Panetta Introduces Initiatives to Fight Sexual Assault in the Military
TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — The Pentagon proposed initiatives Monday aimed at curtailing sexual assault in the armed forces. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced the measures on Capitol Hill after closed-door meetings on the issue wit…
Syria Claims It Will Suspend Military Operations Thursday
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — Syria says it will halt military operations and government forces will lay down their weapons by early Thursday morning, the deadline for a United Nations-brokered peace deal, according to envoy Kofi Annan.Reports,…
Two Service Members in Custody After Explosives Found in Truck
Thinkstock/Getty Images(REDONDO BEACH, Calif.) — Two active duty members of the military were taken into custody in Redondo Beach, Calif., Thursday evening for having multiple “flash bang” explosives in the back of their pick-up truck, according to of…
‘Hero’ US Soldier Gives Life to Save Afghan Girl
U.S. Army(WASHINGTON) — It is a compelling war-zone story of heroism of a U.S. soldier who gave his own life to save an Afghan girl from certain injury.Sgt. Dennis Weichel, 29, died in Afghanistan last week as he lifted an Afghan girl who was in the p…
Military Investigates Showboating in Helicopter Crash
Tim Hawley/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. military is investigating whether an attack helicopter pilot was “showing off” when he made a low pass over a remote Afghan outpost and then slammed violently into the ground, according to a d…
The Dark Side of Military-Funded Neuroscience
US Army(NEW YORK) — By unlocking the mysteries of the mind, neuroscientists have opened the door to revolutionary technology — technology that the American military hopes to harness. From keeping troops more alert during exhausting missions to engine…
Afghan Killing Suspect Meets With Lawyer for First Time
United States Army(WASHINGTON) — Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, who allegedly shot and killed 16 Afghan villagers, including nine children, during a nighttime rampage, is meeting with his lawyers for the first time Monday. Bales has yet to be charged, altho…
Military Mom’s Story Has Romney Questioning How Obama Sleeps
Joe Raedle/Getty Images(BEAVERCREEK, Ohio) — After a military mother told him her daughter doesn’t understand her mission in the Air Force, Mitt Romney questioned how President Obama can “sleep at night,” knowing troops overseas don&…
Veterans for Ron Paul Rally at White House
Yoon S. Byun/The Boston Globe via Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Current and former service members staged a rally outside the White House Monday in support of Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul.Several hundred troops and their supporters attended…
Syrian Military General Assassinated by Armed Terrorist Group
JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty Images(BEIRUT) — A senior military general was assassinated Saturday outside his home in Damascus by an armed terrorist group, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.Brig. Gen. Issa al-Khouli, who was the head of a Syrian milita…
Rick Santorum’s Comments on Women in Combat Arouse Public
DoD photo by Staff Sgt. James Lieth, U.S. Air Force(WASHINGTON) — Rick Santorum’s comments that “the front line of combat” is not the best place for women appear to put the Republican presidential candidate on the other side of publi…
On Women in Combat, Rick Santorum Meant to Say ‘Men’s Emotional Issues’
Whitney Curtis/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Rick Santorum raised some eyebrows by saying women should not be in combat because of the “the types of emotions involved.” Now, Santorum says, he is also concerned about “physical strength a…
Pentagon Eases Restrictions on Women Serving in the Military
Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — America’s fighting women are getting closer to the front lines.The Pentagon announced rule changes Thursday regarding the roles of women in the military that must first be approved by Congress before taking…
Military Servicemembers at Increased Risk for Eating Disorders
Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Mounting evidence suggests that eating disorders are higher among servicemembers than among civilians.While there’s not enough substantial data collected to quantify the prevalence of eating disorders among service…
Pentagon to Lift Some Restrictions on Women in Combat
Comstock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The Pentagon on Thursday will propose rule changes that will allow more women to formally serve in jobs closer to the front lines. Defense officials say as many as 14,000 positions could be opened up, though the restr…
One Dead in Mountain Warfare Training Center Blast
Hemera Technologies/Thinkstock(COLEVILLE, Calif.) — One person was killed and six people were injured Friday after a propane gas leak ignited in a military housing neighborhood in Coleville, Calif.The leak ignited due to “unknown causes,” …
US Aims to Switch Away from Combat in Afghanistan Next Year
TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images(BRUSSELS, Belgium) — American troops will still leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, but Defense Secretary Leon Panetta laid out a plan Wednesday that by late next year U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan could switch from …
Sandia Labs’ Self-Guided Bullet for Future Soldiers
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) — War is ugly, chaotic business, and even the best shot in the U.S. military often misses in the heat of battle. Tests show that the average rifle bullet, aimed at a target half a mile away, will miss by 30 fe…
Pentagon: Fewer Soldiers, More Drones Will Save Money
TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta detailed Thursday how the Obama administration plans to achieve $487 billion in cuts over the next decade, in part by reducing the number of ships, planes and troops but continuin…
New Pentagon Strategy Calls for Leaner, But Still Dominant, Military
iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The Pentagon’s new military strategy unveiled Thursday will result in a “smaller and leaner” military force, but one that President Obama insists will maintain America’s military superiority…