Trump Announces New Class of Battleship

Dec. 22, 2025 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

President Donald J. Trump today announced the Navy's intent to develop a new class of American-designed, 30,000 to 40,000-ton large surface combatants, or battleships, that will be employed to meet the realities of modern maritime conflict. 

"As commander in chief, it's my great honor to announce that I have approved a plan for the Navy to begin the construction of two brand-new, very large — largest we've ever built — battleships," Trump announced from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. He was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Navy Secretary John Phelan. 

The new Trump-class of ships — which the president said will contribute to a new "golden fleet" of advanced warships — are currently in the design phase, with construction of the first battleship, the USS Defiant, targeted for the early 2030s. 

Phelan said that the new class of battleship is something the Navy "desperately needs." The president noted that the Navy aims to have a fleet of 20 to 25 ships eventually. 

"The future Trump-class battleship, the USS Defiant, will be the largest, deadliest and most versatile and best-looking warship anywhere on the world's oceans," Phelan said, adding that he wanted to thank the president for his vision to make the future battleship a game-changing capability for the U.S. Navy.    

Phelan also compared the future Trump-class battleships to the former Iowa-class battleships, which were a cornerstone of the Navy's warship fleet for much of the 20th century. 

"The Iowa was designed to go on the attack with the biggest guns, and that's exactly what will define the Trump-class battleships: offensive firepower from the biggest guns of our era," Phelan said.  

"This ship isn't just to swat the arrows; it is going to reach out and kill the archers," he added. 

During his remarks, Hegseth said that strengthening the Navy's fleet ties directly to the War Department's key goals of restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military and reestablishing deterrence.  

"American strength is back on the world stage, and the announcement of the golden fleet anchored by new battleships — the biggest and most lethal ever — accomplishes all three of those things and marks a generational commitment to American sea power across the entire department," Hegseth said.  

During the announcement, Trump made clear that the new battleships are intended to be constructed entirely in the U.S. by American citizens. 

"The construction will create thousands of American jobs. We're going to have the jobs be created," he said. 

Along with standard guns and missiles, Trump said the new battleships will be equipped with hypersonic weapons, electronic rail guns and high-powered laser-based weaponry. 

He added that the Navy will take the lead in the ships' design, while partnering with the U.S. defense industrial base. 

"We're going to make battle groups great again, and this is just one piece of the president's golden fleet that we're going to build with the investments," Phelan said.  

The new Trump-class battleships will replace the Navy's previous plans to develop a new class of destroyer, the DDG(X). However, the sea service intends to incorporate the capabilities it had planned to employ on that platform into the new Trump-class ships.  

The last time the Navy used battleships in combat was in 1991 during the first Gulf War, when the now-decommissioned Iowa-class battleships USS Missouri and USS Wisconsin provided naval gunfire support against Iraqi targets along the coast of Kuwait.   

Today's announcement of the Trump-class battleships comes on the heels of the Navy's Dec. 19 announcement of the FF(X), a new class of frigates intended to replace the Navy's recently cancelled Constellation-class frigate program. 

The War Department Announces First Round of FY 2026 APFIT Projects, Surpassing $1 Billion Awarded to Small Businesses

Dec. 22, 2025 |

The War Department today announced the first round of Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) projects selected for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, marking a historic milestone in advancing defense innovation and small business engagement for the program. With this announcement, APFIT has now awarded more than $1 billion to small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors across the nation, accelerating groundbreaking capabilities, strengthening the U.S. industrial base and enhancing warfighter readiness.

The FY 2026 project slate represents the next wave of innovative technologies rapidly transitioning from development to fielding and initial production. These awards continue to focus on delivering mission-critical capabilities at scale while expanding opportunity for small businesses in every region, including those in traditionally underrepresented and remote states.

"Crossing the billion-dollar threshold underscores APFIT’s commitment to America’s small business innovators," said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, "and we are proud to accelerate the delivery of these critical capabilities to our warfighters."

This year’s initial selections reflect the growing scale and maturity of the APFIT portfolio, with the average FY 2026 award now exceeding $30 million per project. The program also recorded its highest single award to date at $49.7 million, issued just under APFIT’s $50 million maximum statutory cap, demonstrating both the depth of operational need and APFIT’s ability to efficiently transition and scale mature technologies.

APFIT remains a cornerstone of War Department’s strategy to accelerate innovation and ensure the United States maintains its technological advantage. Additional FY 2026 projects will be announced throughout the fiscal year as they are selected.

The initial round of FY 2026 selections include*:

• Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) for Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD), $20.00 million, U.S. Marine Corps
• Deployable, Attritable Optical Systems, $22.15 million, U.S. Space Force
• Domestic High Performance UAS Batteries, $28.00 million, U.S. Navy
• Gremlin Low-Cost Munition, $35.00 million, U.S. Marine Corps
• High Frequency Intercept Direction Finding and Exploitation (HIDES), $21.66 million, U.S. Army
• Kraken 18 Communications Pod, $33.00 million, U.S. Navy
• Miniaturized Gyroscope for Resilient Navigation, $20.00 million, U.S. Marine Corps
• Mobile Smart Manufacturing for Airframe Spares, $25.00 million, U.S. Air Force
• Augmented Maneuver Vehicle for Satellites, $48.50 million, U.S. Space Force
• Real-Time Command and Control at the Tactical Edge, $49.70 million, U.S. Army
• Small Uncrewed Maritime Vessels, $24.00 million, U.S. Navy/U.S. Marine Corps
• Tactical High-Bandwidth, Low-Latency, high-capacity data network, $10.00 million, U.S. Marine Corps
• Trolling Uncrewed Navigation Assistant (TUNA) Seeker, $35.00 million, U.S. Marine Corps
• Whaleshark Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel (ALPV), $29.49 million, U.S. Marine Corps

*Does not include classified selections.

