Active Duty

Stories about active duty military service.

Latest in Active Duty

Soldiers of the 49th Missile Defense Battalion defend the United States and other designated areas from intercontinental ballistic missile attack and provide critical site security of the missile defense complex at Fort Greely, Alaska. (U.S. Army photo)
Active Duty

Missile defense base dealing with ‘critical’ disruptions at its dining facility

By Nicholas Slayton

Updated on Jan 11, 2026

An Air Force uniform with the job tab "CYBER."
Active Duty

Air Force brings back job patches, which were banned for some reason

By Matt White

Posted on Jan 9, 2026

Image: Navy Counselor 1st Class Andrew Shipman from Beaufort, North Carolina, facilitates a mock physical fitness assessment aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) while underway in the Pacific Ocean, June 26, 2025. Fitzgerald, assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Cyrus Roson) 
Fitness

Navy rolls out twice-a-year fitness tests

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Dec 30, 2025

Julie Eshelman, her husband Andrew who is in the active duty Reserve, with their 4-year-old daughter who was conceived by IVF.
Family

Military families are ‘pissed’ after IVF coverage cut from defense bill

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Dec 19, 2025

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Christian F. Wortman, commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, left, and Lance Cpl. Elijah Merino, a grenadier with 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, repair a wall locker during Operation Clean Sweep III at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 16, 2025. OCS III, part of the ongoing Barracks 360 Reset initiative, demonstrates a collective commitment to improving living conditions through shared ownership, sustained accountability, and tangible improvements to the barracks. Wortman is a native of Pennsylvania and Merino is a native of California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Bryant Rodriguez)
Housing

Pentagon pledges $400 million for ‘immediate’ barracks renovation

By Patty Nieberg, Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Dec 1, 2025

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Hector Orenga, 305th Air Mobility Wing crew chief, conducts engine inspections on a C-17 Globemaster III at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Jan. 24, 2024. The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in deployed areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sergio Avalos)
Active Duty

Troops, families and military civilians: How is the shutdown affecting you?

By Drew F. Lawrence

Posted on Oct 28, 2025

Among trounior enlisted service members with families are among those l231119-N-ML137-1033 NAVAL BASE GUAM, Guam (Nov. 19, 2023) Hull Technician 3rd Class Steven Tamse, right, and other Sailors assigned to the submarine-tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), fill store shelves at Orote Point Commissary following a shipment of groceries, Nov. 19, 2023. The shipment is one of several high-priority grocery flights that will resupply Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) shelves at Andersen Air Force Base (AAFB) and U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) before Thanksgiving. Following the discovery of an isolated insect incident at base commissaries in Guam, Joint Region Marianas engaged DeCA leadership for immediate response. The shipments of groceries will provide much needed products to military service members and their families. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)
Active Duty

As federal food assistance runs out, junior troops with families may be hit hard

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Oct 27, 2025

The US Capitol is seen as members of the National Guard patrol the National Mall in Washington, DC on September 8, 2025. Trump announced on August 25 new measures tightening his grip on security in Washington, ordering Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to set up a specialized unit within Washington's National Guard for public order, and ending cashless bail. Democrats have repeatedly accused Trump of pushing presidential power way past its constitutional limits, most recently by deploying troops in the US capital. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP)
Active Duty

Senate fails to pass bill that would have paid troops during shutdown

By Drew F. Lawrence

Posted on Oct 23, 2025

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to U.S. Army Pacific complete the Incline Skills Trainer during the USARPAC Best Squad Competition, July 18, 2025, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The week-long competition will assess each squad on their technical and tactical proficiency, as well as their ability to work as a disciplined and cohesive team. The competition features a multitude of different fitness and combat related events ranging from the Army Combat Fitness Test and various weapons lanes, to a strenuous 12-mile foot march and detailed individual warrior tasks and squad battle drills. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alvin Conley)
Housing

For barracks overhaul, Hegseth steers towards private contractors

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Oct 9, 2025

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jason Myers, an operations chief with 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, replaces a towel rack during Operation Clean Sweep III at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Sept. 26, 2025. Operation Clean Sweep III, part of the ongoing Barracks 360 Reset Initiative, demonstrates a collective commitment to improving living conditions through shared ownership, sustained accountability, and tangible improvements to the barracks. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Manuel Rivera)
Housing

Hegseth directs new task force to come up with ‘barracks investment plan’

By Drew F. Lawrence

Posted on Oct 7, 2025

Close-up on a man gambling online using a mobile app on his cell phone while drinking beer at the pub
Active Duty

The military needs to better tackle gambling issues among troops, watchdog says

By Drew F. Lawrence

Posted on Sep 29, 2025

Pentagon Shaving Policy
Active Duty

Troops with medical shaving exemptions face separation

By Jeff Schogol, Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Sep 15, 2025

Families move into a private military housing home.
Housing

Military family housing understaffed, lacks proper oversight, IG report finds

By Matt White, Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Sep 14, 2025

U.S. Marines Lance Cpl. Kaitlyn M. Erkson, an intelligence analyst with the Aviation Combat Element, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command, and Sgt. Sean S. Saball, a data noncommissioned officer with the Command Element, SPMAGTF-SC, mix paint during a visit to Casa Misericordia orphanage for girls with disabilities in Comayagua, Honduras, Oct. 28, 2017. Service members with SPMAGTF-SC volunteered their time playing with the children, handing out toys and school supplies, and painting the orphanage. The Marines and sailors of SPMAGTF-SC have donated over 7,000 hours of community service to local communities throughout Central America during their six-month deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ian Leones)
Housing

VA may have sent 35,000 veterans ‘erroneous’ warnings about home foreclosure

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Sep 5, 2025

USACE Fort Meade Bay Area Office Project Engineers Marcus Bryant, Melvin Damoudt, and Captain Anthony Adams inspect construction progress at the Freedom Center barracks project, designed to support present and future warfighters. The $38 million development features two multi-story buildings with 190 personnel capacity, offering modern accommodations including living/sleeping rooms with semi-private baths, walk-in closets, and kitchen/living areas. The complex incorporates advanced security through intrusion detection systems and energy monitoring capabilities, reinforcing the Army and NSA's commitment to providing high-quality housing for service members. Scheduled for completion in October 2025, this project represents a significant investment in military readiness and quality of life.
Housing

Frustrations over mold, pests and security concerns front and center in Army barracks survey

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Aug 12, 2025

Exposed, damaged pipes at the Palau Hall barracks at Andersen Air force Base
Housing

Damaged, moldy barracks in Guam are getting a $297 million makeover

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Jul 15, 2025