Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Marks 100 Years Since First Guard Posting

March 6, 2026 | By Army Staff Sgt. Oscar Toscano, Joint Task Force National Capital Region |

"We do not know from whence he came, but only that his death marks him with everlasting glory of an American dying for his country," said President Warren G. Harding, Nov. 11, 1921.

Harding delivered the remarks during the burial ceremony for the Unknown Soldier of World War I, whom he symbolically "fathered" as next of kin.

World War I Unknown

Following World War I, the United States joined the Allied nations in honoring unidentified servicemen who lost their lives during the war. Congress approved the burial of an unknown American who lost their life during the war to represent all American service members whose names were lost to history.

Four unidentified American remains were exhumed from four different military cemeteries in France and examined to confirm they had died in combat and could not be identified. The ones chosen were then escorted to Chalons-sur-Marne, where the final selection was made by Army Sgt. Edward F. Younger, 50th Infantry Regiment. Younger was presented with the honor of making the final selection of the Unknown Soldier for his bravery fighting in all American offensives during the war.

His commanding officer, Army Maj. Gen. Henry T. Allen, who at the time was chief of the United States troops on the Rhine, said, "Your gallant deeds are indelibly inscribed in the pages of history to the glory of your nation," referencing the heroism Younger portrayed during the war.

The selection was made on Oct. 24, 1921. Younger circled the caskets three times and placed a spray of white roses on the third casket from the left. He then faced the body, stood at attention, and saluted. The roses remained with the casket and were eventually buried with it.

From the moment of selection, the Unknown Soldier was escorted and guarded throughout his journey. French and American honor guards stood watch during ceremonies in France. U.S. Marines maintained continuous watches during the transatlantic voyage aboard the cruiser USS Olympia.

The casket then lay at the U.S. Capitol, where tens of thousands of Americans paid their respects. On Nov. 11, 1921, the third anniversary of the end of World War I, the Unknown Soldier was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, with full military honors.

A Sailor's Account of the Journey

A firsthand account from Navy Seaman 2nd Class Edward J. Webb offers a look into the journey of the Unknown Soldier aboard the USS Olympia. "Early in the fall of 1921, we received orders to pick up the Unknown Soldier in Le Havre, France," Webb wrote, recalling how the casket was "placed under two Marine guards, continually" during the voyage.

After stopping in Plymouth, England, and Le Havre, the ship crossed the Atlantic and navigated the Potomac River before arriving in Washington in early November 1921. As the ship passed Mount Vernon, sailors stood in full dress uniform with rifles at present arms, while a 21-gun salute was fired and the ship's band played "Bells of Mount Vernon," tolling the bell in tribute.

Webb described the transfer at the Navy Yard, where the "Black Horse Cavalry was waiting with horse mounted band," and as the casket was placed on the caisson, "the band played the mournful dirge." The Unknown Soldier stayed at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda for a week before being laid to rest, a moment Webb witnessed before the Olympia returned to Philadelphia.

World War II, Korean War and Vietnam Unknowns

In the decades that followed, the nation expanded the tradition to honor those lost in subsequent wars. World War II and the Korean War claimed many American lives, many of whom were never identified.

In 1946, Congress authorized the burial of a World War II unknown soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, but the outbreak of the Korean War delayed the plan. Separate ceremonies were held for the European and Pacific theaters, with the final selection made aboard the littoral combat ship USS Canberra before the chosen World War II unknown soldier was interred, and the remaining candidate buried at sea with full military honors.

In 1958, unknown service members from both conflicts were honored together. Congress also directed the selection of a Korean War unknown soldier, who was chosen in Hawaii, to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery alongside the World War II unknown soldier, with President Dwight D. Eisenhower awarding both the Medal of Honor.

Decades later, following a conflict in Vietnam that resulted in more than 58,000 American deaths, unidentified remains were selected in 1984 to represent the nation's missing from that war and buried at Arlington, with President Ronald Reagan awarding the Medal of Honor.

In 1998, advances in DNA testing identified the Vietnam War unknown soldier as Air Force Capt. Michael J. Blassie, whose remains were returned to his family, while the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier continues to honor those who remain unaccounted for.

100 Years of Vigil

Though the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is now one of the most revered sites at Arlington National Cemetery, it was not always guarded. In the years after the 1921 interment, the memorial had no assigned military presence, and visitors often treated it as a tourist attraction.

Concern over the lack of respect led Army Maj. Gen. Fox Conner, the Army's deputy chief of staff, to order an armed military guard on March 24, 1926. The first sentinel was posted the following morning. Soldiers from the 3rd Cavalry Regiment at Fort Myer, Virginia, assumed the duty, beginning what would become an unbroken vigil.

Now, as the guard marks its centennial, soldiers continue to stand watch through every season and storm, a reminder of the nation's enduring promise to honor those who gave their lives without ever having their names known.

 

The Many Weapons Used During the Revolutionary War

March 6, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

This year marks the nation's 250th birthday. To commemorate this milestone, it is fitting to look back at the weapons that won the American Revolutionary War.

The "Brown Bess" muzzle-loading smoothbore musket was the most common weapon used by both the British and Americans forces during the war.  