The Department of War Releases the 2026 Continental U.S. Cost-of-Living Allowance Rate

Dec. 22, 2025 |

The Department of War released the 2026 Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance rates today. These new rates will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. As a result of the 2026 adjustment, $99 million will be paid to approximately 127,000 uniformed service members stationed within Continental United States next year.

Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance is a supplemental allowance provided to service members and designed to help offset higher living expenses in the highest-cost locations in Continental United States. An area is considered high-cost if the non-housing cost of living for that area, inclusive of categories such as transportation and goods and services, exceeds a threshold of 107% of the national average. 

By law, a Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance rate is only prescribed when the index meets a certain threshold above the Continental United States average. Service members assigned to duty stations where the non-housing cost of living is at least seven percent above the national average are eligible for Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance. Data is adjusted to account for Basic Allowance for Subsistence, which is meant to offset the costs for a service member's meals and cost savings gained from shopping at commissaries and exchanges. 

For 2026, these are the Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance changes:

• Six military housing areas will begin receiving Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance; 
• Eight military housing areas will receive an increase in Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance; 
• Two military housing areas will continue receiving the Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance; 
• Two military housing areas will receive a decrease in Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance;
• Nine military housing areas will no longer receive Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance; and
• 21 counties will lose Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance for non-military housing areas in non-metropolitan counties. 

Military housing areas with the highest Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance rates:

• San Francisco, California        8%
• Oakland, California            6%
• Santa Clara County, California    5%
• Staten Island, New York        5%
• Seatle, Washington            5%

Military housing area with the largest decrease: 

• Humboldt County, California    5% to 0%

Military housing area with the largest increase: 

•  Seattle, Washington            0% to 5%

The total amount of Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance a service member receives varies based on geographic duty location, pay grade, years of service, and dependency status. Service members can calculate their Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance rate at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/CONUS-Cost-of-Living-Allowance/CONUS-COLA-Rate-Lookup/.  

Additional information about Continental United States Cost-of-Living Allowance can be found on the Defense Travel Management Office website at https://www.travel.dod.mil/Allowances/CONUS-Cost-of-Living-Allowance/. 

FY25 Sees Best Recruiting Numbers in 15 Years

 Dec. 22, 2025 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

In fiscal year 2025, the military's recruiting efforts returned to levels not seen in more than a decade. 

"Since November 2024, our military has seen its highest recruiting percentage of mission achieved in more than 15 years," stated Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell. 

This fiscal year, all active-duty services made mission. Most reserve components also met their mission goals, with the exception of the Army Reserve, which met 75% of its goal. 

How the active-duty components of each branch met their goals breaks down as follows: 

• The Army had a goal of 61,000 recruits and attained 62,050, totaling 101.72% of its goal. 
• The Navy had a goal of 40,600 recruits and attained 44,096, totaling 108.61% of its goal. 
• The Air Force had a goal of 30,100 recruits and attained 30,166, totaling 100.22% of its goal. 
• The Space Force had a goal of 796 recruits and attained 819, totaling 102.89% of its goal. 
• The Marine Corps had a goal of 26,600 recruits and attained 26,600, totaling 100% of its goal. 

All told, the five service branches collectively accomplished their mission with an average completion rate of 103%. 

Department leaders noted several factors that contributed to the strong recruitment numbers.  

"In 2025, the department exceeded our annual active-duty recruitment accession goals across all five services. ... Why? Because we have a commander in chief and a secretary of war who are focused on our troops and our mission, and on ensuring that we remain the most lethal fighting force on the planet," Undersecretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata said during a speech at a defense forum earlier this month.  

"Our nation's young people are responding," he added. 

Parnell also noted that leadership was a major factor in this year's recruiting results.  

"If you look at the data from November, from the election of President Trump and then Secretary Hegseth's confirmation thereafter, the numbers that we've seen during that time period have been historic." 

Tata and Parnell co-chair the department's Recruitment Task Force. 

Beyond the quality of leadership in recruitment, driving up numbers, the services have instituted practical improvements that are supporting recruiting gains. These changes include courses that help improve overall aptitude among recruits and enhanced medical screening processes.  

As an example of the latter, a medical records accession pilot program has significantly cut down on waiting times from when a recruit's initial paperwork is submitted to when they are allowed to be taken in by their local Military Entrance Processing Station. 

As little as a year ago, it could take up to 10 days between when a recruiter submits a recruit's initial accession paperwork and when that individual could find out if they have been cleared. Today, it takes one day or less. The new focus on speed helps avoid potential recruits from losing interest in serving.  

Regarding the current fiscal year, the department's recruiting efforts are already off to a strong and promising start, with the department having met nearly 40% of its delayed entry program accession mission at the start of fiscal year 2026.

"This is a historic figure and a testament to our support from the president and the secretary, as well as the great work being done by each of the services," said Tata. "The department is on track to once again meet our recruiting mission." 

There are always challenges in recruiting, with recruiters continuously working to increase interest among the youth market and medical disqualifiers plaguing the potential recruiting pool among them. 

To address some of these, the department is working to counter any pervasive misconceptions among the youth market about what it means to serve by highlighting the benefits of wearing the country's cloth. 

"Recruiting is a no-fail mission," Tata said. "We will continue to maintain focus on sustaining our momentum, meeting our targets and securing the warriors we need to achieve peace through strength."

