Rose Thayer

Rose L. Thayer is based in Austin, Texas, and she has been covering the western region of the continental U.S. for Stars and Stripes since 2018. Before that she was a reporter for Killeen Daily Herald and a freelance journalist for publications including The Alcalde, Texas Highways and the Austin American-Statesman. She is the spouse of an Army veteran and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in journalism. Her awards include a 2021 Society of Professional Journalists Washington Dateline Award and an Honorable Mention from the Military Reporters and Editors Association for her coverage of crime at Fort Hood.

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thayer.rose@stripes.com

Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, left, and Gen. Randy George are seated at a table. Driscoll looks at George as the general talks, making a gesture with his right hand.

Army moves forward with October merger of Futures Command and TRADOC

“Although the new command will have its four-star headquarters in Austin, this will not involve relocating all TRADOC personnel or operations,” said TRADOC spokesman Maj. Chris Robinson.

In this image taken from video, flash flooding is seen behind a house in Ruidoso, N.M., Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Kaitlyn Carpenter via AP)

‘Our hearts are heavy with grief’: Fort Bliss soldier’s children die in New Mexico flash flood

Soldiers in western-style blue cavalry uniforms ride horses at full gallop.

Riding off into the sunset: Army ending 5 ceremonial horse units

National Guard joins rescue efforts in Texas after devastating floods

A line of Marines in camouflage combat gear walk toward the back of an aircraft on a runway and up a ramp to board.

700 additional troops approved to support ICE operations, 200 Marines deploying to Florida in first wave

The Marine Corps is deploying 200 troops from North Carolina to support federal immigration agents in Florida, while another 500 troops are slated to move to locations in Texas and Louisiana.

Family of WWI veteran who fought in Meuse-Argonne offensive honored with Purple Heart

More than 100 years after being wounded in World War I’s largest battle, Pvt. Alonzo Stanton has finally been recognized with a Purple Heart. Roughly 200 members of his extended family gathered to mark the event.

Two soldiers in camouflage combat gear and helmets stand in front of an armored vehicle parked by a section of border wall in desert terrain.

Fourth military zone established in Arizona under the Marine Corps

The military has established a fourth defense zone along the U.S. border with Mexico — designating a strip of land in Arizona where anyone crossing the border is subject to charges of trespassing on military property as well as border crossing violations.

Sgt. 1st Class Andres Agag, a mortar team leader with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment, California Army National Guard, pushes against the shields of other unit members while playing the role of an aggressive demonstrator during training at Joint Forces Training Base, California, on riot and crowd control techniques, June 22, 2025. U.S. Northern Command is supporting federal agencies by providing military forces to protect federal functions, personnel, and property in the greater Los Angeles area. On June 7, the Secretary of Defense directed USNORTHCOM to establish Task Force 51 to oversee Title 10 forces supporting this mission. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy)

150 National Guard troops moved from LA immigration mission to help battle wildfires

The troops were among more than 4,000 Guard members and 700 active-duty Marines sent to the city by President Donald Trump as immigration-related protests in early June swelled near a federal building in the downtown area.

Army ROTC cadets from Penn State University compete in the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition, West Point, N.Y., May 2, 2025. Forty-eight teams participated in Sandhurst, including U.S. service academies, Army ROTC programs, and international teams. | U.S. Army photo by Sarah Windmueller

Army to cut 10 college ROTC programs, reorganize dozens more

Nearly 300 college students in the Army’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps will see their units affected by a downsizing triggered from cuts to the civilian workforce behind the program.

Troops in camouflage uniforms and hats salute while standing in formation next to a large U.S. flag.

Space Force requests nearly $40 billion budget for fiscal 2026, with drop in research spending

The Space Force released the largest funding request in its six-year history, asking Congress to approve $39.9 billion to spend next year as the service takes on new mission requirements including a massive “Golden Dome” missile defense shield.

Reports of troubled troops at Fort Carson drop by 50% with program that includes entrance survey for new soldiers

Leaders of the 4th Infantry Division implemented an in-house data tracking program to catch problems that soldiers were facing before they swelled beyond control. They quickly saw results.

Army adds preliminary hearing schedules to court docket, speeds release of court-martial results

The Army has begun to post publicly the schedule of preliminary court hearings used to determine whether there is enough evidence against a soldier charged with a crime to warrant a court-martial.

Nearly half of Texas Guard troops could be activated by this weekend

The Texas National Guard has more than 4,000 deployed to a mission at the U.S. border with Mexico, and another 5,000 have been called up to quell protests planned across the state.

Texas governor orders Guard to prepare for weekend protests, 500 troops in LA trained to help ICE

Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the Texas National Guard to prepare to manage any “lawlessness” that could arise Saturday during protests planned in cities throughout the state.

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