Military Life

The ins-and-outs of life in the military, from enlisting, to staying in shape and deploying, to pay, benefits, housing, and everything between.

Latest in Military Life

Two men in combat gear, each holding rifles, hug each other as the cross a finish line.

News

75th Ranger Regiment wins 2025 Best Ranger Competition 75th Ranger Regiment wins 2025 Best Ranger Competition

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 14, 2025

A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to the 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, scans the horizon during a simulated assault as part of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Exportable (JPMRC-X) exercise at Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, June 9, 2024. This iteration of JPMRC-X marks the first deployment to the Philippines, which will enable and assist the Philippine Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in building combat training center locations within the Philippines. The JPMRC-X is a Department of the Army initiative consisting of a deployable package of personnel and equipment designed to support training exercises across the Pacific. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Carleeann Smiddy)

What does the trade war mean for troops’ military retirement savings? What does the trade war mean for troops’ military retirement savings?

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Apr 10, 2025

Water tower near the former Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA on February 6, 2019. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to release updates on tests of per- and polyfuoroalkyl substances or PFAs pollution in public water supplies for 16 million Americans in 33 states, including Pennsylvania. The federal report is delayed due to January 2019 shutdown. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Republican of Bucks County in Eastern Pennsylvania and Democrat Dan Kildee, of Michigan cochair a bipartisan task force in the House of Representatives, formed to take on the growingPFAS ContaminationCrisis. The usage of foam at nearby former military bases is linked to tainted drinking water, affecting tens of thousands of residents in Bucks and Montgomery Counties in Eastern Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

News

These vets say the PACT Act left them behind These vets say the PACT Act left them behind

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Apr 9, 2025

A new bipartisan bill would establish centers across the U.S. to treat and study veterans with innovative therapies like psychedelics.

New bill could create VA centers to treat vets with psychedelic therapies New bill could create VA centers to treat vets with psychedelic therapies

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Apr 3, 2025

The Talarico family has joined a lawsuit against private military housing contractor Balfour Beatty over moldy and neglected housing at Key West Naval Air Station, Florida.

Mold in privatized housing cost this Navy family their health and reenlistment bonus Mold in privatized housing cost this Navy family their health and reenlistment bonus

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Apr 1, 2025

Screenshot from the Army National Guard commercial "Uncommon is Calling."

National Guard appeals to anti-corporate Gen Z in new commercial National Guard appeals to anti-corporate Gen Z in new commercial

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Mar 21, 2025

Soldier waves an American flag

News

Thousands of veterans could lose their jobs in massive Pentagon layoffs Thousands of veterans could lose their jobs in massive Pentagon layoffs

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Mar 18, 2025

Future U.S. Marines recite the oath of enlistment before shipping off to begin basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego at Military Entrance Processing Station Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 24, 2022. MEPS processes applicants for military service, putting them through a variety of tests and examinations to ensure that they meet the standards required to serve in the United States Armed Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lydia Gordon)

Military recruiting test sites re-open after DOGE-driven cuts Military recruiting test sites re-open after DOGE-driven cuts

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Mar 17, 2025

Marine shaving policy

News

Marine commanding officers have final say on medical shaving exemptions Marine commanding officers have final say on medical shaving exemptions

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Mar 17, 2025

A new pilot program offers Marine Corps and navy moms on active duty or spouses access to registered nurses for help with unique physical and mental health conditions that moms face throughout pregnancy and after giving birth.

New program helps Navy, Marine Corps moms with pregnancy and infant care New program helps Navy, Marine Corps moms with pregnancy and infant care

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Mar 13, 2025

Students in the academic track of the U.S. Army’s Future Soldier Preparatory Course work on improving their math skills during a class at Fort Moore, Georgia. The academic track focuses on improving word knowledge, reading comprehension, arithmetic reasoning, and test-taking skills to help students improve their Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) scores and meet the Army’s enlistment standards. (U.S. Army photo by Toygar Ayla)

Budget cuts force military recruit testing stations to close, reduce hours Budget cuts force military recruit testing stations to close, reduce hours

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Mar 11, 2025

HINES, IL - MAY 30: A sign marks the entrance to the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital on May 30, 2014 in Hines, Illinois. Hines, which is located in suburban Chicago, has been linked to allegations that administrators kept secret waiting lists at Veterans Administration hospitals so hospital executives could collect bonuses linked to meeting standards for rapid treatment. Today, as the scandal continued to grow, Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki apologized in public and then resigned from his post. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Veteran entrepreneurs say VA cuts have gutted their businesses Veteran entrepreneurs say VA cuts have gutted their businesses

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Mar 5, 2025

Disabled Army veteran fired from the VA will attend Trump speech to Congress

Disabled Army veteran fired from the VA will attend Trump speech to Congress Disabled Army veteran fired from the VA will attend Trump speech to Congress

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Mar 4, 2025

An airman at a podium speaks in the background, a crowd of seated airman watching.

Transgender troops say Pentagon is causing chaos with sudden policy reversal Transgender troops say Pentagon is causing chaos with sudden policy reversal

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Mar 3, 2025

Kyle Lewis speaks during a VoteVets digital town hall.

A Navy vet was given ‘weeks to live’ in 2020. Now his cancer treatment is at risk. A Navy vet was given ‘weeks to live’ in 2020. Now his cancer treatment is at risk.

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Mar 3, 2025

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and U.S. Army Fort Campbell re-enlists 124 soldiers to continue to serve our country. Stay tuned for more event coverage this week! (Photos by SPC Harris, 101st Division Public Affairs Office)

News

Veterans fired in federal layoffs say they were ‘stabbed in the back’ Veterans fired in federal layoffs say they were ‘stabbed in the back’

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Feb 28, 2025