'What Is This?': Army Enlisted Leader's Long-Promised Blue Book Underwhelms Soldiers
A year ago, Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer, just two months into the role, promised soldiers a new app that would allow them to carry a rundown of service regulations and policies in their pockets. The so-called Army-wide “Blue Book” was a centerpiece of Weimer’s plans for his first year in the leadership […]
Army Says Soldiers Are Getting New Fitness Uniforms, But Details Are Scant
It’s a mistress the Army can’t keep itself from continually returning to: uniform changes. Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer, the service’s top enlisted leader, on Tuesday announced new physical training uniforms will be issued to troops in roughly a year. But the announcement at the Association of the United States Army, or AUSA, […]
After Barely Meeting Recruiting Goal, Army Aims to Enlist Thousands More Soldiers in Coming Year
In a bold move underscoring its need to fill the ranks, the Army has announced a target of 61,000 active-duty enlistments for fiscal 2025, which started on Oct. 1. The ambitious goal comes on the heels of a year in which the service barely met its recruitment objective. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth unveiled the new […]
Army Says Soldiers Should Avoid Poppy Seeds in Updated Regulation over Drug-Testing Concerns
A new Army regulation is advising soldiers to avoid eating foods with poppy seeds over concerns that troops could inadvertently fail a drug screening. While poppy seeds are often an ingredient in baked goods and pastries, they also — depending on how they are harvested and processed — can contain opium alkaloids such as morphine […]
1,000 Active-Duty Soldiers Called Up to Assist with Hurricane Helene Response
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday mobilized 1,000 active-duty soldiers to assist in recovery and relief efforts in communities hit by Hurricane Helene — one of the most devastating storms in recent history. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s top spokesman, said in a statement that the troops were requested by the Federal Emergency Management […]
Army Surpasses its Goal for Recruiting Active-Duty Soldiers, But Just Barely
The Army says it has hit recruiting goals for this year following a military wide slump, a sign the service may be overcoming the struggle to build up its ranks as it seeks a commanding presence in the Pacific to counter China. Service officials announced Thursday that the Army enlisted 55,300 new active-duty soldiers, marginally […]
Army Delays Bonus Pay for Deployed Soldiers
Days before deployed soldiers were due to begin getting a much anticipated monthly pay bonus, the Army has delayed the payments with no timeline as to when they will debut. The pay bump was due to begin next Tuesday, but Army officials said that all the details of the bonus had never been sorted, inevitably […]
US Moves Soldiers to Alaska Island Amid Russian Military Activity Increase in the Area
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The U.S. military has moved about 130 soldiers along with mobile rocket launchers to a desolate island in the Aleutian chain of western Alaska amid a recent increase in Russian military planes and vessels approaching American territory. Eight Russian military planes and four navy vessels, including two submarines, have come close to […]
Soldiers Set to Get New Deployment Bonus as High Operations Tempos Strain the Army
Soldiers will receive an extra monthly bonus — ranging from $210 to $450 per month, depending on rank — for time away from home exceeding 30 days starting in October, according to a draft Army memo reviewed by Military.com. The new benefit includes Army Guardsmen and reservists. The move would put additional money in overworked […]
Two Colombians Get 35 and 30 Years After Pleading Guilty to Plot to Murder US Soldiers
Two Colombians on Thursday were sentenced in Miami federal court to 35 and 30 years in prison for conspiring to murder U.S. soldiers in a car-bombing attack at a military base near the Colombia- Venezuela border. Three U.S. Army members were injured in the 2021 assault. Andres Fernando Medina Rodriguez, a former Colombian military officer […]