Risk of developing ALS varies by service, study finds

Air Force, Coast Guard and Navy veterans had the highest rates of ALS diagnosis in an analysis of more than 14,400 cases.

militarytimes.com

Shrapnel, broken bones and head trauma: New records show how US troops were wounded in Iran war

New details reveal the extent of service members’ injuries.

militarytimes.com

230 troops discharged for refusing COVID-19 vaccine have rejoined, Pentagon says

Roughly 2.7% of the thousands who left the service over the vaccine mandate have rejoined and another 7% have expressed interest in returning.

militarytimes.com

Disputed veterans benefits bill gets pulled before House vote

A widely debated veterans bill was pulled from a House vote Thursday amid controversy.

militarytimes.com

Draft defense bill would halt cuts, closures of military health facilities

House members are seeking to stop the closure or reductions of services at U.S. military hospitals and clinics.

militarytimes.com

uncsa.edu

‘Always push forward’: President Trump addresses Coast Guard Academy Class of 2026

President Trump spoke Wednesday in New London, Connecticut, to more than 230 commissioning officers.

militarytimes.com

Army leaders in hot seat over Poland deployment cancellation

Lawmakers questioned the timing and the reasons, lambasting the order that Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said sent a “terrible message to Russia and our allies.”

militarytimes.com

US Army abruptly cancels deployment of 4,000 soldiers to Poland

The Army has abruptly halted a planned deployment to Poland, bringing U.S. personnel numbers in Europe to pre-2022 levels — before Russia invaded Ukraine.

armytimes.com

Defense Department proposes splitting military health system budget

The Defense Department wants to split its funding for the military health system to protect military facilities and care.

militarytimes.com

Hegseth supports bill eliminating offsets for combat-disabled military retirees

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he supports the Richard Star Act to give medically retired veterans full compensation.

militarytimes.com

VA shuttering underperforming clinics, addressing leadership shortcomings at others

The VA is closing underperforming clinics and addressing issues at troubled facilities, VA Secretary Doug Collins says.

militarytimes.com

Utility shutoffs, mounting debt — Coast Guard endures hardships in ongoing shutdown

Coast Guard members and civilian employees are wondering whether they will get paid as the partial government shutdown continues.

militarytimes.com

Flu vaccine requirement discarded ‘effective immediately,’ Hegseth says

The flu vaccine has been required annually for U.S. military personnel since the 1950s .

militarytimes.com

After three-year hiatus, VA to resume rollout of new electronic medical records system

The department’s adoption of the Oracle Health’s FEHR was halted in 2023 following a year-long pause over safety and functionality concerns.

militarytimes.com

13 US troops killed, more than 380 wounded in Operation Epic Fury

In the 40 days since the start of the Iran War, 13 U.S. service members have been killed and 381 have been wounded, according to U.S. Central Command.

militarytimes.com

Senate rejects proposal to overturn VA’s abortion ban

Senators voted 50-48, quashing an effort to overturn the VA's near-total ban on abortions and abortion counseling.

militarytimes.com

House Republicans seek new strategy for passing VA policy bills

Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., wants to develop a “must-pass” authorization bill process for the VA similar to the legislative procedure used to approve the NDAA.

militarytimes.com

Lawmakers seek coverage for expedited fertility care under PACT Act

New legislation would speed coverage for fertility treatments without requiring veterans to prove their infertility was directly tied to military service.

militarytimes.com

Former VA secretary to head national hunger relief organization

Denis McDonough’s appointment will follow the retirement of Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, who has served as Feeding America’s CEO since 2018.

militarytimes.com

Noem out, Republican senator in as new Homeland Security secretary

President Donald Trump demoted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, naming Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin to fill the post.

militarytimes.com

Coast Guard selects Alabama as site of second recruit training center

The Coast Guard could start training new members at the site by the end of the year.

militarytimes.com

Six dead, 18 service members injured in Iran operation

The number of American personnel killed and injured in Operation Epic Fury rose on Monday.

militarytimes.com

Airlines are being squeezed into this sliver of sky to avoid closed airspace

Flightradar24 shows flights being funneled into narrow corridors north of Iran, or forced into longer detours over Saudi Arabia and other regions.

businessinsider.com

Rescission of Interim Final Rule, Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication

VA is rescinding the interim final rule, Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication, published on February 17, 2026, and restoring the prior regulatory text. This rescission is effective immediately upon...

federalregister.gov

VA to formally rescind controversial disability ratings rule

A policy requiring VA medical examiners to include effects of medication in assigning disability ratings is expected to be formally rescinded on Feb. 27.

militarytimes.com