimed at improving the shipments of service members’ household goods is gaining steam into 2025. By the end of 2024, 94 installations — more than half of the installations in the continental United States — will have the go-ahead to move service members’ household goods under the Transportation Command’s new Global Household Goods contract, as the command works toward bringing all d...[Read More]
Will senior enlisted troops see a targeted pay boost in 2026?
Junior enlisted troops are poised to see a massive increase in base pay next year. Senior enlisted service members could be next in line. Even as they were putting the finishing touches on service member quality of life reforms in this year’s defense authorization bill, lawmakers were already looking ahead at the next steps for improving pay and benefits for troops. At the Reagan National Defense ...[Read More]
Winnsboro native serving at U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Guantanamo Bay on the path to becoming an officer
MILLINGTON, Tennessee – Petty Officer 1st Class Bashanda Peay, a native of Winnsboro, South Carolina, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.