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Tech. Sgt. Peter Dalessandro

Dec. 22, 2025 | By Katie Lange, Pentagon News |

By valiantly fighting his way through Europe and surviving as a prisoner of war, Army Tech. Sgt. Peter Joseph Dalessandro became one of the most highly decorated soldiers of World War II. When he started a career as a state senator afterward, he did so as a Medal of Honor recipient.

Dalessandro was born May 19, 1921, in Watervliet, New York, to Emilio and Maria Dalessandro. He had three brothers and two sisters and was educated in public schools. Little else has been published about his childhood.

When World War II broke out, Dalessandro joined the Army, and it didn't take long for him to get involved in combat overseas. He took part in the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Normandy, France, before fighting his way across Europe toward Germany.

Dalessandro was part of Company E, 1st Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, during the winter of 1944. Around Christmastime, his unit was ordered to replace another on the Belgian-German border during what became known as the Battle of the Bulge, Germany's last major offensive that surprised exhausted Allied troops in the region.

On Dec. 22, 1944, Dalessandro's platoon was preparing to hold the line at an important road junction on high ground near Kalterherberg, Germany. They had only been there for about two hours when three enemy companies fired an intense round of artillery and mortars in their direction. Soon after, enemy soldiers charged at them in an attack that threatened to overwhelm the platoon's position.

Dalessandro saw his men faltering, so he braved the intense fire and made his way through the group to give them encouragement. Dalessandro then moved to a fully exposed observation post, where he adjusted mortar fire onto the enemy soldiers while firing at them with his rifle. The whole time, he continued to encourage his platoon to push back the attack.

When the enemy launched a second attack later that day, Dalessandro again took control of the situation by rushing to a forward position and calling for mortar fire.

When he ran out of rifle ammunition, Dalessandro crawled 30 yards across exposed ground to grab a light machine gun, which he took back to his position and fired toward the enemy at nearly point-blank range until it jammed. Thankfully, Dalessandro managed to get the gun to fire one more burst, which took out four German soldiers who were about to kill two wounded U.S. soldiers and a medical corpsman in a nearby foxhole.

As the enemy moved in, Dalessandro didn't retreat. Instead, he hurled grenades and called for mortar fire that came closer and closer to his position, all while covering his platoon so they could withdraw. As German soldiers swarmed him, Dalessandro was heard calling for yet another barrage, yelling, "OK, mortars, let me have it right in this position!"

Dalessandro's bravery and fearlessness allowed his fellow soldiers to escape. However, he was captured and held prisoner for about five months until the war ended. He was then sent back to the U.S.

During a White House ceremony Aug. 23, 1945, Dalessandro received the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman for his courage in Europe. He was one of 28 service members who received the honor that day. Dalessandro had also received three Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star and the French Croix de Guerre, making him one of the most decorated soldiers of World War II.

Soon after returning home, Dalessandro turned to politics. He was elected as a Democrat to the New York state senate in 1946 and served six terms in that capacity until resigning in 1957 to become the secretary to the Senate minority leader, according to a 1997 article in the Massachusetts newspaper the North Adams Transcript.

That same year, Dalessandro married Patricia Farley. The pair had two daughters, Maribeth and Bernadette.

Dalessandro moved to Latham, New York, in 1969, where he remained until he died on Oct. 15, 1997. The World War II veteran is buried in Saratoga Springs National Cemetery in Saratoga Springs, New York.

In 1987, Dalessandro Boulevard in Albany County, New York, was dedicated in his honor.

War Department Ensures Valuable Wage Grade Employees Earn Prevailing Wages

Dec. 19, 2025 | By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News |

The War Department released updated pay tables for Federal Wage System employees nationwide to ensure that skilled and talented workers earn the prevailing wages they deserve, no matter where they serve.

"FWS employees are essential to our operations, our readiness and our mission. They are key to U.S. dominance around the globe. With the support of President [Donald J.] Trump and Secretary [of War Pete] Hegseth, we are taking action to recognize and retain this high-demand, low-density talent within the department, and build our pipeline for the future," said Undersecretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata. 

About 140,000 FWS employees will see pay increases as a result of the updated pay tables, approved by the wage committee on Nov. 25, a senior War Department official said. Additionally, because for a short time the wage committee was unable to update the pay tables to reflect prevailing wages, those employees will also receive back pay. 

The department's FWS employees include men and women with the skills to repair or overhaul submarines, ships, airplanes and other military hardware, and to also do other kinds of skilled labor. The senior official said those pipefitters, welders, plumbers, electrical and sheet metal workers, for instance — about 210 trade, craft and labor occupational fields in all — are in high demand in both the private and public sector, and they are critical to maintaining the readiness and lethality of America's combat systems. 

"Our wage grade employees are on the line building the ships, building submarines, and making sure that the Department of War has the equipment it needs to win wars," the senior official said. "They're irreplaceable; they're highly essential to our mission and ... we need to make sure that they're properly paid for their invaluable contributions."

The senior official said ensuring FWS employees get prevailing wages is important for two reasons. First, it's one way the department retains the talent that keeps its warfighting equipment in top shape. And second, it's how the department attracts new talent. 

"For potential applicants, it is important that they know that we are constantly meeting the mark to recruit them and that if they come to work for the Department of War, we will pay them a prevailing rate. We will pay them for their hard work and dedication to this mission that is so important to our nation." 

When newly minted welders, plumbers or electricians, for instance, begin looking for work, they could go anywhere. The senior official said that when the government offers prevailing wages, it becomes an even more attractive option for work, especially when coupled with the War Department's mission. 

