Military News

Will the Trump administration be able to continue rebuilding our military? That depends in large measure on whether Congress passes the National Defense Authorization Act for the upcoming fiscal year. In his inaugural hearing as the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., delivered a message of committee unity and commitment…

In normal usage, “discrimination” is an ugly word. But discrimination has two meanings. The first and more familiar definition is “the treatment of a person or particular group of people differently, in a way that is worse than the way people are usually treated.” Discrimination of that sort is clearly unacceptable. The second, less common…

Despair filled the eyes of the mother next to me in the Senate committee hearing room as she showed me a picture of her son. She explained he will need lifelong medical care because she was unknowingly exposed to lead paint and mold in her home during her pregnancy. To my surprise, she wasn’t living…

Amid reports that Russia is developing new cruise and ballistic missiles—including one that violates the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty—and assessments that North Korea now has a missile that can reach the United States, President Donald Trump visited the Pentagon on Thursday to release a report on America’s preparedness to combat global missile threats, the 2019…

November is Military Families Month and today we’re recognizing the achievements of R. Riveter, a handbag company founded and run by military spouses. On today’s show, we feature an interview with Lisa Bradley, a finalist for this year’s Small Business Award for Veteran and Military Spouse Employment from Hiring Our Heroes.  Bradley, along with fellow military spouse…

Americans often assume their military is the strongest in the world, capable of handling any threats that come its way. But a new report by the National Defense Strategy Commission challenges that idea. It points out how significantly the U.S. military has deteriorated, placing the U.S. in an increasingly precarious position compared to its potential…

The Air Force recently came under scrutiny for spending $1,280 apiece on hot cups. The cups have become a symbol of two facts that shape our military: The military needs to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars, and an older military leads to increased costs. The cups in question were being used in KC-10…

With a so-called “caravan” of several thousand individuals trekking through Mexico and bound for the U.S., President Donald Trump is considering the option of sending U.S. troops to help close the southern border. Here are the basics of how the military can and can’t be used at the border. What laws govern the use of…

We place a lot of demands on our fine military, and the good news is—at home and in many places around the world—it’s meeting those demands. Now the bad news: We’re wearing it out. After 17 years of continuous combat operations, it’s in desperate need of a rebuild. To be sure, Congress recently provided some…

In recent years, perhaps no one has felt the pinch of budget cuts more than the U.S. military. Though Congress must remain responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, injudicious cuts to defense did unnecessary damage to our armed forces. Thanks to recent action from Congress, however, the military has cause for optimism. Congress took the first…

This past weekend, a competitor at a video game competition in Jacksonville, Florida, allegedly opened fire on fellow gamers, killing two and wounding 10 before taking his own life. It appears that, like so many mass public shooters before him, current gun laws should have been enough to prevent him from possessing firearms. And once…

The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, as approved in conference and passed by the House on July 26, will continue the progress begun in fiscal year 2018 in rebuilding the capacity, capabilities, and readiness of the U.S. military services. In so doing, it will enable them to regain their competitive…

The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year  2019, which is the reconciliation of earlier House and Senate versions, is good news for the military. It grants the Defense Department and the military services some significant new authorities to assist in rebuilding the armed forces. Additionally, on several issues, Congress wisely chose to…

Frank Carlucci III, who served under every president from Richard Nixon to Ronald Reagan, died June 3 at his home in McLean, Virginia. He was 87. Carlucci, who dedicated much of his adult life to serving the American people and became well-known for his bravery, conservatism, and problem-solving approach, served as the 15th national security…