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To support and enable the people who serve in defense of our nation
A resilient, and ready DoW community
We are on a mission to ensure a strong, adaptable, and ready force supported through exceptional policy, programs, & services
Change the Culture | Promote the Health, Well-Being, and Safety of the Force and Families | Cultivate Talent Management | Advance Strategic Readiness
Soldiers and airmen from the Tennessee National Guard are delivering essential sustainment support to the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, Joint Task Force District of Columbia, mission by ensuring guard members remain equipped, supplied and ready to safeguard the nation's capital.
Army Pfc. Ernest William Prussman fearlessly led his squad into battle as the Allies pushed into Europe to free the continent from tyranny during World War II. Prussman didn't survive the mission, but his bravery demoralized the enemy and helped several battalions move forward. For his actions, Prussman was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor.
President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order today changing the Defense Department's name to the Department of War as a secondary title.
The Department of Defense, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, today awarded Yuma Elementary School District One a $8,030,235 grant as the federal share of a larger $10,037,794 project to construct a new James D. Price Elementary School at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.
You have endured, and when you endure, character is developed, which leads to hope, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the graduating class of Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, today.
With hundreds of military hospitals and clinics, dental clinics, veterinary clinics, research facilities and so much more, the Defense Health Agency footprint spans 44 U.S. states and territories and more than 10 countries worldwide.
Airmen assigned to 168th Medical Group, Alaska Air National Guard, engaged in an advanced, rigorous, combat casualty care exercise designed to sharpen their skills in delivering lifesaving care under hostile conditions at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Aug. 5, 2025.
During a press conference at the White House today, President Donald J. Trump announced that U.S. Space Command — one of the Defense Department's 11 unified combatant commands — would be relocating from Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, to the Army's Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.
During the early days of the Korean War, Army Capt. Frederick Funston Henry chose to take the brunt of an enemy attack alone so the rest of his platoon could survive. For his gallant actions and self-sacrifice, Henry received a posthumous Medal of Honor.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth honored a local police department today for being a recipient of the 2025 Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award during a city hall ceremony in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Military spouses from across the joint force joined the Permanent Change of Station Joint Task Force for a virtual town hall, Aug. 27, to share their input on their experiences regarding household goods.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he anticipates that a Defense Department special review panel looking into the circumstances surrounding the Aug. 26, 2021, suicide bombing attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, should be ready to present its findings by sometime in mid-2026.
On the fourth anniversary of the terrorist attack at Abbey Gate on August 26, 2021, the Department of Defense pauses to honor the 13 brave U.S. service members who made the ultimate sacrifice during the U.S. military's withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Army Lt. Col. Gayle Ryan, Delaware National Guard's general surgeon, is at the heart of the Kosovo Forces Regional Command-East medical operations at Camp Bondsteel. She oversees medical readiness initiatives and emergency care for over 1,500 troops deployed throughout the region.
Effective immediately, the Mexican Border Defense Medal is established to recognize service members deployed to the U.S. international border with Mexico for Defense Department support to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in an Aug. 13 memorandum.
Defense Department civilians can now apply for details of up to six months with the Department of Homeland Security to help support President Donald J. Trump's priority of securing the southern border.
Service members assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, known as Task Force Forge, assumed operational responsibilities last month from 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, known as Task Force Sapper,
Marine Corps Sgt. Robert Emmett O'Malley embodied the Marine ethos of honor, courage and commitment. During heavy fighting in the Vietnam War in 1965, he was more concerned about saving the lives of those around him than his own. His actions led him to become the service's first Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient.
Earlier this year the Defense Department reported that every military service had met recruitment goals early. But what's also notable is that more women are joining the military now than in the past.
Approximately 7,000 soldiers from around the Army Reserve are training at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, as a part of the Combat Support Training Exercise 25, Global Strike, an annual exercise designed to prepare reserve soldiers for the transforming battlefield of the future.
On Aug. 11, President Donald J. Trump declared a crime emergency in the nation's capital and vowed to make streets there safe again. The National Guard is now playing a big part in that effort, assisting both federal and local law enforcement personnel in enforcing existing laws and taking violent criminals off the streets.
