All Activity

On Thursday, the Daily Wire reported Donnelly’s name was withdrawn from the nomination following questions from the outlet about drag performances that were held aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) when he was in command from 2016 to 2018.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Note: This article was originally published April 17, 2025. It was updated and republished July 11 with information about the current measles case count in the U.S. You may have heard about the ongoing measles outbreak in the U.S. As of July 8, there have been 1,288 confirmed cases in 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While most of these cases are in Texas, cases have been rising across the country. Anyone who isn’t protected against measles can get the illness—and children are especially at risk of getting seriously sick. You may be wondering how to keep your family safe.

NAVADMIN 147/25

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/ ROUTINE R 111518Z JUL 25 MID120002078443U FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 058/25 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/JUL// SUBJ/BLAST OVERPRESSURE AND COGNITIVE MONITORING PROGRAM// REF/A/DOC/DEPSECDEF MEMO/08JUN2022// REF/B/DOC/DEPSECDEF MEMO/08AUG2024// REF/C/DOC/DOD BOP REFERENCE AND INFORMATION GUIDE/OCT 2024// REF/D/DOC/DODINST 6490.13/28MAY2024// REF/E/DOC/DODINST 6490.03/19JUL2019// REF/F/DOC/USD(P&R) MEMO/12DEC2024// NARR/REF A IS THE DOD BLAST OVERPRESSURE POLICY REF B IS A DEPSECDECF MEMO REGARDING COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN FOR WARFIGHTER BRAIN HEALTH REF C IS THE DOD BLAST OVERPRESSURE REFERENCE INFORMATION GUIDE (D BOP RIG) REF D IS THE DOD COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ON TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY-RELATED NEUROCOGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS BY THE MILITARY REF E IS THE DOD POLICY ON DEPLOYMENT HEALTH REF F IS THE DOD IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE FOR MANAGING BRAIN HEALTH RISKS FOR BLAST OVERPRESSURE// RMKS/1. The Department of the Navy (DON) remains committed to the health and safety of our Sailors and Marines. Decades of combat operations have taught us that some injuries particularly to the brain may not be immediately apparent and repeated exposure to certain conditions can have cumulative effects. The science surrounding these exposures continues to evolve, and we recognize a strong relationship between Blast Overpressure (BOP) and the Warfighter Brain Health (WBH). 2. As discussed in reference (a), the WBH Initiative addresses concussions and other forms of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Brain injuries may result from direct impacts, exposure to blasts or low-level blasts or operation of certain weapons systems. BOP encompasses exposure to events that release energy through multiple pathways (impulse noise, pressure waves, body acceleration, and vibration), potentially causing injury. These exposures may occur in combat, operational evolutions and training environments. 3. Managing risks related to BOP and WBH spans across operations, training, safety, medical and information communities. Reference (b) establishes four pounds per square inch (psi) as the action threshold for BOP exposure. Per reference (c), the four psi action threshold is consistently reached or exceeded by operators of shoulder- fired weapons. Other activities, such as training involving detonations, have the potential to exceed four psi and may amplify or prolong exposures of any level. Therefore, DON categorizes such personnel as high risk based on the definition below, and these personnel must complete a Cognitive Monitoring Program (CMP) baseline assessment by September 30, 2025 as required by reference (b). The Department of Defense (DoD) tool to complete a CMP baseline is the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics. a. High-risk is defined as all Active Component personnel assigned to units where they will or are likely to engage in training or operational activities that place them in the proximity of weapons systems recognized or suspected to produce hazardous BOP exposures often within a 12-month period. The term "often" means a more frequent or regular exposure, such as daily or multiple times per week, with little variability. The term "high-risk" would traditionally include those assigned to "warfighter" and training units. 4. All other DON active-duty military members must be baselined by September 30, 2027. These efforts are directly tied to overall force readiness. 5. CMP baseline assessments have been a longstanding pre- deployment requirement per references (d) and (e), though previously, shipboard personnel were exempt. Reference (b) rescinds that exemption. Currently, baseline assessment capabilities exist at several locations, including Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. A complete list of all CMP testing sites can be found at: https://esportal.med.navy.mil/bumed/rh/m3/M33/Pages/TBI.aspx. As there are many additional sites being created across the DoD, this list will be updated regularly. 6. Chief of Naval Operations and Commandant of the Marine Corps will: a. Designate a Navy and a Marine Corps BOP Management Action Lead at the O-7 level or above to be responsible and accountable for implementing BOP and WBH requirements including those listed in the references. Notify Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment (ASN (EI&E)) via Memorandum of the BOP Management Action Lead designations no later than July 24, 2025. ASN (EI&E) will coordinate with the BOP Management Action Leads to ensure implementation of all requirements. 7. The Management Action Leads for the Navy and the Marine Corps will ensure that Commanders and Commanding Officers: a. Leverage existing capabilities at installations conducting live-fire activities to facilitate baseline cognitive assessments for personnel who are deemed high-risk based on the guidance above. b. Utilize remaining capabilities to assess personnel who are deemed increased-risk based on the guidance above, followed by all remaining personnel if resources are available. c. Support the establishment of additional testing locations, including but not limited to, providing physical space for testing sites (when necessary) and identifying personnel who can serve as proctors for testing. d. Direct exposed personnel to existing training sites as capacity becomes available. 8. All DON personnel will: a. Be vigilant for symptoms which may be attributable to exposure to BOP in oneself and others. An excellent resource created by the Defense Health Agency Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence is the following: https://health.mil/Reference-Center/Fact-Sheets/2024/10/16/Low-Level-BlastService-Members-Fact-Sheet b. Promptly report suspected brain injuries to the cognizant medical department and chain of command. 9. Every member of the DON is responsible for minimizing the risk of brain injury. Through vigilance and proactive behavior, we strengthen our collective ability to protect our mission and our people. 10. Our success depends on the commitment of every Sailor, Marine, civilian, and contractor. Together, we will maintain a secure environment that protects both mission accomplishment and the safety of our force. 11. Released by the Honorable John C. Phelan, Secretary of the Navy.// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/