"You get to see the results of your work being used to defend the nation, sailing the seas, flying the skies and protecting not only your family but the families of those around you. There is a great sense of accomplishment in that." 

Marine Corps Announces Updated Physical Fitness Standards

Dec. 19, 2025 | By Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Claudia Nix, Marine Corps Training and Education Command |

The Marine Corps is implementing changes to its physical fitness test and body composition standards in accordance with the secretary of war's military fitness standards memorandum issued Sept. 30. These changes, announced in MARADMIN 613/25, will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

The Marine Corps will institute sex-neutral scoring for the physical fitness test for Marines with a combat arms primary military occupational specialty. The PFT will require those Marines to achieve a minimum score of 210 points, 70% of the total possible points, using the male, age-normed scoring standard outlined in Marine Corps Order 6100.13A.  

The PFT will continue to be administered annually, from Jan. 1 to June 30. Noncombat arms Marines will continue to follow existing sex- and age-normed standards.   

The new PFT standards reflect the unique physical demands of combat arms roles, ensuring Marines are prepared for the sustained physical performance required in direct combat. Those who do not meet the 210-point requirement by the end of the reporting period will be assigned to remedial physical training and may be subject to reclassification and/or promotion restriction.   

"Our combat arms MOSs require rigorous physical readiness for direct ground combat," said Marine Corps Col. James Derrick, director of the Training Standards Division at the Marine Corps Training and Education Command. "These changes ensure all combat arms Marines meet the same high sex-neutral standards."   

The Marine Corps is also revising its body composition evaluation process. The current height and weight standards, along with the tape test, will be replaced by a new waist-to-height ratio method. The Marine Corps will publish service-specific standards upon receipt of additional War Department guidance.  

In the interim, the current height/weight and tape tests will continue, with body composition analysis used for additional assessments when necessary.   

Although the new PFT standards will begin Jan. 1, 2026, updates to Manpower Information Systems are expected to take six to eight months, with full implementation projected within a year. The Marine Corps is committed to ensuring a smooth transition and will continue to coordinate with stakeholders to support these changes.   

Units are required to follow interim administrative guidance until full implementation of the system and policy revisions as outlined in MARADMIN 613/25 are complete.   

These changes ensure that the Marine Corps' physical fitness standards continue to support operational effectiveness and combat readiness. The Marine Corps will continue to assess guidance and execution to ensure compliance with higher headquarters.

DLA Troop Support Subsistence Keeps Morale Alive With Holiday Meals

Dec. 19, 2025 | By Maurice Matthews II, Defense Logistics Agency |

While Santa Claus prepares his Christmas Eve deliveries, the Defense Logistics Agency has already delivered holiday cheer in the form of meals to service members stationed around the world. 

"There's no question our team understands the importance of holiday meals and the tremendous impact they have on warfighter morale," said DLA Troop Support Subsistence Director Navy Capt. Tim Griffin. "Our team takes tremendous pride in providing holiday meals to warfighters around the globe each year; it's one of our most important missions. The planning phase begins in the spring, and we receive orders soon after."  

A feat like this does not come without its challenges.  

Griffin noted the USS Gerald Ford Carrier Strike Group was initially planned to spend Christmas in a different global location, but when they were diverted to U.S. Southern Command to support Operation Southern Spear, DLA Troop Support Subsistence had to quickly pivot to ensure meals were delivered on time.   

"Our team sprung into action and worked closely with our mission partners in U.S. 5th Fleet, U.S. 6th Fleet, Naval Supply Systems Command, Military Sealift Command, Commander Task Force 53, Commander Task Force 63, DLA Troop Support Europe and Africa, and one of our subsistence prime vendors in Europe to deliver meals to the Ford CSG before they departed their previous [area of responsibility] in early November," Griffin said. 

An additional challenge that impeded the mission of the Christmas meals was avian bird flu import restrictions in Japan, which hindered the subsistence prime vendor from finding turkeys for service members in that country.  

"Eventually, we located compliant turkeys in another AOR and worked with that vendor to obtain the proper [U.S. Department of Agriculture] certification to legally ship those turkeys into Japan," said Sean Gemmell, DLA's division chief for prime vendors outside the continental United States. "As expected, Troop Support overcame every challenge presented and successfully delivered Christmas meals to service members serving around the globe."  

"Everyone in subsistence — including 33% who are veterans — knows mission failure is not an option when providing a taste of home to the warfighter," said Robin Whaley, DLA’s division chief for customer operations outside the continental United States. "Eggnog, candy, and desserts such as cakes, pies and ice cream are major morale boosters for our service members."

In addition to those sweet treats, this year, military members will feast on: 

• 101,943 pounds of turkey (includes whole and roasted turkey), 
• 85,439 pounds of beef, 
• 40,615 pounds of ham,  
• 24,495 pounds of shrimp,  
• 4,339 cans of sweet potatoes,  
• 6,426 cases of pies and cakes, 
• 1,496 cases of eggnog,  
• and other holiday treats. 

"Sitting down to enjoy a good holiday meal, made from food provided by Troop Support, helps to build morale, combat loneliness and [aid] homesickness," Whaley said. "For every service member serving in isolated locations of foreign countries, knowing they can look forward to having a meal that reminds them of home is priceless."

K9 Holistic Health Is Doggone Delightful

Dec. 18, 2025 | By Army Staff Sgt. Raquel Birk, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa |

For the handlers of the 525th Military Working Dog Detachment, 18th Military Police Brigade, readiness isn't just about the mission — it's about maintaining the total health of their most trusted partners.

Through the U.S. Army's new Canine Holistic Health and Fitness program, the detachment based in Vicenza, Italy, is redefining what it means to be mission-ready, one paw at a time. 
 
