All articles tagged with #service members
The Defense Health Agency Usability Lab is seeking active duty service members and family, as well as National Guard and Reserve members, to participate in a remote usability study of tricare.mil from Dec. 2025 to Feb. 2026, aiming to improve website navigation, content clarity, and self-service options. Interested participants can email to join by Jan. 30, 2026.
Four soldiers from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment died in a training aircraft accident on September 17. The soldiers, recognized for their bravery and dedication, are being mourned by the military community, with investigations into the cause ongoing.
The Pentagon is reviewing social media posts by U.S. service members related to Charlie Kirk's assassination, leading to investigations and suspensions, amid debates over free speech and military discipline.
Experts highlight legal challenges the Pentagon faces in punishing service members for social media posts criticizing Charlie Kirk, noting that First Amendment rights and the scope of the UCMJ limit potential disciplinary actions, despite political pressure and investigations.
The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act has been passed by both the House and Senate, authorizing a 5.2% pay raise for service members and civilian defense employees. The bill also includes provisions such as increased family separation allowance and changes to eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance. Additionally, the act authorizes the Navy to enter into multiyear procurement contracts for submarines and allows the Department of Defense to enter into multiyear procurement contracts for rare earth elements. The Pentagon urges Congress to pass its supplemental budget request to support American partner nations and invest in the defense industrial base.
The Senate and House Armed Services committees have released a $886.3 billion defense bill that includes the largest raise for service members in over two decades, extends a controversial surveillance program, and strengthens the US posture in the Indo-Pacific region to deter Chinese actions. The bill does not include provisions related to abortion and transgender health care access but includes measures aimed at "ending wokeness in the military." It also provides support for service members and their families, authorizes the use of psychedelic substances and cannabis for clinical trials, and addresses issues related to warrantless surveillance, China aggression, and Covid-19 vaccine mandates.
The compromise annual defense bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), includes a 5.2% pay raise for service members starting in January, making it the largest increase in over two decades. The raise aligns with what the Biden administration requested and is expected to easily pass Congress. The bill also includes provisions to address junior service members' finances, such as allowing monthly bonuses for those affected by economic conditions and providing flexibility in adjusting the Basic Allowance for Housing. However, efforts to boost pay for E-6s and below to ensure a minimum equivalent of $15 per hour were unsuccessful.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden kicked off the Thanksgiving holiday week by visiting naval installations in Virginia. They introduced an early screening of the movie "Wonka" and shared a "friendsgiving" meal with service members and their families. The Bidens served dinner to service members from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the USS Gerald R. Ford at Norfolk Naval Station, emphasizing the importance of the military and expressing gratitude for their service. The event also marked the passing of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, with Jill Biden asking attendees to include the Carter family in their prayers. The Bidens have made it a tradition to celebrate Friendsgiving with the military, and they plan to spend Thanksgiving on Nantucket.
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump both spent time with service members ahead of Thanksgiving. Biden attended a film screening and hosted a Friendsgiving event for service members and their families in Virginia, while Trump served meals to Texas National Guard soldiers and other officials stationed at the border. Biden's wife, Jill Biden, mourned the passing of former first lady Rosalynn Carter and highlighted her efforts on mental health and caregiving. Trump was endorsed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and criticized Biden's handling of border security.
President Joe Biden honored the 13 U.S. service members who were killed in a terrorist attack during the withdrawal from Afghanistan two years ago. He also acknowledged the more than 100 Afghan civilians who lost their lives in the same attack. Biden's administration has faced criticism for the chaotic withdrawal, with Republicans like Sen. Lindsey Graham calling for his impeachment. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy ordered the flags at the U.S. Capitol to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the fallen servicemen and women.