News
Captain Todd S. Levant
In May 2026, Captain Todd S. Levant took over as the Commanding Officer of Navy Recruiting Region East.
CARAT Sri Lanka 2026 concludes, strengthening maritime partnerships in region
TRINCOMALEE, Sri Lanka –The sixth iteration of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Sri Lanka concluded July 31, 2026, in Trincomalee, following a series of exercises and exchanges between the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and the U.S. Navy. The exercise began on July 27 and was designed to enhance maritime interoperability, strengthen partnerships, and promote regional security cooperation. T...[Read More]
CARAT Timor-Leste 2025 Concludes
DILI, Timor-Leste — The U.S. Navy and Timor-Leste Defense Forces (F-FDTL), also known as Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL), concluded CARAT Timor-Leste 2025, Sept. 26, after a weeklong exchange of expertise, training scenarios, and relationship-building activities in Dili.
Career submariner selected to perform duties of under secretary of the Navy
Retired Navy Capt. William Toti, career submariner and former advisor to Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg, is filling in as the Navy’s No. 2 civilian. As of May 1, Toti is performing the duties of the under secretary of the Navy after Hung Cao took on the role of acting secretary following John Phelan’s ousting in late April. “He has my full trust and authority to drive change, increase eff...[Read More]
Caribbean ‘Quarantine’: US Forces Take On Trump’s Oil Tanker Crackdown
Escalating interdictions of oil tankers linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro occur as part of a sweeping naval buildup that risks diplomatic, legal and regional confrontation.
CarMax to pay at least $420K to settle allegations of illegal repossessions of troops’ cars
CarMax, the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, has agreed to pay at least $420,000 in damages to service members whose vehicles were allegedly illegally repossessed, the Justice Department announced Monday. According to the consent agreement, CarMax repossessed the vehicles of “at least 28 service members who were in military service or had been called to military service,” during the period ...[Read More]
Carrier landings no longer required for Navy pilots’ Wings of Gold
U.S. Navy pilots in training no longer have to complete a requirement previously considered integral for flight school success. As of March 2025, students can qualify for graduation without landing a jet on an aircraft carrier, according to a Navy spokesperson who provided an emailed statement to the Navy Times. Pilots will instead complete carrier qualifications during follow-on training at the f...[Read More]
Carrier’s move to South America leaves Mideast, Europe with none
President Donald Trump’s decision to shift the nation’s most advanced aircraft carrier to South America in his campaign against drug cartels is pulling the ship out of the Mediterranean Sea at a time when a tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been threatened by new strikes in Gaza. The U.S. is set to be in the fairly unusual position of having only a single aircraft carrier deployed and...[Read More]
CDR Amada K. Burd
A native to San Diego, California, she commissioned through the U.S. Naval Academy in 2007. In June 2024, she reported to Navy Talent Acquisition (NTAG) Group, Phoenix as the Executive Officer. In December 2025, Commander Burd assumed command of NTAG Phoenix.
CDR Amelia Hueter
CDR Amelia Hueter is from Tampa, FL. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Fordham University and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Program in 2009.
CDR Jake Lacey
CDR Lacey is from Gilbert, AZ and was commissioned through the NROTC program at the University of Arizona in 2008, earning a bachelor’s in Engineering Management.
CDR Jeffrey M. Shepard
Born in Inglewood, CA on September 21, 1969, CDR Shepard grew up in Denver, CO. He joined the Navy out of Denver on August 3, 1989.