U.S. Department of Defense

Military & Veterans News

DOD Establishes 5G and Future Generation Wireless Cross-Functional Team

The Department of Defense announced today the establishment of a 5G and FutureG cross-functional team that will accelerate the adoption of transformative 5G and future generation wireless networking technologies to ensure its forces can operate effectively anywhere, including in contested networks. Congress mandated the establishment of the CFT in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act to enrich collaboration and integration across the DoD and with the private sector to accelerate the delivery of new capabilities to the warfighter.

Military & Veterans News

Department of Defense Technology Vision for an Era of Competition

The Department of Defense announced today a new technology vision established by Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu.

Military & Veterans News

Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on COVID Status

Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III I tested positive this morning for COVID-19. I requested the test today after exhibiting symptoms while at home on leave. 

Military & Veterans News

DoD Releases 2022 Basic Allowance for Housing Rates

The Department of Defense has released the 2022 Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates.  BAH rates will increase an average of 5.1 percent when the new rates take effect on January 1, 2022.&n

Military & Veterans News

Defense Department Launches Online Memorial for Service Members

The Defense Department launched the Military In Lasting Tribute online memorial, which recognizes service members who died while serving honorably on active duty from 1985 to the present. It is the only DoD memorial to include peacetime deaths.

Military & Veterans News

Secretary of Defense Austin Issues Guidance for Mandatory Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination of Department of Defense Service Members

Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III issued a memorandum for Mandatory Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination of Department of Defense Service Members.

Military & Veterans News

DOD Announces Winners of the 2021 Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin announced the 2021 recipients of the Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence.

Military & Veterans News

Survey Provides Insight Into Reserve Component Spouse Satisfaction With Military Life

The Department of Defense recently released the results of the 2019 Survey of Reserve Component Spouses. The survey is conducted every two years, and along with the Survey of Active Duty Spouses, represents the scientific “gold standard” of surveys intended to identify the needs of military spouses.

Military & Veterans News

Independent Review Commission Recommendations on Countering Sexual Assault in the Military

Today, the department released the Secretary of Defense’s guidance on, and the recommendations from, the Independent Review Commission (IRC) on Sexual Assault in the Military.

Military & Veterans News

Space Development Agency Successfully Launches First Missions

The Space Development Agency today announced the successful launch of its first two satellite missions, Mandrake II and Laser Interconnect Networking Communications System (LINCS) and the Prototype On-orbit Experimental Testbed (POET) payload, on June 30 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla.

Military & Veterans News

New Pilot Program Explores Helping Military Parents With Fee Assistance for In-Home Child Care

Furthering its commitment to provide additional child care options to meet the needs of service members and military families, the Department of Defense will initiate a new pilot program to grant fee assistance to military families for full-time, in-home child care providers.

Military & Veterans News

DOD Launches Enhanced Website for Military Spouses

The Department of Defense launched its newly-enhanced MySECO website, putting career and education resources at the fingertips of military spouses easier and faster than ever.

Military & Veterans News

DOD's Military OneSource Provides Access to Military Funeral Honors Directory

The Department of Defense provides members of the military community access to a 

Military & Veterans News

DOD Announces Policy Updates for Transgender Military Service

Today, the Department of Defense published the policy updates for transgender military service. The policy updates restore the Department’s original 2016 policies regarding transgender service.

Military & Veterans News

This Week in Operation Warp Speed - Dec. 4, 2020

Below is a compilation of initiatives, actions and accomplishments across Operation Warp Speed (OWS)’s primary efforts in the past week. To learn more about OWS, visit the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website and Department of Defense (DOD) website. 

Military & Veterans News

DOD Announces Winners of the 2020 Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper has announced the 2020 recipients of the Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence.

Military & Veterans News

DOD Offers Diversity and Inclusion Counseling Resources

The Department of Defense responded to interest from service personnel by providing its members with diversity and inclusion resources for those who experienced racism, bias and discrimination in either their personal or professional lives.

Military & Veterans News

Additional Guidance on Military Pay and Personnel Benefits: COVID-19

The department recently provided additional guidance to commanders for the administration of personnel policies and pay and benefits in the context of the effects created by the spread of COVID-19.

Military & Veterans News

DOD Implements Policy Change for Child Care Priorities

On June 1, 2020, the Department of Defense will implement a policy change to the current priorities for child care. As directed by Defense Secretary Dr. Mark T. Esper in a memo signed Feb. 21, 2020, the department will afford priority access to military families. Beginning June 1, the military services may begin to officially notify families who face being supplanted. Once a family is notified, they will then have 45 days to find alternative care.

Military & Veterans News

Battles Like Iwo Jima Must Never Happen Again, Milley Says

Seventy-five years ago today, about 70,000 Marines and sailors, backed up by about 400 ships, made the assault landings on Iwo Jima, a Pacific island that is only several square miles in size.

Military & Veterans News

Joint Statement on 60th Anniversary of the Signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security Between the U.S. and Japan

The text of the following statement was released by Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper for the Government of the United States of America and by Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Defense Minister Taro Kono for the Government of Japan on the occasion of 60th Anniversary of the Signing of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States of America and Japan.

Military & Veterans News

Department of Defense Establishes U.S. Space Force

Today the President signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act and with it, directed the establishment of the U.S. Space Force as the sixth branch of the armed forces.

Military & Veterans News

Department of Defense Announces U.S. Team for 2020 Invictus Games

The Department of Defense announced today the names of the 65 competitors who will compete on the U.S. team at the Invictus Games in The Hague, Netherlands, May 9-16, 2020.

Military & Veterans News

Department of Defense Establishes U.S. Space Command

At the direction of the President of the United States, Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper established U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) today as the eleventh Unified Combatant Command. Gen. John W. Raymond is its Senate confirmed commander.