Americans across the country are enlisting to fight for the nation, Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said at a briefing today.
The Permanent Change of Station Joint Task Force met yesterday with movers, shippers and logistics providers during Industry Day to gather input on improving the Household Goods Relocation Program.
Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, recently received hands-on basic rifle marksmanship training from the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit's Instructor Training Group, aimed at strengthening their shooting skills and preparing them to be lethal, combat-ready soldiers in the future.
So you're scared of heights, yet somehow you've found yourself in line to jump out of a C-130. Your mind is reeling with all the stuff you've been taught to land safely, but still, if you screw it up, it could mean your life. No big deal, right?
President Donald J. Trump declared a crime emergency in the nation's capital today and vowed to make its streets safe again for both residents and visitors.
When Army Sgt. James Mestrovitch moved to the U.S. from Europe, he didn't expect to return as an interpreter or warrior; however, serving as the former inspired him to achieve the latter. During World War I, he helped save the life of his commanding officer, which led to his Medal of Honor.
This week marks 200 days since President Donald J. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assumed their roles as the top two leaders of the U.S. military.
Did you know that the Purple Heart is America's oldest military award? In 1782, although the Revolutionary War was basically over and peace talks were happening in Paris, Gen. George Washington needed a way to quell the talk of rebellion. Congress was running out of money after years of war against England. Troops were hungry and unpaid and there was talk of mutiny.
Marines, soldiers, sailors and U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel recently performed training to refine humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities at Coast Guard Station Key West, Florida.
During the World War II battle for Tinian Island in the Pacific, Wilson gave his life so that three of his comrades could live. His selfless actions led to him posthumously receiving the Medal of Honor.
In May, the Defense Department acknowledged challenges with how service members ship their household goods from one duty location to another during a permanent change of station move and promised new changes would ease the burden. Now, the department has delivered on another of those promises.
The Permanent Change of Station Joint Task Force launched a 24/7 call center today to help service members, Defense Department civilians and their families with their government moves. Service members can call 833-MIL-MOVE (833-645-6683), email PCSCallCenter@mail.mil or visit the PCS JTF Spotlight webpage for support.
The Coast Guard was established as the Revenue-Marine, Aug. 4, 1790, when President George Washington signed a bill drafted by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton, authorizing the construction of 10 cutters that would be part of the Treasury Department.
The Army recently celebrated its 250th birthday — two and a half centuries of defending the nation since standing up, June 14, 1775. Not long after, on July 29, 1775, the Army Chaplain Corps was established to provide ministerial support to those soldiers.
During World War I, Army Cpl. Sidney Earnest Manning took charge of his platoon after his superiors fell during a major Allied counteroffensive. Manning survived the fight despite suffering several injuries. For his leadership and bravery, he received the Medal of Honor.
The Defense Department's Permanent Change of Station Joint Task Force is taking decisive steps to stabilize the military move process following the termination of its contract with HomeSafe Alliance, June 18, 2025.
The Department of Defense, Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, today awarded Altus Public Schools a $49,211,667 grant as the federal share of a larger $61,522,311 project to construct the new L. Mendel Rivers Elementary School at Altus Air Force Base in Altus, Oklahoma.
To ensure the readiness and high standards of the America's fighting force, the Secretary of Defense issued updated guidance on medical waiver eligibility for men and women seeking to join the U.S. military. Under this guidance, some medical conditions may now not be waived, and others may now only be waived by the Secretary of a Military Department.
Over the next 18 months, the Defense Department will replace the legacy DS Logon system, which authenticates users onto more than 200 DOD and Veterans Affairs websites, with a more modern and flexible system called myAuth.
Today, the Department of Defense submitted to Congress and released the Annual Report on Civilian Casualties in Connection with United States Military Operations in 2024.
Just two years ago, the outlook for military recruitment was bleak. A 15,000-soldier shortfall — the Army's deepest gap since the draft ended in 1973 — forced commanders to trim training rotations and rethink end-strength projections, while lawmakers warned the all-volunteer force faced its most serious manning crisis in half a century.
