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

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

WASHINGTON - 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.

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. - Air Force Col. Donald Majercik, a flight surgeon with the Vermont Air National Guard, notched 1,000 hours in the cockpit flying F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - A retired soldier and his wife are honoring their fallen son through a program that’s bringing new hope and confidence to wounded warriors.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has signed the $633 billion fiscal 2013 National Defense Authorization Act into law.

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

BAUMHOLDER, Germany - An American in Germany expressed her gratitude to U.S. soldiers who rescued her and her children from a terrifying auto accident.

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

WASHINGTON - 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.

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The Air Force's top firefighter has stepped down after 46 years of military and civilian service.

WASHINGTON - 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.

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

WASHINGTON - 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.

WASHINGTON - 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.