Military

167 Stories

National

She's currently the only Black woman leading a state military. Here's how it happened

Brig. Gen. Janeen Birckhead of Maryland only became a soldier to help pay for college. Three decades later, she's risen to the top military position in Maryland, leading a force of 4,600 soldiers.
Ajani Daniel

Jonathan Franklin
Politics

With hold on confirmations, Pentagon says fate of hundreds of officers in limbo

Hundreds of nominees for military positions have been stalled as Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., protests Pentagon abortion policy. The Pentagon says the total number could swell to 650.
Tom Bowman
Politics

These military spouses are fighting one senator's hold on military promotions

Sen. Tommy Tuberville's disagreement with a Pentagon policy on abortion is upheaving life plans for hundreds of military families. Now those families are petitioning Senate leaders to intervene.
Manuela López Restrepo
Politics

One senator's abortion protest leaves the Marine Corps without a permanent leader

The Marine Corps' highest-ranking officer position fell vacant on Monday thanks to a move from Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., who continues to block nominations to protest a Pentagon abortion policy.
Emily Olson
Drone skills 101: Special forces train for Ukraine in Methow Valley

It’s been more than a year since Russia invaded Ukraine. Thousands of fighters and civilians have died. With no clear end in sight, Ukrainian forces are taking all the help they can get – including from surveillance drone pilots, trained in Washington’s Methow Valley.
Courtney Flatt
World

Pakistan names a new military chief amid bitter political feuding

Lt. Gen. Syed Asim Munir replaces Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, who retires on Nov. 29. Munir begins his new role amid bitter feuding between Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and former premier Imran Khan.
The Associated Press
Health

The PACT Act and you: what veterans need to know

Executive director Pritz Navaratnasingam of the Seattle Regional Office of the Veterans Benefits Administration joins Soundside to talk about the PACT Act, and how veterans can check their eligibility for new benefits and get the care they need.
Libby Denkmann

Jason Burrows
Environment

Military providing water to Yakima Valley homes after tests show it contaminated area's wells

Over the years, the chemicals leached into drinking water near military bases around the United States, including on Whidbey Island and in the Yakima Valley.
Eilís O'Neill
National

The Marines are set to have the first Black 4-star general in their 246-year history

Lt. Gen. Michael Langley's nomination hearing to be general and commander of the United States Africa Command for the U.S. Marine Corps is set for Thursday.
Jaclyn Diaz
National

A three-star general was suspended by the Army after appearing to mock Jill Biden

Retired Lt. Gen. Gary Volesky was suspended from his contracting role with the Army and is under investigation after replying to a tweet from first lady Jill Biden on abortion rights.
Shauneen Miranda

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