United States Department of Defense

Fiscal Cliff Legislation Affects Military, Civilian Paychecks

The legislation that President Barack Obama signed Jan. 2 that postponed the fiscal cliff means changes to military and civilian paychecks, Defense Finance and Accounting Service officials said. Story

DOD, Duke University Partner in Research Projects

The Defense Department sponsors Duke University researchers to conduct projects in mathematics, engineering and biology that advance military capabilities and strengthen national security. Story

Obama Signs $633 Billion Defense Authorization Act

President Barack Obama has signed the $633 billion fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act into law. Story | Statement

Uniform Wear Policies Vary Among Military Services

All nondeployed Marines and sailors assigned to Marine units are required to wear the appropriate seasonal service uniform. Story

Panetta Thanks Congress, Seeks End to Sequestration

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta expressed his gratitude to U.S. lawmakers for delaying sequestration and voiced optimism for finding a permanent way to avoid an additional $500 billion in budget cuts. Story | Statement

Legislators Avoid Fiscal Cliff, Delay Sequester Process

Congress has avoided the fiscal cliff, but Pentagon Press Secretary George Little called on the body to continue efforts to permanently eliminate the threat of sequestration. Story

Senate Confirms Clarke as Air National Guard Chief

The Senate has confirmed Air Force Lt. Gen. Stanley E. "Sid" Clarke III as the next director of the Air National Guard. Story

DOD Heightens Training, Prevention to Target Trafficking

To spark awareness and vigilance against a growing global human rights crisis, President Barack Obama has proclaimed January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Story | Proclamation

Panetta Praises Security Transition Progress in Afghanistan

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta praised Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s announcement that Afghanistan has entered the second to last stage of the transition of security responsibility from NATO’s International Security Assistance Force to Afghan security forces. Story

President, Defense Leaders Praise Schwarzkopf’s Legacy

President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, praised the service and legacy of retired Army Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, who passed away Dec. 27, 2012, at age 78. Story | Photos

• Schwarzkopf, Architect of Desert Storm, Dies at 78
• Obama Statement on Schwarzkopf's Passing
• Panetta Statement on Schwarzkopf's Passing
• McHugh, Odierno Joint Statement on Schwarzkopf's Passing

Parents Honor Son’s Memory Through Camp Hope

A retired soldier and his wife are honoring their fallen son through a program that’s bringing new hope and confidence to wounded warriors. Story

All Services Preparing for Inauguration

More than 5,000 service members from all branches of active, National Guard and reserve components are planning to take part in the nation's 57th Presidential Inauguration on Jan 21. Story

DOD Offers Non-medical Counseling to Troops, Families

The Defense Department continues to ensure the well-being of service members and their families through no-cost, short-term, non-medical counseling in the interests of military and family readiness. Story

AFPS Launches 'Year in Photos 2012' Review

American Forces Press Service's "Year in Photos 2012" offers images of troops as they conduct operations around the world, compete in athletic events such as the Olympics, and reunite with their families. Story | Photos

Obamas Offer Holiday Wishes, Call for All to Remember Vets

During the weekly address from the White House, President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, wished service members, veterans and their families a happy holiday season, and called on all Americans to remember those in harm’s way. Story

Retired Army NCO Brings Ice Hockey to Military Kids

Shane Hudella, a retired Minnesota Army National Guard first sergeant and Operation Desert Storm veteran, runs the charitable foundation “Defending the Blue Line,” which introduces the sport of ice hockey to the children of military members. Story

DOD Announces 2013 Housing, Meal Allowance Rates

On Jan. 1, 2013, service members can expect to see an average increase of about $60 in their 2013 basic allowance for housing, said Cheryl Anne Woehr, the Base Allowance for Housing program manager. Story

DOD Announces Recruiting, Retention Numbers

All four active-duty services and five of the six reserve components met or exceeded their recruiting goals in the first month of fiscal 2013, Defense Department officials announced. Story

Website Informs Employers Seeking to Hire Veterans

The Labor Department, in concert with two other federal agencies, has provided a tool to guide potential employers seeking to hire disabled veterans. Story

Security Force Arrests Taliban Leader in Kandahar

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader during an operation in the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province. Story

Force Arrests Taliban Leader, Seizes IED Materials

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province. Story

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Leader

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and detained one other suspected insurgent during an operation in the Nad ‘Ali district of Helmand province. Story

Security Force Arrests Taliban Leader

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and detained one other suspected insurgent during an operation in the Now Zad district of Helmand province. Story

Combined Force Arrests 15 Insurgents

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested 15 insurgents in the Bati Kot district of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province during a search for a Taliban facilitator. Story

ISAF Commander Condemns Kabul Explosion

Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, the commander of the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, strongly condemned the explosion in Kabul, which reportedly killed at least one Afghan civilian and injured more than a dozen others. Story

Force Arrests Taliban Leader, Detains 3 Suspects

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader and detained three suspected insurgents during an operation in the Ghazni district of Ghazni province. Story

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Facilitator

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator and detained two suspected insurgents during an operation in the Nad ‘Ali district of Helmand province. Story

Force Arrests Taliban Leader in Helmand Province

A combined coalition and Afghan security force arrested a Taliban leader in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province, military officials reported. Story

Combined Force Arrests Haqqani Leader

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Haqqani leader during an operation in the Mota Khan district of Paktika province. Story