Personnel

Space Force probably needs twice as many guardians, vice chief says

The service’s budget and constellation have doubled since its founding, Gen. Shawn Bratton noted.

As combat evolves, leaders seek not ‘super-athletes’ but ‘human weapon systems’

The military wants to measure and build the ability to perform missions, not just do pushups.

Sen. Kelly sues Hegseth over penalties for 'illegal orders' video

The combat veteran's 46-page suit says Trump administration attempts to punish him violate the First Amendment, separation of powers, due process, and more.

Hegseth aims to dock Sen. Kelly's pension for illegal-orders video

The defense secretary, who originally threatened to court-martial the senator, said on Monday said that he would instead try to reduce his rank and retirement pay.

2025 in review: policy

A turbulent first year of the second Trump administration brought precedent-breaking security strategy and hasty cuts to the DOD workforce.

Leaders tapped to fill months-long vacancies atop NSA, Cyber Command

The signals-intelligence titan and the combatant command have been without a permanent leader since April.

Trump rebrands Congressionally-approved troop housing subsidy as ‘warrior dividend’ bonus

More than $2.9 billion in reconciliation funds was allocated to beef up troop housing allowances. Now it’s being used for $1,776 checks.

After shedding thousands of feds, Trump admin's new 'Tech Force' aims to recruit workers to two-year jobs

Some of the recruits to government service will be on leaves of absence from private-sector companies, raising conflict-of-interest questions.

Exclusive

There’s a divide within the Space Force. Congress is forcing the service to address it

The new service was supposed to meld the “tribes” of operators and acquisition specialists. It didn’t happen.

Provision to protect DOD civilians’ union rights stripped from NDAA

The House dropped bipartisan language that would have nullified Trump's anti-union orders after the Senate balked at a fight.

Pentagon would have to explain future JAG firings under NDAA provision

The compromise version of the defense policy bill reflects lawmakers’ concern about Hegseth’s February purge of three judge advocates general.

NSA has 2,000 fewer people now, meeting Trump-admin goal

The exact size of the agency’s workforce is not publicly known, but a fact sheet distributed by Maryland last year put it at 39,000.

Foreign spies see opportunity in fed workers' uncertainty, Army warns

The service's deputy chief for intelligence told more than a million soldiers, civilian employees, and family members to be on their guard.