With an effective range of 100 yards, the Brown Bess was slow to load, limiting its rate of fire to about three rounds per minute. As a result, much of the fighting involved bayonet charges.

In addition to the Brown Bess, other muskets were produced locally by gunsmiths or were imported from France.

Besides muskets, rifles were also used by snipers, with a maximum effective range of 300 yards. Like muskets, they also had a low rate of fire because of the lengthy loading process.

Similar, flintlock pistols were standard issue for officers, cavalry and sailors. Their effective range was 30 yards. Officers also carried swords or sabers.

Beyond handheld weapons, cannons, mortars and howitzers were the three types of artillery used by the Americans, French and British on land and at sea.

Cannons could fire solid shot, chain shot, grapeshot and canisters, which could tear large holes in the infantry ranks or destroy fortifications. Their maximum effective range was about 1,000 yards.

Mortars fired an exploding shell, called a bomb, in a high trajectory. The bombs flew over embankments and exploded while still airborne, raining shrapnel over the enemy. The maximum effective range was about 750 yards.

Howitzers blended features of cannons and mortars. Mounted on field carriages, they could fire both bombs and cannonballs at a flat or high trajectory, offering versatility on the battlefield. The maximum effective range was about 750 yards.

The size of the mortar, cannon or howitzer was designated by the width of the bore in inches. The sizes used included 3-, 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, 13-, 16- and 24-pounders. 

Tomahawks and knives were the favorite weapons of Native Americans during the war, with tribes fighting for both sides. 

While Improving Quality of Life, Navy Remains Ready to Fight

March 5, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

The Navy is participating in exercises and operations worldwide, said Navy Adm. James W. Kilby, vice chief of naval operations, who, along with other service leaders, testified yesterday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington on joint force readiness.

Last year in the Middle East, the Navy executed strikes against adversaries during Operations Rough Rider and Midnight Hammer, while defending regional allies and partners. 

This year, the Navy participated in Operation Absolute Resolve in the Atlantic, while sailors operate every day to deter China and build partnerships in the Pacific, Kilby said. 

Currently, the Navy is supporting Operation Epic Fury. On March 3, a Navy fast attack submarine sank an Iranian combatant ship with the Mark 48 torpedo. 

The Navy's primary weapon system is its sailors, the admiral said, noting that the service exceeded its recruiting goals last year and is successfully working to increase retention. 

To further support sailors, the Navy is focused on improving quality of life through a new initiative that provides permanent shore-based housing so that no sailor is required to live aboard a ship while on shore duty, he said. Efforts also include expanding child care, improving fitness facilities and expanding meal selections with healthy options. 

Always looking for ways to improve, the service is increasing platform readiness by reducing maintenance delays, investing in shipyard infrastructure optimization and developing the civilian workforce. Advanced technologies such as conditions-based maintenance and advanced additive manufacturing are being used to optimize systems. 

"The Navy continues to drive toward our goal of 80% combat surge-ready ships, aircraft and submarines with urgency and accountability," Kilby said, adding that he's concerned with the material condition of amphibious ships and is working to improve that. 

Marine Corps Improving Amphibious Warfare Ship Availability, Says Defense Leader

March 5, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

The Marine Corps is the nation's global response force, said Marine Corps Gen. Bradford J. Gering, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, who, along with other service leaders, testified yesterday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington on joint force readiness. 

The Marine Corps' traditional role as a crisis response force is embodied by the amphibious ready group and Marine expeditionary unit, he said. 

 "This sea-based capability provides our nation with decision space and options, changes the behavior of bad actors and delivers swift and decisive action when required," Gering said. 

These forces deploy from the East and West Coasts, along with one based in Japan. 

"These forward deployed forces provide a continuous presence, enable the joint force and contribute to deterrence with allies and partners," he added, noting that in partnership with the Navy, the Marine Corps is working to improve the availability of amphibious warfare ships, and significant progress has been made with the procurement of medium landing ships. 

"We need to continue to move forward with a sense of urgency in … amphibious warship readiness availability and littoral mobility. Despite these challenges, your Marines are ready," the general said. 

Once again, the Marine Corps met its recruiting mission last fiscal year and is on track to meet it again this year. 

Taking care of Marines and their families is a warfighting necessity that directly impacts readiness and retention, Gering said, noting that new barracks are under construction and child care incentives are underway. 

"Finally, I'm proud to report to you that for a third consecutive year, your Marine Corps has earned a clean audit opinion," he said. "This is a direct reflection [of] our commitment to fiscal stewardship and demonstrates our accountability for every taxpayer dollar." 

Spotlight: Taking Care of Our People

Army Vice Chief Says Department Ready to Meet Threats Worldwide

March 5, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Every decision begins and ends with ensuring soldiers are ready to fight and win when called upon, said Army Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve, Army vice chief of staff, who, along with other service leaders, testified yesterday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on joint force readiness.

Today, more than 108,000 soldiers are deployed or forward-postured across 160 countries, securing America's interests in the Western Hemisphere, deterring aggression in the Indo-Pacific and responding to threats worldwide, he said.

Turning to regional specifics, he added, "In the Middle East, our soldiers are operating in a complex and dangerous environment, amid active conflict with Iran and its proxies. They're defending U.S. forces and partners, intercepting missiles and drones, and protecting critical infrastructure."