Journalist and UFO enthusiast Jeremy Corbell has released footage, reportedly captured by the US military in 2020, of a disc-shaped unidentified flying object. The Pentagon declined to answer CNN’s questions on the validity of the video.

FBI deputy director Dan Bongino took a day off from work Friday after clashing at the White House with Attorney General Pam Bondi over their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, four sources familiar with conflict told Axios. Why it matters: The dispute erupted Wednesday amid the fallout of the administration walking back its claims about Epstein by determining the convicted sex offender didn't have a celebrity "client list," and that he wasn't murdered in his New York City prison cell in 2019.

Can you help in this case?... NORFOLK, Va. — Angelina Resendiz vanished from her barracks at Naval Station Norfolk the morning of Thursday, May 29. Nearly two weeks later, her body was recovered behind an elementary school in Norfolk. During that time, Resendiz' family grew frustrated by a lack of information provided during the investigation into her disappearance. We've compiled a full timeline of events from information we received from authorities and the family.

Rule of Law, Due Process... In an interview with The New York Times, the lawyer, Erez Reuveni, who filed a detailed whistle-blower claim to the Senate last month, shared his growing sense of alarm as he defended the administration’s aggressive deportation agenda. He said he was willing to testify to Congress or in court about what he described as an intentional effort by the administration to ignore judges and the due process rights of hundreds of migrants.

Not surprisingly, Hegseth has brought to the Pentagon the same disorder and disarray that has characterized his entire messed-up and messy life. Part of this mayhem is ideological: As I’ve noted in a previous column, Trump is turning the military into a MAGA institution, using troops to quell domestic protests and giving political speeches where soldiers serve as stage props. Hegseth has been very much part of this dangerous politicization of the military, working to purge the military of trans soldiers as well as removing as any positive tributes to civil rights pioneers such as Jackie Robinson and Harvey Milk. Hegseth backed down from deleting Robinson from a Defense Department website after protests, but his general crusade to create a right-wing military continues.

But Americans have never witnessed anything like the corruption that President Donald Trump and his inner circle have perpetrated in recent months. Its brazenness, volume, and variety defy historical comparison, even in a country with a centuries-long history of graft—including, notably, Trump’s first four years in office. Indeed, his second term makes the financial scandals of his first—foreign regimes staying at Trump’s hotel in Washington, D.C.; the (aborted) plan to host the G7 at Trump’s hotel in Florida—seem quaint.

