News
Federal employee caused shooter hoax at NJ base to bond with coworkers
A scare about a supposed shooting that prompted a lockdown at New Jersey’s largest military base was a hoax caused by a civilian employee who wanted to “trauma bond” with her colleagues, according to federal prosecutors. Malika Brittingham, a civilian who works for the Naval Air Warfare Center and was assigned to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, faces charges that she knowingly conveyed false inf...[Read More]
Federal Judge: No More Jail Time for Navy Veterans in Chinese Marriage Scam
Two Navy veterans were spared from additional incarceration after leading a fraudulent plan to bring Chinese immigrants to U.S. military bases illegally.
Feds pay out $17M to families sickened by Navy’s fuel-contaminated water in Hawaii
The Department of Justice has issued about $17 million in payments to 629 people, mostly military family members, in connection with the toxic fuel spills that poisoned their water in Hawaii in 2021. These are the first payments for settlements resolving about 3,600 claims resulting from the poisoned water, which caused numerous health problems for military families living in military housing, and...[Read More]
Feds remind states about law protecting military spouse job licenses
In the face of “concerning trends,” the Justice Department last month wrote to state occupational licensing authorities, reminding them of their responsibilities under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to make it easier for spouses and service members to transfer occupational licenses when they move to another state. The SCRA provides for service members and their spouses to continue to use prof...[Read More]
Feds remind states about law protecting military spouse job licenses
In the face of “concerning trends,” the Justice Department last month wrote to state occupational licensing authorities, reminding them of their responsibilities under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to make it easier for spouses and service members to transfer occupational licenses when they move to another state. The SCRA provides for service members and their spouses to continue to use prof...[Read More]
Feds sue towing company for allegedly illegally auctioning off troops’ cars — including many towed from base
The Justice Department has filed suit against a California towing company for allegedly illegally auctioning off service members’ vehicles — many of which had been towed from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Justice officials allege that S & K Towing Inc., of San Clemente, California, violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act by selling or disposing of as many as 148 vehicles without a cou...[Read More]
Female sailors can now purchase new dress overblouse, Navy announces
SAN DIEGO — The Navy announced that the second phase of their female sailor uniform update is available for purchase at select in-person Navy Exchange Service Command locations, as well as online. The optional service dress white long-sleeved overblouse, for wear with the service dress blue uniform, is available in Virginia at NEX Norfolk and NEX Arlington and in NEX San Diego, California, uniform...[Read More]
Female troops bristle at Pentagon’s review of combat roles
This much we know: at least 154 women have earned the vaunted black-and-gold Ranger tab, according to U.S. Army data from early 2025. Ranger School is designed to push soldiers to their limits. It demands peak performance while sleep deprived and hungry. A swim test conducted in full uniform. A five-mile run in no more than 40 minutes. A 12-mile foot march lugging a 35-pound rucksack. And that’s j...[Read More]
Fewer service members died by suicide in 2024 than year prior, report finds
Editor’s note: 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.net. A Department of Defense suicide report found that 471 service members died by suicide in calendar year 2024, down from 531 in 2023, according to the report relea...[Read More]
Fincantieri is itching to build more ships for the US Navy
ROME — Fincantieri is ready to build everything from corvettes and unmanned vessels to ice breakers and cable laying ships for the U.S. government as it rebounds from the cancellation of the Constellation frigate program, a senior official has said. “We are ready to take on complex shipbuilding,” George Moutafis, the CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group, told Defense News. Fincantieri was ramping up pr...[Read More]
Fincantieri is itching to build more ships for the US Navy
ROME — Fincantieri is ready to build everything from corvettes and unmanned vessels to ice breakers and cable laying ships for the U.S. government as it rebounds from the cancellation of the Constellation frigate program, a senior official has said. “We are ready to take on complex shipbuilding,” George Moutafis, the CEO of Fincantieri Marine Group, told Defense News. Fincantieri was ramping up pr...[Read More]
Fincantieri predicts strong growth despite ding to US warship business
ROME — Italian shipyard Fincantieri will boost revenue by 40%, hit profits of €500 million ($593 million) and double its defense production in Italy by 2030 as global defense spending booms, the firm has said. In a new business plan covering 2026-2030, the Italian state-controlled yard said it expected annual revenue to rise from €9 billion in 2025 to €12.5 billion in 2030, while it will book €50 ...[Read More]