Hundreds of National Guard members, from Wyoming and Nevada as well as California, have been deployed to the Los Angeles area to aid in managing the wildfire threat. Troops are engaged in fighting the fires from the air and manning patrols focused on evacuation and preventing looting.
Outgoing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has recommended increasing defense spending by $50 billion more than projected for 2026. Austin's proposal, outlined in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget, emphasizes the need for real growth and sustained investments.
President-elect Donald Trump's transition team has held 100-plus meetings so far with the Pentagon with coverage of key areas such as procurement and technology. "The department is committed to conducting a smooth and professional transition with the incoming administration," says Pentagon spokesperson Sue Gough.
US investment in national defense has remained largely constant since the 1950s, on an inflation-adjusted basis, with fluctuations during major conflicts such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War, according to an American Enterprise Institute analysis. The main driver of increases in overall defense spending has been population growth, despite significant economic growth over the same period.
The US military will receive about $30 billion for cybersecurity in fiscal 2025 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Key initiatives include replacing Chinese telecom equipment, protecting mobile devices from foreign spyware and establishing a generative AI security center.
Senior Master Sgt. Amber Armstrong of the 514th Air Mobility Wing has been named Air Force Reserve Command's Financial Management Senior NCO of the Year for fiscal 2024. Armstrong, a 19-year Air Force veteran, was recognized for her leadership in developing the Air Force Integrated Personnel and Pay System, identifying discrepancies and securing $9.2 million in future refunds for deployed airmen.
Senior Airman Hector Jimenez, a crew chief with the 512th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, has realized his dream of joining the military by overcoming a language barrier and joining the Air Force Reserve at age 39. "I got into the military later in the game, but I don't regret it," Jimenez says. "I enjoy putting in the work and getting the job done."
The US Army is offering a range of resources to support the well-being of Servicemembers, their families and Army civilians. The Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) system aims to enhance readiness and resilience through interdisciplinary training involving medical, dietary and religious support. Additionally, Military OneSource and Armed Forces Wellness Centers provide comprehensive assistance, including fitness testing and health education, to promote overall health and performance.
The TriWest Healthcare Alliance mistakenly sent letters informing military reservists in 26 states that they were enrolled in the Tricare Retired Reserve program and owed monthly premium payments ranging from $631 to $1,513 instead of the lower amounts for the Tricare Reserve program. TriWest sent corrections via email and will mail letters with the correct information and extended the deadline for Tricare Prime and Select enrollees to update their information.
The Biden administration has expanded benefits for Veterans with cancer linked to exposure to toxic burn pits, as part of the PACT Act. This move lowers the burden of proof for Veterans from the Gulf War and post-9/11 deployments to receive disability benefits and full coverage for related cancer treatments. The expansion, budgeted at $4.5 billion over the next decade, is expected to benefit tens of thousands of Veterans.
