Military & Veterans News Vet News: Secretary Carter Honors DNI Clapper with Distinguished Public Service Award Secretary of Defense Ash Carter today honored Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper with the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award, the department’s highest civilian honor.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Navy to Commission Destroyer Zumwalt The Navy will commission the destroyer Zumwalt (DDG 1000), Saturday, Oct. 15, during a 5 p.m. EDT ceremony in Baltimore, Maryland.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Statement from Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on the 5th anniversary of the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" I am proud to report that five years after the implementation of the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" our military, drawn from a cross-section of America, is stronger than ever and continues to exemplify the very best that our great nation has to offer. The American people can take pride in how the Department of Defense and the men and women of the United States military have implemented this change with the dignity, respect, and excellence expected of the finest fighting force the world has ever known.

Military & Veterans News Benefits News: Secretary of Defense Awards 15 Companies Employer Support Freedom Award Secretary of Defense Ash Carter awarded today the 15 recipients of the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest honor the Department of Defense gives to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Secretary Mabus Names Destroyer for Medal of Honor Recipient Today, in a ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that Arleigh-Burke class destroyer, DDG 122, will be named John Basilone in honor of the United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II. He was the only enlisted Marine to receive both the Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross in World War II.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Recipients Named Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced today the 15 recipients of the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest honor the DOD gives to employers for support of National Guard and Reserve employees.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Statement from Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on the Tragedy at Fort Hood During my trip to Asia, I have been constantly updated on the situation at Fort Hood. I am deeply saddened by the loss of nine brave soldiers in this training accident. This tragedy has touched the 1st Cavalry Division, the Fort Hood community, and the entire Department of Defense. It painfully demonstrates, along with the loss of a Blue Angels ‎pilot this week, the risks our men and women in uniform take on behalf of the American people everyday.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: DoD Releases FY15 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military Today, the Department of Defense released its Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015. 

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on the Nomination of Lieutenant General Joseph Lengyel as Chief of the National Guard Bureau I want to congratulate Lieutenant General Joseph Lengyel on his nomination as chief of the National Guard Bureau, and, if approved by Congress, on his promotion to general.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Department of Defense Publishes Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal Guidance The Department of Defense announced today that effective immediately, service members who are serving, or have served, in Iraq, Syria, or contiguous waters or airspace on or after June 15, 2014, who meet eligibility criteria are authorized award of the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook on Secretary Carter's Approval of Women in Service Review Implementation Plans Three months after his historic decision to open all combat positions to women, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter today formally approved the final implementation plans prepared by the military services and U.S. Special Operations Command. This action allows them to carry out their plans to fully integrate women throughout the armed forces.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: DoD’s “Hack the Pentagon” Cybersecurity Initiative The Department of Defense announced today that it will invite vetted hackers to test the department’s cybersecurity under a unique pilot program. The “Hack the Pentagon” initiative is the first cyber bug bounty program in the history of the federal government.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: DoD Announces Invictus Games 2016 Team Members The Department of Defense announced today the names of the 115 athletes who will represent the United States military at Invictus Games 2016 in Orlando, Florida, May 8-12.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on the Netherlands Expansion of Air Campaign Against ISIL in Syria I want to commend the government of the Netherlands for its announcement today that Dutch pilots will expand their current mission over Iraq to participate in coalition air strikes against ISIL in eastern Syria. I also appreciate the announcement of additional funding to support moderate armed Syrian opposition groups with civilian means and medical assistance, consideration of additional support to the Iraqi security forces and the Peshmerga, and additional funding for the restoration of damaged hospitals, schools and other infrastructure.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Sioux City The Navy will christen its newest Freedom variant littoral combat ship, USS Sioux City (LCS 11), during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony Saturday, Jan. 30 in Marinette, Wisconsin.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Statement by Secretary of Defense Ash Carter on Change of Command in Afghanistan I want to thank Gen. John Campbell for his extraordinary leadership and dedication in his dual role as commander of United States Forces – Afghanistan, and as commander of the NATO Resolute Support mission. While many challenges remain, we have made gains over the past year that will put Afghanistan on a better path, and much of the credit for that progress rests with Gen. Campbell.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Military Academies Making Progress in Efforts to Address Sexual Assault Today, the Department of Defense released its Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the United States Military Service Academies (MSA) for academic program year (APY) 2014 - 2015.  As part of a comprehensive review, DoD officials conducted site visits at the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy, held focus groups with cadets and midshipmen, and reviewed academy policies, training, and procedures.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Defense Department Announces Service Cross and Silver Star Review Today, the secretary of defense directed the military departments to review Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, and Silver Star Medal recommendations from the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan to ensure service members awarded these medals were appropriately recognized for their valorous actions.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: Defense Department Announces Results of Military Decorations and Awards Review Today, the Department of Defense announced the results of its year-long review of the military decorations and awards program to ensure continued appropriate recognition of the service, sacrifices, and actions of its service members while maintaining the historical legacy of the awards program.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: DOD Releases Report on Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan Today DoD provided Congress with a report on “Enhancing Security and Stability in Afghanistan” in accordance with Section 1225 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291). This report addresses developments from June 1- Nov. 30.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: United States Military Academy to Host the 2016 Department of Defense Warrior Games The Department of Defense announced today that the 2016 DoD Warrior Games will be hosted at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, June 14-22.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: 2015 Phoenix Award Winner Announced The Department of Defense announced the 2015 winner of the Phoenix Award for Maintenance Excellence on Dec. 8, at this year's secretary of defense awards ceremony. The Phoenix Award is presented annually to designate the single best maintenance unit out of that year's six Secretary of Defense Field-Level Maintenance Award winners.

Military & Veterans News Vet News: VA Makes Changes to Veterans Choice Program WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced a number of changes to make participation in the Veterans Choice Program easier and more convenient for Veterans who need to use it. The move, which streamlines eligibility requirements, follows feedback from Veterans along with organizations working on their behalf.