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  • Army Acquisition Officer Works With Google

    Army Maj. Matthew Bisswurm, an acquistion officer with the 903rd Contingency Contracting Battalion in Kaiserslautern, Germany, is the first in his branch selected to work with Google Inc. as part of the Army's Training with Industry Program.

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Family Matters

Lead Photos

Photo: PERU ARRIVAL

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta walks with Peruvian Minister of Defense Pedro Cateriano Bellido, right, Peruvian Navy Adm. Jose E. Cueto Aservi, left, and U.S. Ambassador Rose Likins, far right, upon Panetta's arrival in Lima, Peru, Oct. 5, 2012. Panetta is visiting counterparts in South America on a four-day trip to the region. DOD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo

News

Top News

Secretary Hails New Era for Security in the Americas

A transformation has taken place over the past decade in the Western Hemisphere, where countries are doing more than they ever have to advance peace and security within and beyond their borders, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said aboard a military aircraft en route to Peru. Story | Special

Panetta Reminds Defense Department Members to Vote

In a video message, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta urges the men and women of the Defense Department and their families to vote in the upcoming election. Story | Video | Special

Officials Confirm Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay Deadline

Pentagon officials have confirmed the Oct. 21 deadline to apply for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay has not been extended by the recently enacted Continuing Resolution. Story | Special

DOD Clarifies Civilian Overseas Assignment Policy

The Defense Department wants to clarify a personnel policy -- generally known as the “five-year rule” -- that establishes time limits for civilian overseas assignments, an official said. Story

Press Secretary Calls Syria’s Actions ‘Wrong, Deplorable’

The United States supports Turkey's response to a Syrian cross-border mortar attack that killed five Turkish civilians yesterday, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said while also emphasizing that it is time for Bashar Assad and his regime to step down. Story | Transcript

U.S. Military Supports FBI Mission to Benghazi, Libya

The U.S. military provided logistics and security support to an FBI team investigating the attack in Benghazi, Libya, that killed U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said. Story | Transcript

Pentagon Dedicated to Bergdahl’s Return, Spokesman Says

The safe return of Army Sgt. Bowe R. Bergdahl, the only U.S. service member known to be in Taliban captivity, remains a top Defense Department priority, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said. Story | Transcript

U.S. Should Lead Cybersecurity Efforts, NSA Director Says

Army Gen. Keith Alexander, National Security Agency director and commander of U.S. Cyber Command, discussed the costs and consequences of cybersecurity issues on commerce during his keynote address at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Cybersecurity Summit. Story | Special

Dempsey Thanks Service Members in Pacific Northwest

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff thanked service members and their families in the Pacific Northwest during a town hall meeting on Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Wash. Story

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Military

TRICARE Advises Patients About German Ban on Meds

TRICARE officials are working with beneficiaries located in Germany as they prepare for changes to their mail-order pharmacy service to accomodate a German law that prohibits importing medications into the country. Story

Walter Reed Joins National Kidney Exchange Pool

Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., is the first military hospital to join and participate in a national network of civilian centers for a kidney transplant exchange, said Army Col. (Dr.) Edward Falta, chief of the center’s Army-Navy Transplant Program. Story

Time Remains for Absentee Voting, Official Says

Absentee Voting Week is a reminder that it’s still possible for eligible U.S. voters overseas to register and to vote, said Pamela S. Mitchell, the acting director of the defense department’s Federal Voting Assistance Program. Story | Special

DOD Identifies Missing WWII Marines

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced that the remains of seven servicemen, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and are being buried with full military honors. Story

Defense Department Identifies Missing WWII Airman

The Defense Department POW/Missing Personnel Office announced that the remains of a serviceman, missing in action from World War II, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. Story

More Airports Offer Streamlined Security Screening

Active duty service members and other eligible travelers now have more opportunity to take advantage of streamlined security check-in, as Transportation Security Administration officials have added two more airports to the program. Story

Surveys Ensure Better-fitting Gear for Troops

When it comes to combat clothing and gear, the folks at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center realize that appropriate fit is more than simply a matter of a tailored military appearance. Story | Special

Readiness Council Prioritizes Troop, Family Support

The Defense Department’s Military Family Readiness Council recently stated that its priority for the upcoming budget year will be protecting troop and family support programs, followed by increasing support to service members transitioning out of the military. Story