Supporting these efforts, sustainment formations are moving fuel, munitions and medical support across the theater, while command posts are integrating joint fires and intelligence to ensure rapid response to evolving threats in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, the general said.

"Brave Americans have been killed and wounded in the line of duty. Their loss is felt across our formations and in communities across this nation. To their families, we extend our deepest condolences and our enduring support," he said.

Shifting back to organizational structure, the department consolidated Army North and South in the Western Hemisphere into a single, unified headquarters responsible for homeland defense, while retaining the capacity to generate and deploy forces globally in response to crisis, LaNeve said.

In the Indo-Pacific, the Army maintains 91,000 troops and has committed $1.3 billion to the Pacific deterrence initiative, he said.

At home, soldiers at training centers solve complex problems and test the latest systems, he said.

The Army has restructured its acquisition processes to reduce the time between field experience and program decisions from years to months, the general said, citing several ground and aviation prototypes.

"After 36 years, I've never seen a unit readiness determined by a depot or its equipment alone. What I have seen repeatedly is how we treat our soldiers shapes whether we retain the experienced ones and whether the force we're building reflects the standards we claim to uphold," LaNeve said, adding the service is surpassing recruiting goals.

Air Force, Space Force Ready for All Warfighting Challenges

March 5, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

The Air Force's lethality depends on the professionalism of airmen and the capability of their equipment, said Air Force Gen. John D. Lamontagne, Air Force vice chief of staff, who testified yesterday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on joint force readiness in Washington.

"Airmen are our most precious resource. The active-duty, Air National Guard, reserve and civilian workforce are why the United States Air Force is effective at a moment's notice," Lamontagne said.

The Air Force updated its fitness policy to push airmen to new levels and ensure they are ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with its joint partners on the toughest battlefields, the general said.

The service is improving airmen's quality of life by updating dormitories and child development care centers.

"We strive to make the Air Force an unmatched place to serve," Lamontagne said, adding that recruiting goals are being met and retention numbers are strong.

The Air Force is increasing aircraft availability, which allows aviators to get the repetitions they need to build competence. The service is also recapitalizing its ground-based strategic deterrent, fighter, bomber and tanker aircraft, as well as the command-and-control architectures that bring them together, the general said.

At the tactical level, airmen are practicing agile combat employment and preparing to fight in exercises like Bamboo Eagle. Last summer, the Air Force deployed more than 400 aircraft and 15,000 personnel across 50 locations in the Pacific region, Lamontagne said.

Space Force Gen. Shawn N. Bratton, vice chief of space operations, said his service, along with commercial partners, executed 170 launches this year.

A new radar has upgraded optical surveillance systems to track adversarial activity on orbit better, he said, noting that additional systems will increase domain awareness.

Regarding readiness, Bratton said guardians must be ready at any time for any threat across the entire spectrum of conflict. They participated in a variety of exercises designed to ensure space superiority, and officer training courses now include training in space, cyber, intelligence and acquisitions.

"We will need to double in size in the coming years to meet identified operational needs, as well as significantly increase our training facilities. Even as we prepare for current warfighting challenges, we are aggressively looking ahead at capability requirements for the future force," he said.

DOW Identifies An Army Believed to Be Casualty

March 4, 2026 |

The Department of War announced the believed to be death of an Army Reserve Soldier who was supporting Operation Epic Fury.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, Calif., was at the scene of the incident on March 1, 2026, in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, and is believed to be the individual who perished at the scene.  Positive identification of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Marzan will be completed by the medical examiner.  The Soldier was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, Des Moines, Iowa.

For more information regarding Chief Warrant Officer 3 Marzan, members of the media may contact U.S. Army Reserve Command Public Affairs Office, Fort Bragg, N.C., at usarmy.usarc.usarc-hq.mbx.press-desk@army.mil.

Department of War Invests $27M for the Domestic Excavation, Extraction, Processing, and Refinement of Antimony

 March 4, 2026 |

The Department of War announced today a February 24, 2026, investment of $27 million in Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III funds to U.S. Antimony Corporation (USAC) for the domestic extraction, processing, and refinement of antimony. This investment was delayed due to the government shutdown. The investment uses funds from the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022. It also supports the Administration's goal to increase the production of processed critical minerals and other derivative products as articulated in the March 20, 2025, Executive Order 14241 - Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production.

"For too long, DOW has depended on overseas sources for its critical mineral production," said Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy Mike Cadenazzi. "This investment will address risk in one of our most critical munitions and materials supply chains."

Using DPA Title III funds, USAC will modernize and expand the company's capacity in Montana to refine and produce antimony necessary for flame retardants, batteries, munitions, and other defense applications. In parallel, this investment will support USAC's initiative to establish domestic antimony excavation and extraction in Alaska. By securing domestic feedstock, USAC has positioned itself to enable full vertical integration across the supply chain from ore extraction to mid-stream floatation capabilities to finished antimony products.

"Strong domestic mineral supply chains are essential to support our warfighting capability," added Mr. Jeffrey Frankston, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Resilience, which oversees the Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) directorate. "This is a crucial investment for strengthening our national defense."