Joy Metzler had expected to still be in uniform, working as a junior officer at her Air Force engineering job. Instead, she found herself protesting outside the United Nations, weakened from participating in a 40-day fast as she called on authorities to deliver full humanitarian aid to Gaza and end U.S. weapons transfers to Israel. The soft-spoken 23-year-old had pursued military service with enthusiasm. She graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2023 and received her commission the same year, hoping that the military would provide a meaningful way to give back to a country that became her home when she was adopted from China as an infant.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs announced today it has temporarily expanded burial benefits for certain Veterans, per the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act.

NAVADMIN 132/25 outlines key info for Cycle 268 Active Duty/TAR E5 and E6 advancement, including eligibility, deadlines, and exam types. July 31, 2025: PMK-EE Completion Deadline Aug 31, 2025: ELD Course Completion Deadline Exam Dates: Sept 4, 2025: E6 Exam Sept 11, 2025: E5 Exam EAW will close one week after exam date on worksheet.

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/ ROUTINE R 101400Z JUL 25 MID180001837396U FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 146/25 SUBJ/2025 SEPARATION HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAM FITNESS TO SEPARATE VERSUS FITNESS TO REAFFILIATE TO SERVICE IN THE NAVY RESERVE// REF/A/DOC/DODI 6040.46/14APR16// REF/B/DOC/DoDI 1332.18 Vol 1/24FEB23// REF/C/DOC/DoDI 6130.03 Vol 2/04SEP20// REF/D/DOC/BUMEDINST 1300.6/21MAR23// REF/E/DOC/NAVMED CH 15/15FEB19// REF/F/DOC/DoDI 6130.03 Vol 1/06MAY18// REF/G/DOC/SECNAVINST 1770.5/23AUG18// REF/H/DOC/SECNAVINST M-1850.1/SEP19// NARR/REF A IS DOD INSTRUCTION 6040.46, THE SEPARATION HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION (SHPE) FOR THE DOD SEPARATION HEALTH ASSESSMENT PROGRAM. REF B IS DOD INSTRUCTION 1332.18 VOLUME 1, DISABILITY EVALUATION SYSTEM MANUAL: PROCESSES. REF C IS DOD INSTRUCTION 6130.03 VOLUME 2, MEDICAL STANDARDS FOR MILITARY SERVICE: RETENTION. REF D IS BUMEDINST 1300.6, GENERAL DEPLOYABILITY ASSESSMENTS IN SUPPORT OF OPERATIONAL MEDICAL READINESS. REF E IS NAVMED P-117, MANUAL OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, CHAPTER 15. REF F IS DOD INSTRUCTION 6130.03 VOLUME 1, MEDICAL STANDARDS FOR MILITARY SERVICE: APPOINTMENT, ENLISTMENT, OR INDUCTION. REF G IS SECNAVINST 1770.5, MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSITION OF LINE OF DUTY BENEFITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS RESERVE. REF H IS SECNAVINST M-1850.1, DISABILITY EVALUATION SYSTEM MANUAL. POC/FORCE HEALTH PLANS AND POLICY OFFICER, RESERVE POLICY & INTEGRATION (N1R), NAVY BUREAU OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY/PHONE/ 703-681-9170 RMKS/1. Per reference (a), all Service members completing a period of qualifying active duty must complete a SHPE. The SHPE serves primarily to: a. Document the member's suitability for continuing service (e.g., Reserve affiliation or potential return to active duty) as the baseline measurement of "Fitness to Separate". "Fit to separate" status at the time of retirement or separation does not imply that a departing Service member is devoid of medical conditions or diagnoses, but rather indicates: (1) The absence of a service-connected disability condition warranting referral to the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) (except for cases where the PEB has already made a finding). (2) Member meets medical retention standards, making them physically qualified to satisfy Reserve affiliation obligations or be considered to reenter active service. 2. Per references (a) and (b), SHPEs are predicated on criteria for retention standards, and the exam may be used for affiliation or reaffiliation screening for up to 36 months from the exam completion date. Because of this, it is essential that when conducting SHPEs providers truly assess the member's medical status (diagnoses and all functional limitations) against retention standards stated in reference (c), and document current stability and all duty/deployment limitations associated with each of the Service member's known diagnoses, and whether the Service member is fit for continuing service by stating "fit to affiliate" or "fit to re-affiliate". a. Fitness to Separate. If a provider deems a member is "fit to separate", but the member has a condition that is not currently in a stable phase of treatment or would render them as non-deployable if remaining on active duty, the Service member is considered not fit to immediately affiliate or re-affiliate with the Reserve Component (RC) and will require a new or updated accessions physical as per para 2.b.