The Army established the K9H2F program under Army Directive 2025-16 to enhance the wellness, performance and quality of life of MWDs Aug. 21. The directive mandates all Army MWD units to implement comprehensive health and welfare standards, aligning with War Department and Army veterinary care policies. 
 
Modeled after the Soldier Holistic Health and Fitness system, K9H2F takes a science-based, whole-dog approach — addressing physical fitness, nutrition, behavioral health and recovery. For the 525th MWD team, that means every dog receives the same level of conditioning and care as any elite military athlete in uniform. 
 
"Our dogs are tactical athletes," said Army Staff Sgt. Payton R. May, kennel noncommissioned officer in charge, 525th MWD Detachment, 18th Military Police Brigade. "They train hard, they work hard and they deserve the same attention to fitness, nutrition and injury prevention that we give our soldiers. The H2F program helps us keep them in top condition so they can perform safely and effectively in any environment." 
 
A key component of the directive, the Partner and Wellness program, ensures handlers and their assigned MWDs relocate together during permanent changes of station, strengthening continuity and the human-K9 bond.

 
"When I [moved] to Italy, being able to bring my dog with me made a huge difference," said Army Spc. Matthew C. Skalisky, a patrol explosive detector dog handler assigned to the 525th MWD. "It helps us maintain that trust and teamwork that can't be replaced. The PAW program makes sure that bond doesn't get broken." 
 
Each MWD now follows structured conditioning routines designed to build strength, endurance and agility while reducing the risk of injury. Specialized diets, recovery protocols and enrichment activities round out their regimen, ensuring each dog remains physically capable and mentally resilient. 
 
According to Army Sgt. Maj. Viridiana Lavalle, Headquarters, Army Military Working Dog program manager, the initiative marks a major step forward in modern K9 care. 
 
"Proactive and data-driven K9 care is essential for optimizing the performance and longevity of MWDs, directly impacting mission readiness and effectiveness," Lavalle said. "By leveraging advanced analytics to monitor health metrics, exercise regimens and behavioral patterns, handlers can implement tailored care strategies that enhance the holistic health of MWDs." 
 
This strategic approach not only improves the physical capabilities of these vital assets but also supports K9 mental resilience, ensuring they are fully prepared for the demands of their critical roles.

 
"Ultimately, investing in comprehensive K9 care through data-driven insights enhances operational effectiveness, contributing to mission success and the overall safety of military personnel," Lavalle added. 
 
The holistic approach extends beyond the kennel. Handlers train alongside veterinary and behavioral specialists to better understand each dog's unique needs, improving communication and enhancing mission effectiveness. 
 
"The bond between handler and dog is everything," May said. "When you have that trust, that connection, the dog performs with confidence. The H2F program helps us strengthen that bond through better training, stress management and recovery practices." 
 
From explosive and narcotics detection to patrol duties across Europe and Africa, the 525th's military working dogs play a vital role in safeguarding soldiers and installations. The K9H2F program ensures those capabilities remain sharp on every mission, in every environment. 
 
"Investing in our dogs' health is investing in readiness," said Army Spc. Abigail M. Bentle, a patrol narcotics detector dog handler assigned to 525th MWD. "They're not just assets, they're teammates. When they're healthy, confident and capable, our entire formation is stronger."

 
Under the directive, the Army Provost Marshal General oversees program criteria and compliance, while the Surgeon General of the Army coordinates implementation guidance. Commanders are required to meet new kennel and enrichment standards within 90 days, and the policy will be incorporated into Army Regulation 190-12 within two years. 
 
For the soldiers and K9s of the 525th MWD Detachment, holistic fitness isn't just a program; it's a commitment to excellence that keeps both handlers and their four-legged partners ready for any mission. 

Hegseth, Senior Leaders Honor Military's Top Recruiters

Dec. 18, 2025 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and other senior War Department officials honored the military's top recruiters today during the inaugural Recruitment Excellence Forum at the Pentagon.

A byproduct of Hegseth's recently established Recruitment Task Force, the event aimed to recognize the hard work put in by 26 of the most successful recruiters from the departments of the Army, Navy and Air Force during fiscal year 2025. 

"This is to say thank you — first and foremost — and to recognize excellence, which is what we want to do here, in every service: [recognize] the best of the best, incentivize everybody [to] work hard and [then] reward that," Hegseth told the recruiters while gathered in the Pentagon's press briefing room. 

The secretary praised the recruiters for achieving the highest number of enlisted accessions in the past 15 years, with all branches averaging a roughly 104% mission completion rate. 

"There's a lot of things contributing to [why] someone may or may not qualify to get into the military [and] you guys cut through all of that. You find great Americans who want to serve, and you've signed them up in record numbers," Hegseth said. 

He noted that recruiting is closely monitored at the highest levels — including as high up as the White House — because it serves as a "feedback loop" from the American people.  

"You can talk about polls, [and] you can talk about money, but men and women willing to serve and put on the uniform is a reflection of the belief they have in civilian leadership and military leadership," Hegseth said.  

Along with recognizing the recruiters, Hegseth said the forum was an opportunity for the department to get feedback from the recruiters on how their jobs could be made easier — a sentiment echoed by other senior War Department leaders who attended the event. 

"What we want to hear is how [we] can help you. You're the best of the best; you're the most successful [recruiters] out there. How can we help you be more successful, and how can we help those that come behind you be more successful?" Undersecretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata said at the start of a roundtable discussion. 

"[Recruiting is] tough work. … You're convincing and talking to people about making a life-changing decision about service, and that is really difficult work," Chief Pentagon Spokesman and Senior Advisor Sean Parnell told the recruiters during the roundtable. 

