Author Archive
Elizabeth Howe
Assistant Editor, Defense One

Elizabeth Howe is assistant editor at Defense One. Born on Andrews Air Force Base, Md., she moved with her Air Force family 16 times in 18 years. She earned a B.A. and M.A. at Virginia Tech and has experience in defense journalism, social media management, and podcasting. She is also zookeeper to two dumpster cats and a German Shepherd.
Threats
It’s Time to Base Fifth-Gen Fighter Jets on Guam, INDOPACOM Chief Says
China’s buildup means F-35s or F-22s should do more than exercise from the Pacific island, Aquilino said.
- Elizabeth Howe
Policy
Army Suicide Numbers for 2022 ‘Significantly Lower,’ Army Secretary Says
A proposed $99 million gym in Alaska is at the top of the service chief's unfunded priorities list.
- Elizabeth Howe
Policy
What Have US Special Operators Learned from the Ukraine War?
The Army, for one, is considering creating a special-operations drone specialty.
- Elizabeth Howe
Policy
What Would Ukrainian ‘Victory’ Look Like? GOP Lawmaker Asks
Defense Secretary Austin was just the latest government official to be accused of swerving questions about how the war in Ukraine will end.
- Elizabeth Howe
Policy
Are US Troops Still Training Ukrainians?
The military’s top officials did not clear things up on Tuesday.
- Elizabeth Howe
Policy
Defense Secretary, Joint Chiefs Chair Rebuff Claims Vaccine Mandate Hurts Recruiting
GOP lawmakers try to pin recruiting, retention misses on DOD’s COVID requirements.
- Elizabeth Howe
Policy
In About-Face, Army Expects to Shrink Next Year
Chief of Staff McConville says recruiters need to reach families whose children have not served.
- Elizabeth Howe
Policy
Teleworking DOD Civilians May Be Recalled to In-Person Work
Two years after the pandemic sent DOD into “maximum telework,” Thursday’s memo points the way toward a new new normal.
- Bradley Peniston and Elizabeth Howe
Threats
Reports of Sexual Assault, Harassment at Military Academies Spike
The number of reports likely still represents only a small portion of actual instances of sexual assault and harassment.
- Elizabeth Howe
Policy
The Army’s New Decades-Long Climate Strategy Has No Budget
The strategy includes a list of tangible objectives but no corresponding cost estimates.
- Elizabeth Howe
Policy
Army To Begin Involuntary Separations for 3,300 Soldiers Who Refused COVID Vaccine
Another 5,870 soldiers have pending exemption requests.
- Elizabeth Howe
Policy
DOD Grants First Religious Waivers for COVID Vaccine
Two Marines are the first successful applicants among the 18,500 U.S. troops who have sought exemption from the vaccination mandate by citing religious beliefs.
- Elizabeth Howe
Policy
Denials, Not Approvals, Greet Troops’ Religious Vax Exemptions
No service has yet publicly announced that any service member has received a religion-based exemption from the Pentagon’s COVID-vaccination mandate.
- Elizabeth Howe
Policy
Army Commanders Relieved Over Vaccine Refusal
Battalion COs among the six soldiers removed from their jobs as service deadline passes.
- Elizabeth Howe
Threats
Veterans Are Being Recruited by Extremist Groups. How Do We Help Them Say No?
Training must start while people are on active duty, experts said.
- Elizabeth Howe
Threats
Merchant Marine Academy Woes Imperil National Security, Report Finds
The Academy didn’t seem to “really be aware of the changes that were going on in the shipping industry,” one investigator said.
- Elizabeth Howe
Threats
Inflation Deepens Food Insecurity for Military Families
SecDef Austin rolls out tools for leaders, orders up plan to fix the problem.
- Elizabeth Howe
Policy
Army Recruiters on TikTok Dance Around Ban To Reach Gen Z
As threat worries subside, one sergeant has nearly half a million followers on the China-based app—and the Army wants her advice.
- Elizabeth Howe
Threats
Zero Religious Exemptions Granted for COVID Vaccines in Air Force, As Deadline Passes
Nearly 5,000 religious exemptions are still pending approval.
- Elizabeth Howe