New defense budget includes unexpectedly large pay raise for troops

New defense budget includes unexpectedly large pay raise for troops

Starting from January 2020, military personnel are set to receive a 3.1% pay raise, according to President Donald Trump’s fiscal year 2020 defense budget. If the proposal goes through Congress, it would mark the largest increase in pay in a decade. The last largest increase was 3.4% in 2009. Depending on rank and years of […]

“It’s not our fault”: Pentagon releases preliminary report on special operations’ ethics, professionalism

“It’s not our fault”: Pentagon releases preliminary report on special operations’ ethics, professionalism

After a lengthy investigation, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) concluded its review on America’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) ethics and professionalism. The results are rather ambivalent. The Pentagon didn’t find any systemic or structural reasons for the numerous high-profile incidents that negatively rocked the spec ops community over the past few months. Nonetheless, the […]

Special Operations Hall of Honor inducts 20 new members

Special Operations Hall of Honor inducts 20 new members

In January 2019, the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) inducted 20 special operators and Medal of Honor recipients into its prestigious Commando Hall of Honor. The honorees represent military personnel from all branches except the U.S. Coast Guard. The actions that led to their induction span across decades of American small and large military engagements. […]

Air Force plans to order fewer F-35s in 2020, is the F-15X to blame?

Air Force plans to order fewer F-35s in 2020, is the F-15X to blame?

Ever since news first broke that the Air Force was being pressured by Pentagon officials to procure new F-15 airframes in 2020, pundits, lawmakers and defense officials alike have protested in the name of America’s most advanced fighter platform, the F-35. Now, with the Air Force’s F-35 order looking like it will be short of […]

Air Force plans to order fewer F-35s in 2020, is the F-15X to blame?

Air Force plans to order fewer F-35s in 2020, is the F-15X to blame?

Ever since news first broke that the Air Force was being pressured by Pentagon officials to procure new F-15 airframes in 2020, pundits, lawmakers and defense officials alike have protested in the name of America’s most advanced fighter platform, the F-35. Now, with the Air Force’s F-35 order looking like it will be short of […]

Report: More money is key to retaining Special Operations warriors

Report: More money is key to retaining Special Operations warriors

Special Operations Forces (SOF) are known for their physically and mentally tough selection and assessment processes. However, for those few who can make the cut and enter into the vaunted ranks of a special operations unit, the benefits are significant. Special operators get to train and play with the most advanced military toys available. They […]

The legal controversy behind the SEAL Team 6 bin Laden raid

The legal controversy behind the SEAL Team 6 bin Laden raid

In the early hours of May 2, 2011, two specially-designed stealth Black Hawk helicopters full of Navy SEALs from SEAL Team 6 infiltrated Abbottabad, Pakistan. Their mission was to kill or capture the world’s most wanted man: Osama bin Laden. Shortly after they landed, the leader of al-Qaida and mastermind behind the terrorist attacks of […]

Real cost of Afghanistan and Iraq wars may be $6 trillion

Real cost of Afghanistan and Iraq wars may be $6 trillion

It’s common knowledge the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have cost the American taxpayer an exorbitant amount of money. The U.S. government’s lack of transparency to determine the true expense fuels wild speculations. So far, estimates vary between $1 and $2 trillion. Since there are so many different agencies and departments involved makes it even […]