This is one of three investments made by the DPA Purchases Office totaling $58.5 million since the beginning of fiscal year 2026. The MCEIP Directorate oversees the DPA Purchases Office.

For more information on MCEIP, please visit: https://www.businessdefense.gov/ibr/mceip/index.html

About the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy (OASW(IBP)

The OASW(IBP) works with domestic and international partners to forge and sustain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base enabling the Warfighter, now and in the future. OASW(IBP) also uses a new Defense Industrial Base Consortium Other Transaction Agreement (DIBC OTA) to solicit new ideas for research or prototype project solutions for critical supply chain resiliency focus areas. This OTA underscores the Department's ongoing dedication to safeguarding the integrity of our crucial supply chain and promptly giving our Warfighters the materials and technologies they need to accomplish their missions. To learn more about the DIBC OTA, please visit: https://www.dibconsortium.org.

Trio of Army Medal of Honor Recipients Inducted Into Pentagon's Hall of Heroes

March 3, 2026 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

Three Army noncommissioned officers who recently received the Medal of Honor were inducted into the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes today during a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia.

The induction came one day after Master Sgt. Roderick W. Edmonds, Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson were awarded the Medal of Honor by President Donald J. Trump during a ceremony at the White House.

Edmonds, a World War II veteran who passed away in 1985, and Ollis, who died in combat in 2013 during Operation Enduring Freedom, both received their medals posthumously; Richardson, a 78-year-old Vietnam War veteran who retired from the Army in 2008, attended both ceremonies.

"Today, we gather to honor three soldiers whose actions remind us that valor is not just a word etched in metal; it is a living testament to the courage and sacrifice that preserves and protects our great nation," Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll said during the ceremony.

"Each of these heroes went above and beyond the call of duty and placed their lives on the line for those that they loved — the soldiers to their left and their right, and to the very nation that they were born to," he continued.

During the ceremony, senior leaders as well as members of the recipients' families recounted the heroic and valorous acts each of the soldiers performed under intense, harrowing pressure.

Edmonds received the Medal of Honor for his actions as a prisoner of war during World War II, when he refused to identify Jewish-American soldiers to his German captors, saving them from likely persecution and death.

"The Nazi commandant was furious and ordered all non-Jews back in the barracks. Master Sgt. Edmonds calmly responded, 'We are all Jews here,'" Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy A. George explained during the ceremony.

"My dad was a soldier's soldier; he loved soldiers. … [He] was a praying man, and he closed all of our family prayers with, 'Dear Heavenly Father, help us help those who can't help themselves.' That's the value of a soldier … of one who marches for his country, for his family, for his friends, for his freedom [and] for the almighty," Chris Edmonds said of his late father's character.

Ollis earned the Medal of Honor for his actions in Afghanistan on Aug. 28, 2013, when the 24-year-old staff sergeant placed himself between an armed insurgent and a wounded coalition forces officer, ultimately saving the officer but losing his own life when the insurgent's suicide vest detonated.

"Staff Sgt. Ollis died in the blast, but he made sure his body shielded [the wounded officer] from further injury," George said of Ollis' actions, adding that he not only saved his teammate, but he helped stymie an attack that could have killed many others that day.

During the ceremony, Ollis' father, Bob, spoke of how his son had always known he wanted to follow in his footsteps and become a soldier.

Bob Ollis also recounted a story of how he received a phone call from his son roughly a month before he fell in battle. During that call, Ollis told his father that he had just reenlisted in the Army for an additional six years.

"He said, 'Pop, I'm going to give to the United States Army as long as I'm healthy.' … He had such a love for the United States Army that it was incredible," Bob Ollis said of his son.

Richardson received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Vietnam on Sept. 14, 1968, when he rescued three wounded soldiers while under heavy enemy fire.

He then proceeded to a hilltop — which turned out to be an enemy camp — and for seven hours, while wounded, directed airstrikes that caused the enemy to flee, thus saving the lives of 85 fellow soldiers.

"The men of [Richardson's unit] figured they would never see Staff Sgt. Richardson again. But, upon climbing the hill, [they] found him sitting on top of a rubber tree, bullet in his knee, ears bleeding — the embodiment of human endurance, grit and courage and an inspiration to them all," George explained of Richardson's heroics that day.

"For me, it's always been about putting soldiers first. … I invested in my soldiers; I knew every one of them. I knew what they needed, and I also knew their families back home, by what they told me," Richardson said during the ceremony.

"That's why I wear this Medal of Honor. It will never be [just] my own when I share it with my team," he added.

During the Hall of Heroes induction ceremony, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered remarks to the attendees remotely, praising the three inductees for the brave choices they made when faced with such adversity.

"The split-second decisions — sometimes made over hours — made by soldiers who we honor here today: what they decided ripples through time and still impacts lives today," Hegseth said, adding that nobody is born with the warrior ethos, but rather that it has to be taught, learned and forged through stories like those of the day's three honorees.

"We thank our Heavenly Father for these men and the decisions they made," Hegseth added. "May we tell their stories forever."

DoW Identifies Army Casualties

March 3, 2026 |

The Department of War announced the death of four Army Reserve Soldiers who were supporting Operation Epic Fury.

Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Fla.; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Neb.; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minn.; and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, died on March 1, 2026, in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, during an unmanned aircraft system attack. All Soldiers were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, Des Moines, Iowa. The incident is under investigation.

For more information regarding Capt. Cody A. Khork; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor; and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, members of the media may contact U.S. Army Reserve Command Public Affairs Office, Fort Bragg, N.C., at usarmy.usarc.usarc-hq.mbx.press-desk@army.mil.

Face of Defense: Aeromedical Nurse Practitioner Bridges Medicine, Mission

March 3, 2026 | By Air Force Airman 1st Class Amanda Alvarez, 325th Fighter Wing |

The small, brain-shaped coin felt heavier than its size, a quiet symbol of gratitude that brought tears as she recalled its meaning. It was a gift from an Air Force airman she once treated for lymphoma, presented to her after he not only completed treatment, but beat the cancer.

He honored his doctor by coining her — a tribute usually performed by senior leaders to recognize airmen. The gesture represented the trust placed in her during one of the most difficult moments of the airman's life. 

"This is my favorite coin, and it reminds me how special this [moment] was for both of us," said Air Force Maj. Elizabeth Kuss, 325th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron flight medicine flight commander. "I don't do this job to be thanked, but it was so special to be thanked in this way." 

The experience was shaped by a path she once believed she would never take; one she believed was not for her.

Air Force Maj. Elizabeth Kuss

Job: Aeromedical Nurse Practitioner

Stationed: Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.

Unit: Air Force

Hometown: Prattville, Ala.

Wanting More 

Raised as an "Army brat" and surrounded by military service, Kuss had long resisted joining the military. Her father served for 30 years in the Army and for another 20 as a civilian supporting Army aviation, while her brother joined the Air Force in 2000. 

"I was the one saying, 'I'm not joining the military,'" she said, laughing. "Turns out my dad was right." 

By 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and nearing a milestone birthday, Kuss said she felt professionally stagnant. 

"I wanted more — personal growth and professional growth," she said. "I was asking myself, 'Is this it?'" 

The need for a new challenge is what drew her to military medicine. After nearly two decades working in emergency rooms in Alabama, Kuss became an Air Force nurse practitioner at 40 years old, trading night shifts and a familiar hospital system for operational medicine, intense training and a role few in uniform have ever filled. 

"I knew this was not going to be easy. This was not going to be a cakewalk kind of job," Kuss said. "But this is my dream job. I get to take care of the most amazing people while doing the things I love."

A Turning Point in Alaska

Inspired by Air Force nurse practitioners who were deploying, leading and operating far beyond the clinic, Kuss commissioned directly into the Air Force in 2021 as a family nurse practitioner. She was assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, which quickly became a turning point.

Within months, Kuss attended military mountain medicine training, climbing and rappelling with litters, navigating austere terrain and learning trauma care under simulated combat conditions. 

"They made it as real as possible and that was the moment I thought, 'This is what I signed up for,'" she said. "You don't get to do this [training] on the outside. It really solidified my decision to do this." 

After two years in active-duty medicine, she was selected for the Air Force's aeromedical nurse practitioner training pipeline, a career field that was created in 2019 to bridge the gap between medicine and mission. The pipeline included aerospace physiology, altitude chamber exposure, centrifuge training and flight operations. 

"The goal is to have a better understanding of what aviators and defenders go through," Kuss said. "Does this [medical] condition impact their ability to fly? Their ability to see screens? If I understand what duties they're undergoing, I can better understand how that might impact them medically." 

Beyond the Usual Care 

As an aeromedical nurse practitioner, Kuss does far more than traditional primary care. Her role spans occupational health, deployment clearances, public health and flight-related medical emergencies. Between these responsibilities, she also manages administrative tasks such as reviewing profiles, signing medical clearances and advising commanders on readiness risks. 

"It's always a balance," she said. "You're taking care of someone as a person, but you're also responsible for military readiness and mission safety, and asking yourself, 'Is it going to compromise the mission because they aren't able to perform their duties?'" 

Trust between the patient and provider sits at the core of Kuss' work as one of roughly 50 aeromedical nurse practitioners across the Air Force. In April 2024, she arrived at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, as the base's first aeromedical nurse practitioner, stepping into a role that brings both opportunity and pressure. 

"I want to show that we're value-added," she said. "I want to show that we support the mission and that as a [career field], we're needed. When I leave, I want them to say, 'We need another one.'" 

As an emerging career field, Kuss said aeromedical nurse practitioners often face misconceptions, including being underutilized or misunderstood. 

"People don't always know what we can do," she said. "That knowledge gap is probably the biggest barrier. With more exposure and time on the lines, we can break those barriers and learn how we fit within a squadron and how we can be an asset to the team."

Making an Impact 

For those who work with her, her impact and influence are already clear. 

"She's everything you'd want in a provider and a flight commander," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joseph Smith, 325th OMRS flight operational medical technician. "She listens. She's empathetic. She treats everyone like a person first." 

Smith said Kuss' aeromedical expertise has been especially valuable during in-flight emergencies involving F-35A Lightning II pilots experiencing hypoxia-like symptoms. 

