United States Department of Defense

Panetta to Lead U.S. Delegation to NATO Defense Ministerial

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta will continue in his position until former Sen. Chuck Hagel is confirmed, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said. Story

Sequestration Could Delay Redeployment for Soldiers

The lack of an appropriations bill coupled with sequestration could eventually cause soldiers to be delayed in their redeployment home from Afghanistan, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno said in remarks at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. Story

New Medal Reflects Changing Face of Conflict, Official Says

The new Distinguished Warfare Medal recognizes the changing face of conflict in the 21st century, said Juliet Beyler, the acting director of officer and enlisted personnel management in the Pentagon. Story

• Panetta Announces Distinguished Warfare Medal

Post Sets Example in Curbing Suicides, Preventable Deaths

As military leaders struggle to reverse rising suicide rates within the force, Fort Bliss, Texas, is bucking the national trend, reporting a 30-percent drop last year and serving as a promising model for the Army and its sister services. Story | Special

Recruiting Remains Robust Through December

All four active services met or exceeded their target recruiting numbers for the first three months of fiscal 2013, Pentagon officials reported. Story

Panetta, Dempsey Honor Clinton for Leadership

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presented former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton with awards and thanked her for her efforts to work with the military to extend America’s leadership. Story | Photos | Speech

Carter Warns Again of Dangers of Sequestration

If Congress fails to stop the sequestration mechanism in budget law that will impose across-the-board defense spending cuts March 1, it could demonstrate to allies and enemies that the United States lacks the resolve, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter said. Story | Photos

Carter Describes ‘Crisis of Readiness’ to Lawmakers

Looming spending cuts and the lack of a budget for the fiscal year present a readiness crisis for the Defense Department, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter told the Senate Appropriations Committee. Story | Photos

Justice Rolls Slowly in Alleged 9/11 Suspects’ Case

The latest round of pre-trial hearings for the alleged 9/11 mastermind and four accomplices wrapped up at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, much as it started: with hours of wrangling over legal and privacy issues and continued protests by the defense team that the system is rigged. Story

Official: Mali’s Lessons Inform Future Partnership Efforts

The United States continues to work with international and interagency partners to support the efforts of France and the African-led international support mission to Mali to counter extremists and restore Malian sovereignty, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for African affairs told Congress. Story

Rapid Equipping Force Solicits Ideas From Soldiers

The Army's Rapid Equipping Force is seeking new ideas on how to deliver modern technologies and solutions to the battlefield, and is inviting soldiers, industry leaders and "tinkerers" to submit ideas via www.ref.army.mil. Story

Pentagon Lecture Highlights Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation would have been only words on paper had it not been for the pivotal effort by African-Americans themselves to support the U.S. military, said historian Edward L. Ayers, who spoke during the Pentagon's commemoration of African-American History Month. Story | Special

Absentee Voting Program Exceeds Expectations

The Federal Voting Assistance Program exceeded congressional expectations in the 2012 election cycle by getting guidance to service members so they could vote by absentee ballot, a senior program official said. Story

Revamped Website Helps Kids, Parents, Teachers

The Defense Department website for military children has added new features to help parents and educators explain difficult topics of the military lifestyle to children. Story | Special

Salem Takes Honor as National Guard’s Birthplace

President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill that designates Salem, Mass., as the birthplace of the National Guard. Story

DOD to Honor Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 24

The Defense Department will honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. this year with a Jan. 24 observance hosted by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta. Story

Military, Civilian Blood Donors Provide ‘Gift of Life’

January is National Blood Donor Month and Defense Department employees are encouraged to “roll up their sleeves and give the gift of life,” said Air Force Col. Richard McBride, Armed Services Blood Program director. Story

• Armed Services Blood Program

Recruiting Remains Strong Through November

All four active services met or exceeded their target recruiting numbers for the first two months of fiscal 2013, Pentagon officials reported today. Story

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

Combined Force Kills Taliban Leader in Afghanistan

A combined Afghan and coalition force in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province killed a Taliban leader and seized assault rifles, grenades and other weapons. Another combined force arrested another network leader accused of attacks and kidnappings. Story

Coalition, Afghan Forces Arrest Weapons Distributor

A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader in the Khanabad district of Kunduz province. Story

Force Searching for Taliban Leader Detains Insurgents

A combined Afghan and coalition security force in the Maiwand district of Kandahar province detained four insurgents while searching of a senior Taliban leader. Story

Combined Force Arrests Explosives Expert in Takhar

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested an Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leader during an operation in the Yangi Qal‘ah district of Takhar province. Story

Officials Report No Fatalities in ISAF Helicopter Crash

All crew members have been recovered with no reported fatalities following the crash of an International Security Assistance Force helicopter in eastern Afghanistan. Story

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Facilitator

A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban facilitator in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province. Story

Afghan, Coalition Troops Arrest Taliban IED Facilitator

A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban improvised explosive device facilitator in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand province. Story

Force Arrests Taliban Leaders in Helmand Province

A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested two Taliban leaders in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. Story

Combined Force Arrests Taliban IED Attack Leader

A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in the Arghandab district of Kandahar province. Story

Afghan, Coalition Troops Arrest Taliban IED Expert

A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in the Baghlan-e Jadid district of Baghlan province. Story

Security Force Arrests Taliban Leader

A combined Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader during an operation in the Hahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province. Story