"And we just want to let you know from the top of this building that you're appreciated … [and] we're going to do everything that we can to empower you, to cut red tape and to help you accomplish your mission," he added. 

Many of the recruiters in attendance explained what motivates them to do such a demanding and often taxing job. 

"It's 100% because of the impact that we make on young lives, on the individuals that I recruit that [might be] homeless, that don't have anything going for themselves … and they want to do something bigger with their lives and just serve their country," said Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Abel Layton Jr., a recruiter assigned to El Paso, Texas. 

"Watching them come back as Marines — that's 100% the main reason why I enjoy doing this job," he added. 

"[Recruiting is] important to me, and I think it's important to everyone I know who's in recruiting, because we are dedicated to the organization — and the goals and values of the organization — and [to] aligning those goals and values with the American public," explained Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Dupuis, a National Guard recruiter assigned to Denver. 

"We don't take people and give them a job; we take civilians, and we make them members of the military," he added. 

Some of the recruiters also expressed their appreciation for being invited to Washington and for being recognized by the Recruiting Excellence Forum. 

"It's an absolute honor to be here, first of all. It's really awesome to be recognized for the work that we're doing day in and day out, because it's not easy to be on recruiting duty, and I don't think a lot of people really understand it until they've been in it," said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Ashley Lynch, a recruiter assigned to Atlanta. 

"For them to put on something like this and to recognize the work that we're doing, I think it speaks volumes," she added. 

Hegseth closed out his remarks by once again underscoring the War Department's commitment to equipping the recruiting community with the tools it needs for success. 

"Our job is to create an environment to make you more successful as sailors, as warfighters … [and], if we're making your job easier and making you more effective, then we're doing our job correctly," he said. 

"Please give us all the information that you have … [and] feed it to our folks while you're here today so that we can improve even more," Hegseth told the recruiters, adding, "And just keep being the best of the best."

Department of War Statement on the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act

Dec. 17, 2025 |

Assistant to the Secretary of War for Public Affairs and Senior Advisor Sean Parnell provided the following statement:

"The Department of War thanks Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, Sen. Moran, Sen. Marshall, and Sen. Duckworth for their leadership on the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform Act which would enhance communications to improve aviation safety. The Department supports this legislation and appreciates the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation's continued partnership and dialogue to account for critical national security operations. The Department looks forward to continuing the productive dialogue with the Committee to finalize the bill, and working towards its ultimate passage."

Trump, Hegseth, Caine, Nordhaus Honor Soldiers, Interpreter Killed in Syria

Dec. 17, 2025 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Air Force Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus, chief of the National Guard Bureau, attended a dignified transfer today at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. 

The fallen are Army Sgts. William Howard and Edgar Torres Tovar, both assigned to 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa Army National Guard, and Ayad Mansoor Sakat, who was working as an interpreter. They were deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.   

They died Dec. 13 in Palmyra, Syria, from injuries sustained while engaging with hostile forces. 

Earlier in the week, leaders commented on the news. 

"We mourn the loss, and we pray for them and their parents and their loved ones," Trump said. 

In a social media post, Hegseth asked the nation to join him in "prayer for the souls of the brave soldiers ... who were killed by Islamic terrorists in Syria," adding, "Their memory will live on through their families, their fellow warriors still serving our country, and in my unwavering commitment to our warfighters around the globe."   

Nordhaus said in a social media post that the entire National Guard family mourns their loss. 

"Our hearts are with their families, loved ones and the Iowa National Guard during this time of profound sorrow," he added. "We honor their courage and sacrifice, and we will never forget them or their service." 

NORAD Celebrates 70 Years of Tracking Santa

Dec. 16, 2025 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

This Christmas season marks seven decades of the North American Aerospace Defense Command tracking Santa Claus on radar as he flies his reindeer-powered sleigh around the globe. 

"NORAD tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your house," said a senior NORAD official. 

Fighter pilots have intercepted Santa many times over the years. When they do, the pilots tip their wings in greetings and often take photos, the official said. 

NORAD has Santa cams in space that take video of him flying. These videos appear online almost every hour on Christmas Eve. 

NORAD's Santa Operations Center is fully functional beginning Dec. 24 at 4 a.m. MST. Children can call 877-446-6723 to talk directly to a Santa tracker, who will be able to tell callers his current location. Operators are available until midnight. 

More than 1,000 Canadian and American uniformed personnel, War Department civilians and local participants at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where NORAD is located, volunteer their time Christmas Eve to answer the hundreds of thousands of phone calls that come in from around the world. 

Santa is currently at the North Pole where he lives with Mrs. Claus and the elves, who make toys and take care of the reindeer year-round. Each year on Dec. 24, Santa Claus and his reindeer launch from the North Pole very early in the morning for their famous trip around the world. 

The minute they launch, NORAD starts to track him, the official said. 

Besides tracking Santa, NORAD is responsible for aerospace and maritime warning in defense of North America. The organization is jointly run by the U.S. and Canadian militaries. 

NORAD's predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command, began tracking Santa in 1955. NORAD took over in 1958. 

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Pfc. Dirk Vlug

Dec. 15, 2025 | By Katie Lange, Pentagon News |

During World War II, Army Pfc. Dirk John Cornelius Vlug singlehandedly went up against five enemy tanks during the liberation of the Philippines, and miraculously, he won. The modest Midwesterner's brazen actions allowed his company to further its goal, and they made him the recipient of the nation's highest honor for valor.

