News
In an effort to improve the quality of life for military personnel and their families, the Defense Manpower Data Center has expanded its online uniformed services identification card issuance system to include overseas dependents of service members.
With two opportunities to apply for a deferred resignation and a hiring freeze in effect for the majority of its civilian career fields, the Defense Department is working toward successfully implementing its workforce acceleration and recapitalization initiative, primarily using voluntary reductions in force.
Yesterday, military leaders across the force were issued guidance from the Defense Department on how to proceed with separating, voluntarily or involuntarily, service members with a diagnosis or history of, or exhibiting symptoms consistent with, gender dysphoria.
SENIOR DEFENSE OFFICIAL: Thanks. Good morning, everyone. Thanks for joining us. We appreciate your time. Last week, the Supreme Court granted a stay of the preliminary injunction issued in Shilling v United States, and that allows the Department of Defense to implement its policy concerning service members with a current diagnosis or history of or exhibiting symptoms consistent with gender dysphoria.
Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness: Implementation Guidance
Army 1st Lt. Robert Turner Waugh died roughly one week after his hard-charging actions during World War II knocked out several enemy positions and helped break a German defensive line in Italy.
In his January 29, 2025 memorandum, "Restoring America's Fighting Force," the Secretary of Defense directed the Department to eliminate "any program, element, or initiative that was established to promote divisive concepts ... or gender ideology,"
The Military Service Academies (MSA) are elite warfighting institutions with long histories of producing world class military officers. The Department owes it to our Nation, our Service members, and the young Americans applying to the MSAs to ensure admissions to these prestigious institutions are based exclusively on merit.
Today the Secretary of Defense directed the Secretaries of the Military Departments to certify their admissions are race-, ethnicity-, and sex-blind. Within 30 days, the Military Service Academies (MSAs) must confirm that admission will be based exclusively on merit for the 2026 admissions cycle and beyond. The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness will oversee compliance with this guidance.
The Defense Department celebrates Public Service Recognition Week, observed annually during the first week of May since 1985, to honor federal, state, county, local and tribal government employees who serve the nation. This year, the Pentagon recognized members of its civilian workforce for their vital contributions to national security.
Statement by Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and Senior Advisor Sean Parnell:
Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) honors the important contributions of public servants at all levels of government. Celebrated annually during the first week of May since 1985, it provides an opportunity for the nation to recognize and thank this capable workforce,
The Department of Defense is committed to ensuring the lethality of U.S. Military Forces to deter threats and, when necessary , achieve decisive victory. To accomplish this mission, we must cultivate exceptional senior leaders who drive innovation and operational excellence, unencumbered by unnecessary bureaucratic layers that hinder their growth and effectiveness.
Even before arriving at the Pentagon, Jan. 27, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made clear his vision for reshaping the U.S. military.
Just a day after being confirmed by the Senate, the new secretary released a message to the force outlining his plans. Charged by President Donald J. Trump to deliver "peace through strength," Hegseth said he'd accomplish that by restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military and reestablishing deterrence.
Navy Lt. John James Powers knew that dive-bombing ships was a dangerous way to deploy explosives against the Japanese during World War II. The maneuver went above and beyond the call of duty, but he wanted to ensure the success of his missions. Powers lost his life while using the tactic and received a posthumous Medal of Honor for his bravery and leadership.
The Army confirmed it will implement a new space domain-related enlisted military occupational specialty by next fall, the service's top space officer announced during a media briefing at the Pentagon today.
The Defense Department's annual report on sexual assault in the military for fiscal year 2024 shows a clear connection between sexual violence and impacts on readiness in the uniformed services, DOD's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office's senior leader said yesterday.
MODERATOR: Good morning and welcome. Before we get started on today's on-the-record interview, I want to cover some ground rules. Today we will cover details on the department's release of the Fiscal Year 2024 Department of Defense Annual report on Sexual Assault in the Military. We are recording the interview and will publish a transcript later today.
The Department of Defense (DoD) released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military today. This year's report, which is required annually by Congress, contains sexual assault reporting data and provides an update on the Department's efforts to prevent sexual assault, enhance victim care and support, and improve compliance with policy and law.
To maintain a lethal and ready force, leaders must be empowered to make tough decisions, enforce standards, and restore good order and discipline through balanced accountability.
Under the leadership of Secretary Hegseth, the Department of Defense has acted swiftly to support Service members and veterans negatively impacted by the Department’s previous coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine mandate.
The standards for accession into the U.S. military are high, uncompromising, and clear. Young Americans seeking to serve in the greatest fighting force in history must be physically and mentally capable of performing their duties in the harshest conditions.