"Her being an aeromedical nurse practitioner makes all the difference sometimes," Smith said. "She already knows what's going on when it comes to altitude, aircraft systems, all of it. She's always clocked in with the engine running. 

"She's big on readiness because she knows if we don't take care of pilots and maintainers, the mission doesn't happen," Smith continued. "She sets the standard — anyone who comes into this role should look at her and say, 'That's what an aeromedical nurse practitioner should be.'" 

Looking ahead, Kuss hopes to deploy, support humanitarian missions and continue shaping a career field still defining itself. 

"I've only been in five years, and I've already done things I never imagined," she said. "And there's still so much more to do, so many more boxes I want to check off. I'm ready for whatever comes my way."

Medal of Honor Monday: Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jack Williams

March 2, 2026 | By Katie Lange, Pentagon News |

As a hospital corpsman in World War II's Pacific theater, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Jack Williams' job was to save the lives of the Marines who fought around him. During the bloody Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, Williams saved more than a dozen Marines and sacrificed his own life so they could live. His selflessness led him to receive a posthumous Medal of Honor.

Williams was born Oct. 18, 1924, in Harrison, Arkansas, to William and Dorothy Williams. He had a younger sister named Fern.

During high school, Williams worked at a local theater and was a member of the Future Farmers of America. As World War II raged during his senior year, he registered in the Selective Service System but didn't wait to be drafted. As soon as he graduated in June 1943, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve.

Within a few months, Williams had completed training to become a hospital corpsman. By May 1944, he'd reached the rank of pharmacist's mate 3rd class and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division.

In late December 1944, the division deployed to Hawaii and began training for the invasion of Iwo Jima, a tiny island in the Pacific with strategic airfields that could better position the Allies for an assault on mainland Japan.

Williams' unit arrived off the volcanic island's coast in mid-February and was part of the first assault waves to land there. Over the next several days, the 28th Marines took part in efforts to isolate and secure Mount Suribachi, where the now-iconic photo of Marines raising a U.S. flag was taken.

On March 3, 1945, the unit had moved into rugged terrain to continue fighting an entrenched enemy. Williams had already given aid to more than a dozen wounded Marines, but when he saw his friend, Marine Corps Pfc. James Naughton, lying in no-man's-land after being wounded in a fierce grenade battle, he ran to him.

Williams dragged Naughton to a shallow depression and knelt to give him first aid, using his own body as a screen from the continued enemy fire, which hit Williams in the abdomen and groin three times.

Williams was momentarily stunned, but he quickly recovered and finished aiding Naughton before applying bandages to his own wounds.

Despite needing urgent medical attention himself, Williams continued his work. He stayed in the perilous, fire-swept area to help yet another Marine he found there. Through his pain and profuse bleeding, Williams dressed that man's wounds before trying to make his way to the rear of the fight to get aid for himself. Along the way, he was struck down by a Japanese sniper bullet.

Williams collapsed and later died, giving his life to help his fellow warfighters survive. For his sacrifice, he was awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor, presented to his mother at the family home March 8, 1946.

Williams is buried in Springfield National Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri.

In total, 27 Medals of Honor were awarded to men who fought on Iwo Jima, the most of any World War II battle. Aside from Williams, three other pharmacist's mates received the medal: Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Junior Pierce, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class George Wahlen and Navy Petty Officer 1st Class John Willis.

To honor Williams, the Navy commissioned a guided missile frigate, the USS Jack Williams, in 1981. The ship was in service until 1996, when it was sold to Bahrain's navy. According to the Central Arkansas Library System's Encyclopedia of Arkansas, the ship's bell was removed after service and now resides in the lobby of the county courthouse in Harrison.

Just a few years ago, Williams' hometown also opened the Jack Williams Veterans Resource Center as a place to serve local veterans.

Senior Air and Space Force Leaders Discuss Defense of Homeland

Feb. 25, 2026 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

The War Department's 2026 National Defense Strategy, released Jan. 23, prioritizes defending the homeland as its first line of effort.

Yesterday, during a panel on homeland defense at the Air and Space Forces Association's annual warfare symposium in Aurora, Colorado, three senior Air and Space Force generals discussed how their respective combatant commands are working to do just that.

Space Force Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command; Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command; and Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael J. Lutton, deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command, spent just under 45 minutes discussing what they view as the biggest threats to the homeland and how they foresee the development of the Golden Dome for America missile defense system, among other topics.

Regarding the threat assessment to North America, two of the three leaders agreed that cyberattacks from U.S. adversaries are near the top — if not at the top — of the list.

"The cyber threat is the most persistent and present threat that we have. I'm often asked when doing congressional testimony, 'What's our next attack going to be?' And I say we are under attack right this second in cyber[space] from nation states and proxies to them, trying to get into our systems to the tune of hundreds of millions [of] attempts a day," said Guillot, whose combined NORAD and Northcom commands focus on homeland defense in all domains.

Lutton, whose command conducts global operations to deter strategic attacks — particularly nuclear — and employs tailored forces to guarantee the security of the nation and its allies, concurred with Guillot's assessment.

"With respect to cyberspace, the ability of cyber to disrupt or deny or degrade — that has a different tempered dimension, if you will, than a ballistic missile [and] there's potential ambiguity with cyber that is very much a focus of [Stratcom]," Lutton said.

