Coast Guard commandant skirts accountability questions from lawmakers as reports of sexual assault in the service climb

The number of reported incidents of sexual assault increased from 225 in fiscal 2019 to 245 reports in fiscal 2020, according to a Coast Guard report sent to Congress on June 16.

Coast Guard chief to address accountability issues at House hearing

The commandant of the Coast Guard is set to testify Wednesday for the first time about how the service is addressing harassment, bullying and retaliation after a series of damning congressional and inspector general reports. 

National Guard readiness will suffer if funds for Capitol security are not restored, Army secretary says

Aviation and ground vehicle readiness at Guard units across the country will be affected if the money is not returned, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said during a budget hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s subpanel for defense.

Navy is struggling to retain surface warfare officers, according to watchdog report examining at-sea collisions

The Government Accountability Office’s report also found only 12% of female surface warfare officers stay in the job, compared with 39% of male SWOs. Overall, 33% of SWOs remain in the position compared with 45% of officers who are in similar Navy jobs.

‘Blood will be on his hands’: Biden must order evacuation of Afghan allies, lawmakers say

Two Army veterans who serve on the House Armed Services Committee delivered a stark message Wednesday to President Joe Biden: act now to evacuate thousands of Afghan interpreters and their families who worked with U.S. personnel or there will be consequences.

Senator demands Army accountability after report finds nearly 2,000 missing military weapons

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., on Tuesday called on Army leaders to investigate a “blood curdling” news report that found nearly 2,000 military firearms went missing during the 2010s and demanded greater accountability for lost or stolen weapons.

Lawmakers urge Pentagon to expedite name-change requests from transgender veterans as delays persist

Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., wrote in a letter Monday to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that veterans who transition after serving can be especially vulnerable to discrimination if the name on their DD-214 — a document that verifies a service member's proof of service — does not match their current legal name.

DOD intelligence officials ‘revamp’ efforts to combat Russian and Chinese influence campaigns

The Defense Department’s intelligence agencies are overhauling efforts to combat foreign influence and disinformation campaigns in response to a request from combatant commanders for help in fighting information attacks from Russia and China, a Pentagon official told House lawmakers Friday.

Democratic lawmakers slam Pentagon over its annual civilian casualty report

The Pentagon’s annual report to Congress on civilian casualties drew fierce backlash from two lawmakers who slammed the military’s decision not to award condolence payments last year to families of civilians harmed by U.S. military operations throughout the world.

House lawmakers from states hard hit by floods, hurricanes and wildfires call for larger National Guard forces

Dozens of House lawmakers from Florida, Texas and California want to increase the size of National Guard forces in their states as years of growing extreme weather events has put a strain on troops who are helping to respond.