Navy Midshipmen football senior safety Rayuan Lane III was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, April 26, 2025, in the sixth round of the NFL draft, which took place in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Lane is the 19th U.S. Naval Academy graduate drafted by the NFL and the first defensive back.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum, April 24, 2025, directing a comprehensive review of medical conditions that disqualify individuals from joining the military.
High, uncompromising, and clear standards are a hallmark of the U.S. military and are essential to helping us remain the most lethal and effective fighting force in the world. To uphold these standards, and ensure that our warfighters are capable and ready, no matter the domain, adversary, or conditions
Navy Capt. Michael John Estocin flew many perilous missions in the early days of the Vietnam War, and a close call in April 1967 didn't dissuade him from returning to the skies for combat. While he never came home from his last mission, he posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his bravery and devotion.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told young military leaders, April 23, 2025, that since January, the Defense Department has focused entirely on restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military and reestablishing deterrence.
The Secretary of Defense has directed each of the Military Departments to immediately begin conducting a comprehensive review of their Military Equal Opportunity (MEO) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) programs and processes.
The defense secretary today 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.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth summarized the Defense Department's accomplishments over the first 100 days of his tenure this morning as he addressed senior-level military student leaders at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Pete Dawkins has lived a full life as an athlete, combat veteran and business executive, but at age 11 in 1949, things looked grim for him when he contracted polio.
Army Capt. Daniel Ken Inouye's time in the military was just the start of a storied public service career that spanned more than half a century. During World War II, Inouye proved his dedication to the U.S. through battle. That loyalty was honored decades later when a review of his record determined he should receive the Medal of Honor.
On April 18, 1942, a small group of Army Air Forces aviators changed the momentum of World War II with a single, audacious strike. Known as the Doolittle Raid, this operation — launched from the deck of the USS Hornet — was the first U.S. air attack on Japan's home islands.
For the Military Health System, readiness is a strategic imperative to ensure warfighter dominance, survivability and resilience, said Stephen Ferrara, performing the duties of the assistant secretary of defense for health affairs.
Johnny Cash's signature songs include "Song of the Patriot," "I've Been Everywhere," "Ragged Old Flag," "The Ballad of Ira Hayes," "I Walk the Line," "Ring of Fire," "Rock Island Line," and "Man in Black."
The Defense Department released a new report to Congress showing the number of both fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses among service members dropped by more than 40% from 2021 to 2023.
At age 34, Army Maj. Dexter James Kerstetter was considered an old man when he enlisted to fight in World War II. His fellow soldiers called him "Pop," and they came to rely on him for survival and inspiration, especially as the Allies fought to retake the Philippines in 1945.
The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force met their contracting goals for new recruits last year and expect to do so again this year. At the same time, military personnel leaders said they are undergoing transformations with an eye toward lethality.
The Defense Department is taking significant steps to reinstate service members who were discharged due to the now-rescinded COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
MODERATOR: Thanks for joining us today. We had one update. This backgrounder is now on the record. You can attribute this information to Mr. Tim Dill, who is performing the duties of the deputy undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
The Department is expanding its approach to workforce optimization — broadening the aperture from right-sizing and structural efficiencies to also supercharging our civilian workforce.
Throughout his military career, Army Sgt. 1st Class Paul Ray Smith was known to be a stickler for the rules. That focus on preparation helped save the lives of more than 100 U.S.
A nine-member Defense Department task force headed by Jules W. Hurst III, an Army veteran who is performing the duties of undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, will visit numerous military installations, including military service academies, in April and early May.
The Brigade of Midshipmen greeted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth April 1, 2025, when he arrived at the U.S. Naval Academy's King Hall in Annapolis, Maryland, for their noon meal.
Within the armed forces, a variety of educational benefits are available that allow service members to both improve themselves and make themselves more valuable to their service branch.
During the hiring freeze directed by the Secretary, the Department of Defense will continue to hire the civilians that support the lethality of the Total Force.
One of the Defense Department's core priorities is restoring the warrior ethos across the military. Ensuring service men and women are in good mental health is one of the fastest ways to ensure warfighters are ready and focused on the important missions that lie ahead.
The strength of our military is rooted in its high standards – they are the foundation of our military's power projection. To ensure the U.S. military remains the strongest and most lethal fighting force on the planet, the Secretary of Defense directed the Military Departments to ensure their physical fitness standards support this enduring goal.
When the enemy attacked, Army 1st Lt. Brian Miles Thacker knew the troops at his small Vietnamese firebase would be overrun, but he refused to let them get trapped.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum yesterday directing the realignment of the Defense Department's civilian workforce.
More efficient and faster acquisition, better technology and military hardware, and better medical care to keep service members healthy were among the commitments made on Capitol Hill today by three Defense Department nominees.