Vlug was born Aug. 20, 1916, in Maple Lake, Minnesota, to Dutch immigrants Isaac and Mina Vlug. He had four sisters and a brother.

When Vlug was 6, the family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, so his father could pursue better work opportunities. According to a 1987 Grand Rapids Press newspaper article, when the Great Depression hit, Vlug dropped out of high school and began working to help support the family.

By April 1941, Vlug was drafted into the Army as a cannoneer assigned to the 1st Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division. After the attacks on Pearl Harbor, the division was one of the first Army units sent to the Pacific theater in April 1942. The 32nd Infantry Division went on to spend more days in combat than any other division.

Vlug took part in several island-hopping campaigns across the Pacific. By autumn 1944, the 32nd Infantry had landed on Leyte Island in the Philippines as part of the campaign to liberate it from Japanese forces that had pushed the Allies out two years prior.

On Dec. 15, 1944, Vlug's Headquarters Company was defending an American roadblock near the village of Limon when they saw a group of enemy tanks moving toward them. Almost immediately, Vlug left the safety of his covered position and moved alone toward the tanks, despite the intense enemy machine gun and 37 mm fire directed his way. Armed with a rocket launcher and six rounds of ammunition, he took aim and fired, destroying the first tank and killing all its occupants with a single round.

As the crew of the second tank jumped off their vehicle to attack on foot, Vlug killed one of them with his pistol. The other attackers then ran back to their tank; however, once they were inside, Vlug proceeded to destroy it with a second rocket launcher round.

When three more enemy tanks moved up the road, Vlug flanked the first and took it out before pushing through a hail of enemy fire to destroy the second. He then used his last round of ammunition on the final tank, causing it to crash down a steep embankment.

Without any assistance, Vlug had destroyed five hostile tanks and killed numerous enemy soldiers. That heroism helped his company hold the blockade and later push forward toward liberation.

After being discharged from the Army in June 1945, Vlug returned to Grand Rapids and worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs for a short time before taking a job at a manufacturing plant where his brother also worked. He was on the job when he learned that he was to receive the Medal of Honor. It was an honor he remained modest about his whole life.

"I was no different than any other soldier. I saw a chance and took it," Vlug said of his actions during a Grand Rapids Press interview in 1980. "I guess, though, you have to be a keyed-up sort of guy to do what I did. You can't just sit back and let things happen."

On June 7, 1946, Vlug received the nation's highest honor for valor from President Harry S. Truman during a White House ceremony that also honored three other soldiers and one Marine.

Later that year, Vlug married Angie Sikkema, whom he'd initially been introduced to during the war via mail and later met in person after returning to the States, newspapers reported. The couple went on to have three daughters.

Vlug continued his military service by serving for two years in the National Guard, rising to the rank of master sergeant. He took a job as a mail carrier in 1950 and held that position for 26 years before retiring.

In his later years, Vlug enjoyed golfing, bowling and building birdhouses, and he remained active among veterans' groups. According to his family and friends, his life was characterized by humility, and he rarely talked about his exploits during the war.

In 1992, Vlug received Michigan's highest military honor, the Distinguished Service Medal. Two years later, the 78-year-old was one of two Medal of Honor recipients invited to attend the 50th commemoration of the liberation of the Philippines. Vlug and his wife made the trek to the island nation, his first time setting foot there since the war.   

Vlug died on June 25, 1996, at the age of 79. He is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Grand Rapids.

His home state has not forgotten his heroics. In 1999, a section of the Veterans Memorial Parkway in Grand Rapids was renamed Dirk Vlug Way. His Medal of Honor is also on permanent display at the Michigan Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth, Michigan.  

Trump Awards Soldiers, Marines Border Defense Medal

Dec. 15, 2025 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

President Donald J. Trump awarded a group of 13 soldiers and Marines with the recently established Mexican Border Defense Medal during a ceremony today at the White House.  

Established Aug. 13, 2025, via a memo signed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the MBDM — which is backdated to Jan. 20 — recognizes service members who deployed as part of Joint Task Force Southern Border to the U.S.-Mexico border to provide military support for the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

"On Day 1 of my administration, I signed an executive order making it [the] core mission of the United States military to protect and defend the homeland, and today we're here to honor our military men and women for their central role in the protection of our border," Trump said prior to the presentation of the medals. 

The president added that border security was an issue he placed a great deal of emphasis on during his most recent campaign for the presidency, and that the men and women of the military are doing an outstanding job of ensuring that security. 

"They're unbelievable; they make us all look good," Trump said of the service members. 

Hegseth spoke about the border mission's importance earlier in the day while meeting with the awardees at the Pentagon.  

"I think it's really cool that the folks that we have here … get a chance to stand there with their commander in chief in front of the country, for this incredible mission, which started on Day 1 of this administration," Hegseth told the group. 

He went on to say that border security is a core mission related to defending the U.S. in its own hemisphere.  

"It's getting down to that border and getting control of it; and whether it's hanging concertina wire and reinforcing fencing or patrolling … you guys have jumped at the mission, gotten after it, and I think it's been six months of effectively zero crossings on the southern border, which [was] the goal," he continued.  

Hegseth also explained that the newly issued MBDM is an exact replica of the original Mexican Border Service Medal, which was created in 1918 and awarded to U.S. troops who fought against the paramilitary forces of Francisco "Pancho" Villa during the Mexican Revolution.

Many of the awardees — who, according to Hegseth, represent approximately 25,000 service members who currently qualify for the MBDM — said they felt honored to be recognized for their efforts on the border. 