As commander of Spacecom — the command responsible for conducting, planning and integrating joint military space operations with allies to deter aggression, defend national interests, and defeat threats in, from and to space — Whiting said his primary concern is Russia's reported development of a space-based, nuclear-powered anti-satellite capability designed to destroy or disable satellites, particularly in low Earth orbit.

"If Russia were to launch that, of course, it would violate the Outer Space Treaty that they're a signatory to, [and] it would be an incredibly destructive and indiscriminate weapon that would hold all nations' space capabilities at risk," Whiting said.

"And, of course, that's just something that we wouldn't want to tolerate," he added.

In terms of the development of the Golden Dome — which President Donald J. Trump authorized via Executive Order 14186 on Jan. 27, 2025 — all three leaders said their respective commands are working closely together and with Space Force Commander Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, the director of the Golden Dome mission.

Guillot said that as soon as Guetlein was confirmed to lead Golden Dome, he flew out to meet with Guillot and Whiting to begin basic planning for the program.

"And the three of us left the room, without any exaggeration, 100% aligned with what we thought Golden Dome for America should look like," Guillot said.

He added that the program is moving along at such a clip that it might have demonstrable capability much faster than initially anticipated.

"When Golden Dome first was discussed, I think some thought it would be a 2040 … type of capability [but] it's not; it's much closer, and a lot of the capabilities are [already] there," Guillot said.

Acquisition Reform Means a Focus on Warfighter Success

Feb. 26, 2026 | By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News |

The War Department aims to modernize how acquisition — the buying of weapons and other materiel from manufacturers — is done to ensure American warfighters get the best tools, at the right price, and as quickly as possible. 

In November 2025, for instance, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced a reorganization of the existing program executive offices into portfolio acquisition executives. 

"The acquisition chain of authority will run directly from the program manager to the PAE," Hegseth said at the time. "Each PAE will be the single accountable official for portfolio outcomes and have the authority to act without running through months or even years of approval chains. And they'll be held accountable to deliver results." 

The secretary said PAEs will be empowered with authorities to make decisions on cost, schedule and performance trade-offs that prioritize time to field and mission outcomes.  

During a panel discussion yesterday as part of the Air and Space Forces Association's warfare symposium in Aurora, Colorado, Air Force Gen. Dale R. White, director of critical major weapon systems, said that effort will be transformational in the acquisition community. 

"I think now we take it down to the next level and just think about where we are with our [program offices], what we're doing with the PAEs, giving them authority to make decisions in real time, make trades, and be able to do probably the most important thing with this whole transformation," White said. "[And that] is not measure ourselves against acquisition outcomes but measure ourselves against mission outcomes, allowing that PAE to look at the operational problem and work to figure out a solution to that problem and be able to have the decision space to do so." 

White said it's not just PAEs that must be empowered to do their job, but the acquisition enterprise as a whole must be aligned to make acquisition success about meeting mission requirements for the warfighter, not just a positive business outcome. 

"We're just not empowering PAEs; the idea is you get unity of command," he said. "You get unity of effort. You allow that contracting officer to have a voice in solving that operational problem, that [financial management] person, that engineer; you change the cultural mindset of how we look at what we're doing." 

There are plenty of examples, White said, of where there was acquisition success that didn't result in operational mission success. 

"We may have done well on the acquisition side, but how well did that align to the operational need and what we're trying to do," he asked. "It is really that hard reset. It's the empowerment piece and changing the dynamic by which we study the problems that we have." 

For acquisition professionals, White said, acquisition reform will require them to lead with conviction. 

"Lead with vision, lead ruthlessly and lead with an intent to solve the operational problem," he said. "If you want to know what acquisition as a warfighting function means, it means come together as a team, the operational team, the acquiring team, and deliver on the outcome. Sometimes that means you're going to make some tough decisions that you have to have courage to make; make the decision, drive for the outcome."

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Travels to Arkansas for 'Arsenal of Freedom' Tour

Feb. 26, 2026 |

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will depart tomorrow for Camden, Arkansas, to visit General Dynamics and L3 Harris. Secretary Hegseth will also administer the oath of enlistment to new recruits.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is concluding his nationwide "Arsenal of Freedom" tour, a call to action to revitalize America's manufacturing might and reenergize the nation's workforce. The tour's message will emphasize that our national security and the peace of the world move at the speed of our Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and rely on the hard work of our American workforce.

The tour will highlight the urgent need to rebuild our Defense Industrial Base to ensure that we continue President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Hegseth's peace through strength agenda.

American manufacturing is the bedrock of American strength. The men and women fueling this work are on the front lines, alongside our warfighters, furthering the nation's efforts every day they show up to work.

The tour will champion a new approach to defense acquisition, one that prioritizes and awards speed, innovation, and a "commercial-first" mindset.

This includes cutting bureaucratic red tape, empowering program leaders, and providing the stable, long-term contracts necessary for industry to invest and expand.

The goal is to create a defense ecosystem that is more agile and accountable, capable of delivering the tools our warfighters need, when they need them.

