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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.

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.

Senior Air, Space Force leaders discuss defense of homeland
February 26, 2026 — The War Department's 2026 National Defense Strategy prioritizes defending the homeland as its first line of effort. At the Air and Space Forces Association's warfare symposium in Colorado, three senior Air and Space Force generals discussed how their respective combatant commands are working to do that... MORE

Three men wearing camouflage military uniforms sit on a stage in white chairs; two are holding microphones while the other claps with a microphone in his lap.

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

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

$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.

War Department asks industry to make more than 300K drones, quickly, cheaply
December 3, 2025 — The War Department requested information to gauge industry's willingness and ability to make some 300,000 drones quickly and inexpensively — a concrete effort by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to directly meet the "drone dominance" goals laid out by the president... MORE

A Marine in tactical gear reaches up towards a drone flying above a forest setting during the day.

Hegseth: Designating Venezuelan cartel as terrorist organization will bring 'new options' to administration
November 24, 2025 — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said plans to declare Venezuela's state-embedded criminal network Cartel de los Soles a terrorist organization will bring "a whole bunch of new options" to how the U.S. deals with narco-terrorists in that region... MORE

An overhead view of a group of four Navy warships steaming across the ocean in the daytime. A handful of military aircraft fly above them.

War Department narrows technology development focus to half dozen areas
November 20, 2025 — Directed energy, hypersonics and artificial intelligence are among the six technology focus areas for the War Department meant to ensure America's warfighters will quickly have what's needed to fight and win on the battlefield. ... MORE

A combat vehicle is outdoors in a desert environment in the evening.

President Trump, senior Pentagon leaders honor 9/11 victims, first responders
September 12, 2025 — President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, honored victims and first responders of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks during a ceremony in the Pentagon courtyard... MORE

A large American flag hangs off the side of a large, five-story building at sunrise. Service members in military attire face the flag and stand at attention.

President Trump renames DOD to Department of War
September 8, 2025 — President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order changing the Defense Department's name to the Department of War as a secondary title... MORE

Trump, Zelenskyy, world leaders meet at White House to negotiate peace deal
August 19, 2025 — President Donald J. Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a host of European leaders Aug. 18 to discuss how the ongoing violent war between Russia and Ukraine might be resolved... MORE

Two men wearing business attire sit next to each other in chairs at the front of a room. To their left and right, other men sit on sofas.

Enlisted recruiting numbers up over last 6 months, official says
August 18, 2025 — Americans across the country are enlisting to fight for the nation, Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said at a briefing... MORE

Civilians in black shirts and blue jeans raise their right hand as troops in formation stand at attention while a soldier raising his right hand stands in front of the formation.

Pentagon provides update on southern border, recruitment numbers
July 3, 2025 — Approximately 8,500 military personnel attached to Joint Task Force Southern Border continue to enhance U.S. Customs and Border Protection's ability to identify, track and disrupt threats to security at the southern border, the Defense Department announced... MORE

A man in civilian business attire is standing behind a podium in a room, speaking to a group of people with their backs to the camera. There is an American flag to his left and a sign on the wall behind him with a drawing of a five-sided building that reads, “The Pentagon.”

DOD 'capability review' to analyze where military aid goes, ensure America is first
July 3, 2025 — The capability review is being conducted to ensure U.S. military aid aligns with the defense priorities, Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said during a briefing... MORE

NATO leaders pledge to increase defense spending
June 26, 2025 — During a press briefing on the last day of the NATO Summit in The Hague, Netherlands, President Donald J. Trump emphasized the need for all member states to share the financial burden of European defense spending... MORE

The NATO secretary general and U.S. president sit in chairs for a briefing.

Defense secretary orders additional remedies, more clarity on COVID-19 reinstatements
April 24, 2025 — The defense secretary signed a memorandum directing more clarity regarding the department's efforts to reinstate service members kicked out for not taking the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as additional remedies for those service members... MORE

The defense secretary signs a document in an office.

Interagency land agreement strengthens military border mission
April 18, 2025 — The Army is expected to accept jurisdiction of land along the border between New Mexico and Mexico, which will become part of a national defense area — a specified piece of federal land over which DOD maintains administrative authority and jurisdiction... MORE

Eight people in camouflage uniforms walk along a gravel road with a large fence in the background.

Defense Secretary says full control of southern border equals 'Mission Accomplishment'
February 3, 2025 — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that full control of the southern border is the goal of the current administration and all of the intergovernmental agencies working to enforce border security... MORE

Two soldiers in camouflage uniforms are standing at the edge of a road near a van labeled “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”

DOD orders 1,500 troops, additional assets to southern border
January 23, 2025 — The Defense Department is sending 1,500 active duty service members and additional air and intelligence assets to the southern border to augment troops already conducting enforcement operations in that region, Acting Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses said... MORE

A five-sided building is photographed from above.

Trump names acting secretary of defense, designates acting service secretaries
January 22, 2025 — President Donald J. Trump named Robert Salesses as acting secretary of defense pending the confirmation of Pete Hegseth for the position... MORE