Military

Independent lawyers begin prosecuting cases of sexual assault and other crimes in the U.S. military

By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press

The decision, long resisted by Pentagon leaders, sidelines military commanders after years of pressure from members of Congress who believed that too often the commanders would fail to take victims' complaints seriously.

Trump hints at expanding domestic role for the military within the U.S.

By Gary Fields, Associated Press

The front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination has spoken openly about his plans should he win the presidency, including using the military at the border and in cities struggling with violent crime.

Shortest Marine on record says his height is his ‘greatest strength’

By Casey Kuhn

Nathaniel LaPrade said his height wasn’t a major factor in his own eyes, until he got to boot camp. He stands at 4 feet 7 inches tall.

96-year-old Korean War pursues Purple Heart medal after 7 decades

By Steve Karnowski, Mark Vancleave, Melissa Perez Winder, Associated Press

It can be a struggle for wounded veterans to get medals they’ve earned when the fog of war, the absence of records and the passage of time make it challenging to produce proof.

U.S. airstrikes target Iran-linked sites in Syria after U.S. troops attacked

By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press

U.S. fighter jets launched airstrikes early Friday on two locations in eastern Syria linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Pentagon said, in retaliation for a slew of drone and missile attacks against U.S. bases and personnel in the region…

China calls the U.S. a ‘disruptor’ of peace in response to Pentagon report on China’s military buildup

By Huizhong Wu, Associated Press

The annual report that is required by Congress is one way the Pentagon measures the military capabilities of China, which the U.S. government sees as its key threat in the Asia-Pacific region and America's primary long-term security challenge.

U.S. Army to launch a sweeping overhaul of its recruiting to reverse enlistment shortfalls

By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press

The Army's aim is to reverse years of enlistment shortfalls. A major part of this is the formation of a new professional force of recruiters instead of relying on soldiers assigned to the task.

Pentagon working to restore benefits to LGBTQ+ veterans forced out under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

By Tara Copp, Associated Press

Under the policy, service members who had other than heterosexual orientation could serve — as long as they kept it quiet. That led to years of discrimination, undue pressure, discharges and lost benefits.

WATCH: Senate considers Air Force chief of staff nomination amid military promotions blockade

By Associated Press

On Monday, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee slammed Tuberville for waging an unprecedented attempt to change Pentagon abortion policy by holding up hundreds of military nominations and promotions.

WATCH: Pentagon holds news briefing after depleted uranium ammo for Ukraine announcement

By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press

The Defense Department said the latest package will come through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides money for long-term contracts for weapons systems that need to be built or modified by defense companies.