The "Arsenal of Freedom" tour is more than a series of speeches; it is a movement to restore our nation's industrial prowess and secure our freedom for generations to come. It is a reminder that the strength of our nation is not just in our military, but in the ingenuity and spirit of the American people.

Hegseth: National Guard Aligned With National Defense Strategy – Homeland First, Borders Secured, Peace Through Strength

Feb. 25, 2026 | By Army Master Sgt. Zach Sheely, National Guard Bureau |

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth addressed National Guard leaders today at the Herbert R. Temple Army National Guard Readiness Center in Arlington, Virginia, where he underscored the War Department's top priorities: restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military and reestablishing deterrence.

In attendance were: the National Guard adjutants general — the senior Army and Air National Guard officers representing each state, three territories and the District of Columbia; along with Air Force Gen. Steven Nordhaus, National Guard Bureau chief,  and Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines; as well as Army Gen. Thomas Carden, National Guard Bureau vice chief. 

During the meeting, Hegseth outlined the guard's critical alignment with the 2026 National Defense Strategy — the War Department's guiding document for implementing the core pillars of President Donald J. Trump's National Security Strategy: America first, peace through strength and common sense. 

Hegseth praised the "great work being done" by the National Guard in support of the NDS, which prioritizes homeland defense first, deterring China in the Indo-Pacific region through strength rather than confrontation, increasing burden-sharing with allies and partners and supercharging the U.S. defense industrial base. 

"This group is central to reestablishing the United States' deterrence," Hegseth told the adjutants general. "That charge fell quickly to the National Guard, which has been instrumental in establishing 100% operational control of our southern border — the baseline of our deterrence. The guard fills gaps as we are layering more effects to close them."  

Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. cannot be a sovereign country without control of its own borders. Since January 2025, more than 18,000 National Guardsmen have supported operations on the southern border, contributing to the lowest level of U.S.-Mexico border crossings in over 50 years. 

The secretary also highlighted cities like Memphis, Tennessee, New Orleans and Washington, which have each seen sharp reductions in violent crime, due in part to a uniformed National Guard presence working alongside law enforcement partners, as Trump spotlighted in yesterday's State of the Union.

"I salute those who embraced coming alongside law enforcement agencies to make our cities safer," Hegseth said. "It's just like in the aftermath of natural disasters — the guard adds huge value, and they make people feel safer where they live. Their incredible professionalism goes a long way." During the State of the Union, Trump awarded two West Virginia National Guardsmen, Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, the Purple Heart, following the attack in Washington that took Beckstrom's life while both were on duty as part of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force.

"President Trump showcased our best warriors, past and present," Hegseth said. "They don't do it to be recognized." 

The secretary reminded the generals that the National Guard is vital to homeland defense.  

Army Guardsmen in Alaska, California and Colorado operate the department's only capability to defeat intercontinental ballistic missile strikes with defensive interceptor missiles. Sixteen of the 17 Aerospace Alert Control sites are operated by Air Guardsmen in conjunction with North American Aerospace Defense Command, to launch fighters at any time to intercept, inspect, influence and defeat potential airborne threats, 24/7. National Guardsmen also sustain enduring missions in counter-drug operations and cyber defense. 

With 435,000 total service members, the National Guard provides 20% of the U.S. joint force at about 4% of DOW's budget. Regarding force strength, the Army Guard constitutes 40% of the Army's operational force, fielding eight full divisions, while the Air National Guard provides 30% of the Air Force's operational forces across 90 wings. Hegseth applauded the National Guard's integral role in high-profile missions such as Operation Midnight Hammer, which showcased exquisite warfighting capabilities and combat experience. 

"I don't have to remind you all of that," he said. "[Midnight Hammer] and Operation Absolute Resolve demonstrated the ripple effect of American power. You have to prove you can TKO again and again." 

Hegseth, a former Army National Guard infantry officer who served in units across six states, noted the unique skill sets that reside in the National Guard, where members balance civilian careers with service.  

He stressed the guard also advances both the second and third pillars of the NDS — deterring China in the Indo-Pacific region through strength rather than confrontation and increasing burden-sharing with allies and partners — through DOW's National Guard State Partnership Program. The SPP now encompasses partnerships with 116 nations linked to the National Guard of a state, territory or D.C. Of those, 18 are in the Indo-Pacific area of operations, and 30 are in Central and South America, supporting counter-narco-terrorism efforts and enabling partners to lead regionally. 

Globally, the U.S. is enabling allies and partners to "step up and take the lead" in their own defense. Hegseth applauded the guard's partnerships in the Western Hemisphere, where he said the department has "only just begun to counter narco-terrorists and cartels." 

"Military-to-military partnerships pay off in spades, and the SPP is a bedrock of that," he said. "Countries are ready to go when they see we are with them." 

He noted the ingenuity of guard soldiers and airmen in leveraging skills and experience to help shape future warfighting equipment.  

"We welcome your feedback and bottom-up input from the troop-level to know we're fielding the right systems, when and where we need them." 

On the personnel side, Hegseth said one facet of restoring the warrior ethos is to reduce or eliminate unnecessary "mandatory" trainings and slideshow briefings and instead, empower commanders and noncommissioned officers to lead lethality-focused training. 

"We hope it makes drill weekend and annual training a little better," he said.