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

Army Apache crews who fired ‘first shots of Desert Storm’ receive Distinguished Flying Crosses

Army Apache crews who fired ‘first shots of Desert Storm’ receive Distinguished Flying Crosses Army Apache crews who fired ‘first shots of Desert Storm’ receive Distinguished Flying Crosses

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on May 16, 2025

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Caserta died when he intentionally walked into a spinning helicopter propeller on June 25, 2018. Hi parents, Teri and Patrick, lobbied for The Brandon Act, which mandates that troops get mental healthcare and other assistance when they need it.

Parents of ‘Brandon Act’ sailor ask to meet with Hegseth about military suicides Parents of ‘Brandon Act’ sailor ask to meet with Hegseth about military suicides

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on May 15, 2025

A Dutch Shepherd dog, wearing a military camouflage vest and a red beret, walks on a leash.

The military’s only search and rescue dog has retired The military’s only search and rescue dog has retired

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 11, 2025

Judge David O. Carter inspects the West L.A. VA campus on Aug. 21, 2024, while overseeing a lawsuit against the VA brought by veterans. (Getty Photo via Los Angeles Times by Brian van der Brug)

Trump orders West Los Angeles VA campus to house thousands of veterans Trump orders West Los Angeles VA campus to house thousands of veterans

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on May 10, 2025

A sign for the Child Development Center is displayed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 13, 2024. Tyndall’s child and youth programs mission are to assist Department of Defense military and civilian personnel in balancing the competing demands of accomplishing the mission and family life by managing and delivering a system of quality, available and affordable programs and services for eligible children and youth. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Nordheim)

Military daycares must change how they inform parents about reports of abuse, watchdog says Military daycares must change how they inform parents about reports of abuse, watchdog says

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on May 7, 2025

US Secretary for Veterans Affairs (VA) Doug Collins testifies before a Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearings on "Veterans at the Forefront, Focusing on the future at VA," on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, May 6, 2025. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

VA secretary says 80,000 job cuts at agency are a ‘goal’ but not yet ‘targeted’ VA secretary says 80,000 job cuts at agency are a ‘goal’ but not yet ‘targeted’

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on May 6, 2025

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

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)

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

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

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