"It's an absolute honor, you know, because I have a lot [of friends] out there [on the border] that do a lot of good on this mission, and to see that what we do is actually making an impact and seeing the result is absolutely astonishing; it's awesome," said Army Sgt. Jhonier Marin, a reservist assigned to the 808th Engineer Company who spent months patrolling the border near El Centro, California, and Eagle Pass, Texas. 

"[The border mission] was very impactful. I feel what we're doing [benefits] the country, and it feels good to see the benefit of the work that [the military] has done," said Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Zeth Collins, who served as a welder and boom operator in support of JTF-SB.  

"This is not a secondary mission. … This is the front [line] of the defense of this country. We're taking it seriously [and] it starts with human beings," Hegseth told the awardees.

"You're on the front lines of locking it down for the American people; so, thank you for everything you've done," he added.  

Prior to the MBDM's aforementioned revival, service members who served on the border were recognized with the Armed Forces Service Medal.

Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesman, Sean Parnell, on the Restoring Honor to Service Members Separated Under the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Mandate Memorandum

Dec. 15, 2025 |

The Secretary of War recently directed the military departments to proactively review personnel records of service members involuntarily discharged solely for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine and facilitate discharge upgrades as appropriate.  

Under the previous administration, the Department involuntarily separated approximately 8,700 Service members for failing to comply with the Department's since-rescinded COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Of those, more than 3,000 received less than honorable discharge characterizations. The military departments have been directed to complete their respective proactive reviews within one calendar year. Former service members won't need to do anything; the Department will look into the potential upgrades on its own.

Any service member or veteran who believes that their records reflect an error or injustice should visit the military review boards website at https://www.milreviewbds.mil for information on how to apply for relief.

Additionally, the Department is eager to welcome those former service members back to service. Individuals will have until April 1, 2026, to take advantage of this reinstatement opportunity. More information can be found at https://www.war.gov/Spotlights/COVID-19-Reinstatement/.

The Department is committed to ensuring that everyone who should have received a fully honorable discharge receives one and continues to right wrongs and restore confidence in, and honor to our fighting force.

High-Tech Helpers: NORAD Volunteers Track Santa's Journey

Dec. 15, 2025 | By Katie Lange, Pentagon News |

Each December, millions of families around the world follow along as Santa Claus makes his Yuletide trek around the globe, but the holiday tradition wouldn't be possible without the North American Aerospace Defense Command's Santa Tracker.  

The Santa-tracking enterprise has grown into a massive volunteer operation that started by accident decades ago. 

Kids across the U.S. have grown accustomed to following Santa's journey by tracking his flight path online or by making an old-fashioned phone call to NORAD to find out where his next stop is. They're also able to play games and watch videos of his progress through the mobile "NORAD Tracks Santa" app.  

All of this is possible, of course, thanks to hard-working personnel at NORAD. They start the task of tracking Santa each November, when NORADSanta.org starts getting inquiries from families. About 50 national and local contributors help set up the website, apps and phone lines, while about 1,000 uniformed personnel, War Department civilians, their families and supporters volunteer their time on Christmas Eve to answer questions on St. Nick's whereabouts.

High-Tech Tools Required 

NORAD protects the skies over North America all year long, so it makes sense that the command is especially equipped for this mission.

NORAD's powerful radar system, called the North Warning System, has 49 installations across Alaska and northern Canada. As soon as that radar system picks up on Santa departing from the North Pole, NORAD tracks him using infrared sensors from globally integrated satellites that normally allow NORAD to see heat from launched rockets or missiles. As Santa flies through the skies, satellites track his position by detecting Rudolph's nose, which gives off an infrared signature similar to that of a missile. 

NORAD also uses U.S. Air Force F-15, F-16, F-22 and Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter jets to track Santa. On Christmas Eve, fighter pilots rendezvous with Santa off the coast of Newfoundland to welcome him to the continent. They then safely escort him through North American airspace until he's ready to return to the North Pole.  

The operation has become a well-oiled machine over the years, but it wasn't always. In fact, the whole thing began as a fluke.  

An Accident Becomes Tradition 

In 1955, the folks at the previously named Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center in Colorado were working a typical night shift when Air Force Col. Harry Shoup received a phone call from a child in Colorado Springs. Using directions he found in a local newspaper ad, the boy tried to call Santa directly. However, the number in the ad was printed incorrectly, so instead, he called CADCOC.  

Shoup could have been a scrooge about the whole thing, but he wasn't. He entertained the boy's call as well as the rest of the calls that came through because of the misprinted number. Throughout the night, Shoup and his operators answered the calls, and thus began a new tradition. 

The role of tracking Ole St. Nick was handed to NORAD when the command was formed in 1958, and it's been getting more popular and more technologically savvy ever since. Aside from calling in to talk, kids can now use social media and a mobile app to follow Santa. Artificial intelligence services help track him, and the website NORADSanta.org offers a countdown clock, games and videos available in several languages. 

New in 2025, people can call into the operations center directly through a free calling option on the website, allowing millions more families overseas to call NORAD for updates on Santa's journey.   

The tracking of Santa is a holiday tradition around the world. On Christmas Eve in 2024, NORADSanta.org received approximately 32 million views from around the globe, while call center volunteers answered about 380,000 calls. The @noradsanta Facebook page currently has 1.9 million followers, more than 207,500 follow along at @noradsanta on X and about 29,500 people follow @NoradTracksSanta_Official on Instagram.  

The call center opens at 6 a.m. EST Dec. 24. Kids can call 877-Hi-NORAD (877-446-6723) to find out Santa's location, or use the above website, mobile app or social media. But officials warned that Santa only comes if children are asleep, so make sure they get into bed early, so he doesn't miss your house. 

Happy tracking, everyone!