New Transition Assistance Program Set to Launch

Parts of a new transition assistance program were tested this summer and the revamped TAP will be ready to support departing service members in November, officials told lawmakers. Story

VA, DOD to Fund $100 Million PTSD and TBI Study

The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense announced they are investing more than $100 million in research to improve diagnosis and treatment of mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Story | Special

VA Approves $28 Million in Grants for Homeless Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced it has approved $28.4 million in grants to fund 38 projects in 25 states and the District of Columbia that will provide transitional housing to homeless veterans. Story

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Afghanistan

Afghan, Coalition Forces Kill Would-be Suicide Bombers

Afghan and coalition forces killed several would-be suicide bombers, detained additional insurgents and seized multiple weapons during a security operation in Wardak province. Story

Six-day Combined Operation Concludes in Afghanistan

Dozens of Afghan soldiers and police, supported by coalition special operations forces, concluded a six-day operation against insurgent networks in the Chak district of Wardak province. Story

Security Force Kills Taliban IED Cell Leader

An Afghan and coalition security force killed the leader of a Taliban improvised explosive device cell in the Alisheng district of Laghman province. The leader was linked to multiple attacks against Afghan and coalition forces using IEDs, rocket-propelled grenades, rockets and mortars. Story

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader

An Afghan-led, coalition-supported force arrested a Taliban leader in the Maiwand district of Kandahar province. The security force also detained multiple suspected insurgents and seized an IED firing device and IED-making materials, officials said. Story

Attack May Have Included Insurgent Fire, Officials Say

A Sept. 29 exchange of gunfire in Wardak province that left an International Security Assistance Force service member and an ISAF-contracted civilian employee dead may have involved insurgent fire, ISAF officials reported. Story

Security Force Kills Multiple Insurgents

An Afghan and coalition security force killed multiple armed insurgents in the Gelan district of Ghazni province during an operation to arrest a senior Haqqani facilitator believed to be directly involved in several attacks that claimed civilian casualties. Story

Combined Force Detains Insurgents, Seizes Narcotics

A combined security force detained several suspected insurgents and seized multiple assault rifles along with several pounds of illegal narcotics during an operation to arrest a Taliban facilitator in the Washer district of Helmand province. Story

Coalition, Afghan Troops Arrest 2 Taliban Leaders

A combined coalition and Afghan security force arrested two Taliban leaders -- an attack commander and an improvised explosive device expert -- during an operation in the Ghazni district of Afghanistan’s Ghazni province. Story

Combined Force Kills Taliban Weapons Dealer

An Afghan and coalition security force killed a Taliban weapons dealer and destroyed his cache of illegal weapons during an operation in the Omnah district of Afghanistan’s Paktika province. The leader was responsible for distributing firearms, ammunition and explosives to insurgents under his command. Story

Combined Force Kills 2 Insurgents, Seizes Heroin

An Afghan and coalition security force killed two insurgents and seized several pounds of heroin during an operation in search of a Taliban leader in the Zharay district of Kandahar province. Officials said no civilians were harmed during the operation. Story

Forces Arrest Taliban, Haqqani Leaders in Afghanistan

Afghan and coalition security forces arrested a Taliban leader, as well as a Haqqani chief, during a security operation in the Sayyid Karam district of Afghanistan's Pakitya province. The leader is a suspected improvised explosive device expert. Story

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About the Secretary

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta addresses sailors stationed aboard the USS Blue Ridge on Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, Oct. 26, 2011. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey

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Special ReportsMore »

The Pentagon ChannelMore »

  • Video Thumbnail: SECDEF Voting Message

    SECDEF Voting Message

    Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta urges service members...

  • Video Thumbnail: Navy destroyer named for Medal of Honor recepient

    Navy destroyer named for Medal of Honor recepient

    The Navy will commission the newest guided missile...

  • Video Thumbnail: TPC News: DoD Providing Logistics, Support to Attack Probe

    TPC News: DoD Providing Logistics, Support to Attack Probe

    Pentagon Press Secretary George Little says the Defense...

  • Video Thumbnail: TPC News: Panetta to Meet with Leaders of South America, Europe

    TPC News: Panetta to Meet with Leaders of South America, Europe

    Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta will spend a week...