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Hegseth authorizes off-duty service members to carry private firearms on installations
April 3, 2026 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum directing military installation commanders to allow War Department personnel to request to carry privately owned firearms while in their nonofficial duty capacity on DOW property within the United States. ... MORE

An aerial, daylight view looking down on a large, five-sided building with a large courtyard in the background.

Hegseth, VA Secretary honor Vietnam War vets
March 30, 2026 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Doug Collins, Veterans Affairs secretary, were joined by dozens of former service members, Gold Star family members and others at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington for a ceremony in recognition of National Vietnam War Veterans Day March 29... MORE

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stands at a lectern outdoors and speaks to a seated crowd.

Hegseth announces reforms to Chaplain Corps
March 26, 2026 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced reforms to the military's Chaplain Corps, saying the department will be streamlining the number of faith code affiliations for service members and that the department will replace the rank insignia military chaplains wear on uniforms with their religious insignia... MORE

A plaque on a wall reads "Department of War."

War Department extends invitation to bring back troops separated for refusing COVID-19 vaccine
March 23, 2026 — Service members forced to leave the military for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine now have an extra year to return to the service, if they so choose, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said... MORE

A group of Marines are shown in silhouette standing near a tactical vehicle.

DAF completes records review for COVID-related separations
March 20, 2026 — The DAF recently conducted a proactive review and upgrade of personnel records, identifying 377 who were involuntarily discharged solely for declining the COVID-19 vaccination, ensuring individuals who met the eligibility requirements receive the full amount of post-service benefits... MORE

Hegseth calls for assessment, alignment of DOW legal functions, operations
March 13, 2026 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called on the joint forces service secretaries to work through their general counsels to conduct a "ruthless, no-excuses review" of the War Department's assorted legal support functions and operations... MORE

Hegseth says there's no shortage of American will, resources in Operation Epic Fury
March 6, 2026 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said there is no shortage of American will, nor is there a shortage of materiel, when it comes to U.S. kinetic engagement against the Iranian terrorist regime during Operation Epic Fury... MORE

A fighter jet touches down on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier; the ship's tall, multileveled superstructure is in the background.

Hegseth says 'Epic Fury' goals in Iran are 'laser-focused'
March 2, 2026 — American forces in the U.S. Central Command area of operations have been involved in an intense bombing campaign against Iran — Operation Epic Fury — that has already resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei... MORE

A missile launches from a ship in an open body of water during daytime, emitting smoke and orange flames.

Acquisition reform means a focus on Warfighter success
February 27, 2026 — The War Department aims to modernize how acquisition — the buying of weapons and other materiel from manufacturers — is done to ensure American warfighters get the best tools, at the right price, and as quickly as possible. ... MORE

An aerial photo of the Pentagon and surrounding buildings.

Hegseth calls for military unity across Western Hemisphere at inaugural defense chiefs gathering
February 12, 2026 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called on defense chiefs and other senior military leaders from 34 Western Hemisphere countries to unite in deterrence against bad actors who may already be operating in, or working to encroach upon, the region... MORE

DOW restructures foreign military sales, prioritizes speed, efficiency
February 10, 2026 — The War Department has moved two agencies critical to getting American-made combat gear into the hands of allied and partner nations under the department's Office of Acquisition and Sustainment. ... MORE

People guide a forklift carrying a wooden box into the open nose of a large aircraft at night.

Hegseth establishes Personal Property Activity to ensure successful PCS moves
January 26, 2026 — The War Department's Personal Property Activity will stand up this summer as a permanent fix of the myriad woes service members and their families have experienced during permanent change of station moves... MORE

Three men dressed in casual attire unload a large item wrapped in brown paper off of a truck.

$1,776 'Warrior Dividend' tax-free, IRS confirms
January 20, 2026 — The Internal Revenue Service confirmed that the $1,776 "Warrior Dividend" more than 1.5 million service members received last year, at the direction of President Donald J. Trump, would be tax-free. ... MORE

Soldiers, shown from behind in silhouette, look over arid, hilly terrain against a sunny, blue sky.

'It's not just the door kickers,' Hegseth says on tour in support of defense industrial workers
January 13, 2026 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth spoke of the Pentagon's commitment to investing in a defense industrial base that is loyal to supporting America's service members and civilians who support the Constitution... MORE

A person standing in front of a fighter jet parked indoors addresses a crowd of people, with an American flag and a sign reading "The Arsenal of Freedom" in the background.

Air Force updates fitness test requirements
January 7, 2026 — Changes from the September 2025 announcement include a shortened physical fitness diagnostic testing period to end in June and the option for either the 2-mile run or the 20-meter High Aerobic Multi-shuttle Run every six months... MORE

Secretary of War honors top USAF, USSF recruiters
December 31, 2025 — Six Department of the Air Force recruiting professionals, including one from Joint Base San Antonio, were recognized for outstanding performance across the recruiting enterprise during fiscal year 2025 at a senior-level Department of War event held at the Pentagon... MORE

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth poses for a photo with troops at the Department of War’s Recruiting Excellence Forum at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 2025. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

War Department reevaluates discharge characterizations for COVID-19 Vaccine Refusal
December 16, 2025 — For service members involuntarily discharged solely for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine, the War Department has ordered a reevaluation of their discharge status to see who might be eligible for an upgrade to an honorable discharge... MORE

A close-up view of the bottom of a mock service member's separation from DD-214 is shown with the word "honorable" written in the characterization of service block.

Hegseth introduces department to new AI tool
December 10, 2025 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced GenAI.mil, a secure generative AI platform for every member of the Department of War, in an email to the department... MORE

Hegseth outlines new National Defense Strategy during speech at Reagan Library
December 8, 2025 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth presented a preview of the War Department's forthcoming National Defense Strategy during a keynote speech, outlining four lines of effort for the department to take, so as to guarantee peace through strength for the U.S. and its allies in the coming years... MORE

A man in a business suit stands at a lectern on a stage, speaking into a microphone. A close-up video projection of the man is being broadcast on a large screen next to him. People with their backs to the camera are sitting in the audience watching the man.

Hegseth directs task force to oversee department-wide barracks improvement
December 5, 2025 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directed in a memorandum that a barracks task force be stood up to develop a departmentwide investment plan for barracks improvements and report its progress to him within 30 days. ... MORE

Five troops in camouflage uniforms and white hardhats smile as they hold shovels of dirt.