After Allied troops landed in France in 1944, Army 2nd Lt. John Edward Butts and his unit faced heavy fighting as they tried to seize the continent back from German occupation. Butts gave his life so his fellow soldiers could accomplish that mission. For his sacrifice, he received a posthumous Medal of Honor.
A bustling Pentagon briefing room took on the hum of Charlotte Motor Speedway today as NASCAR driver Ross Chastain rolled in with his family — and the Coca‑Cola 600 trophy.
During the Civil War, Navy Acting Master's Mate Thomas Harding did his best to save one of his superiors on a sinking vessel. His brave actions earned him the Medal of Honor.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has directed the establishment of a Military Service Recruitment Task Force to ensure that the Department of Defense (DoD) continues to attract the brave men and women needed to address existing and emerging force requirements.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently signed a memorandum that provides additional assistance to the Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection divisions through enhancements to the Defense Department's own SkillBridge program. More..
Dependable and affordable child care is a big issue for military families, and it's a priority for the Defense Department, which has a number of programs underway to expand the available options.
Service members and veterans gathered in Normandy to commemorate the 81st anniversary of Operation Overlord, widely known as D-Day, honoring the pivotal Allied invasion that changed the course of World War II.
The Sierra Sands Unified School District cut the ribbon, June 3, 2025, on a new 77,000-square-foot Richmond Elementary School at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, restoring an essential academic anchor after the 2019 Ridgecrest earthquakes.
Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth paused in front of a ballroom of service members and industry leaders at Special Operations Forces Week in Tampa, Florida, and reminded them people matter more than equipment.
Last week, the Defense Department announced the Department of Government Efficiency found additional savings, helping the department identify and eliminate waste.
When Army Tech. Sgt. Yeiki Kobashigawa encountered enemy machine gun nests in Italy during World War II, he didn't shy away. Instead, he pushed the attack with a fearlessness that helped the Allies take the country back from the Nazis. Nearly half a century later, he received a belated Medal of Honor for his actions.
In a memorandum published Wednesday, the Defense Department directed the military departments to look at how their services could reduce their discretionary permanent change of station move budgets as a way to increase geographic stability to families, increase department efficiency and reduce costs for the department.
TIM DILL: Good afternoon, everyone. Good to see many of you again from yesterday and I appreciate that we're not on camera today. It's fortuitous. So we're here today to talk about permanent change of station moves, or PCS moves. PCS moves are essential to the Department's efforts to support operational requirements,
The Department recently directed the Military Departments to consider ways to reduce the frequency of permanent change of station (PCS) moves while continuing to accomplish the mission.
The Defense Department's Warfighter Brain Health Initiative aims to identify changes in cognitive performance to provide an opportunity for interventions to restore deficits and enhance cognition or "thinking skills."
Executive Order (EO) 14191 , "Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families," January 29, 2025 , underscores the Administration's commitment to expanding educational choice for military-connected families. The Department shares that commitment.
Marine Corps Pfc. Jimmy Wayne Phipps was only 18 years old when he sacrificed himself in the Vietnamese jungle so his comrades could survive. The young Marine posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his valor.
In advance of this summer's peak permanent change of station moving season, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed the U.S. Transportation Command to change how the Global Household Goods contract is implemented in an effort to better serve military families.
A Defense Department task force has confirmed DOD's successful implementation of a department wide directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to eliminate all diversity, equity and inclusion offices and initiatives.
On May 16, 2025, the Defense Department released to Congress the results of the 2024 Active-Duty Spouse Survey, a look at the opinions and attitudes of active-duty military spouses conducted roughly every two years.
The Defense Health Agency has announced that 16 military hospitals received an "A" rating in the latest Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assessment for Spring 2025. These high grades reflect the DHA's ongoing dedication to transparency and providing high-quality care to service members and their families.
In the jungle of Vietnam, Army Staff Sgt. Jimmy Goethel Stewart gave his life to ensure the enemy did not further harm injured platoonmates. For his actions, he received a posthumous Medal of Honor.
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.