(3) of this policy to immediately affiliate or re-affiliate with the Reserve Component (RC), the provider must clearly document on the SHPE that the member is "NOT fit to affiliate" to avoid automatic clearance to affiliate or re-affiliate into the Active or Reserve Component with conditions that do not meet retention standards. b. Fitness to Affiliate/Re-affiliate. (1) For the purpose of this NAVADMIN, affiliation refers to direct transfer from Active Component (AC) to RC immediately after separation from the AC. Reaffiliation pertains to applicants with prior service in the Navy or Marine Corps who are not currently contracted in the Active or Reserve Component and desire to affiliate with the Navy or Marine Corps Reserve after a break in service. (2) Fit to affiliate/re-affiliate equates to Deployability Category one (DCAT1) or two (DCAT2) as defined in reference (d). (3) If their prior Service separation was related to a medical condition (e.g., a PEB finding of unfitness, administrative separation for fraudulent or defective enlistment related to a medical condition, or not being worldwide assignable due to a medical condition) the following applies: (a) These applicants must undergo a new or updated accessions physical examination, following the procedures outlined in reference (e) and; (b) To affiliate, these applicants are required to meet the accession standards for enlistment or commission, as outlined in reference (f) or receive a waiver of the standards. (4) If their prior Service separation was not related to a medical condition (e.g., separation at end of obligated service or separation at the convenience of the government), their SHPE is current within 36 months, and they were deemed "fit for separation" with all diagnoses noted as stable with a deployability assessment that equates to DCAT1 or DCAT2 as documented on the SHPE and "fit for affiliation/re-affiliation" (equating to Deployability Category one [1] or two [2]), a new accession physical is not required unless specifically requested by the organization through which they complete their re-affiliation processing. Other documents may be required in lieu of a full accession physical, such as an updated DD 2807-1. (5) An Echelon 5 medical department shall not initiate a Medical Retention Review for condition(s) determined in the SHPE to meet affiliation or re-affiliation standards for the period the SHPE is valid. MP1 Manpower Availability Status Code may be directly assigned if the following criteria are met: SHPE has been completed within the last 12 months, and Echelon 4 Regional Medical Director reviews SHPE and confirms mobilization limiting medical conditions are present and meet the criteria of Physically Qualified - Mobilization Limited. (6) If the individual has been separated for over 36 months or if there is no available SHPE or military physical examination current within 36 months, the individual is required to obtain a new accession physical examination and receive a "physically qualified" determination or medical waiver to re-affiliate. Other examination timelines or requirements may apply based on the policies of the organization through which the reaffiliation is processed. 3. Other Findings. RC Service members on active duty for more than 30 days may be eligible for medical hold (MEDHOLD) per reference (g) and (h). RC Service members who decline or are ineligible for MEDHOLD may be eligible for Line of Duty Healthcare, or Line of Duty Benefits for Disability Evaluation System if their disability was incurred or aggravated in a qualified duty status pending adjudication by Benefits Issuing Authority per reference (h). RC Service members may enter the DES process from either MEDHOLD or LOD if conditions do not resolve. Limited Duty is not an administrative category available to RC members. 4. The point of contact is BUMED N1R and can be reached at 703-681-9170. 5. This NAVADMIN remains in effect until superseded or cancelled, whichever comes first. 6. Released by Rear Admiral Darin K. Via, N093, Surgeon General of the Navy.// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/

This lying by the trump administration needs to stop... “But that’s not a deal, that’s a threat,” Bash pressed. “No, that’s the level. That’s the deal. If you wanna trade with the United States, this is—” Treasury Secretary Bessent tried to explain. “But that’s not a negotiation, that’s just a declaration,” Bash said. “Well, many of these countries never even contacted us,” Bessent replied. But just months ago, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that the phones at the White House were “ringing off the hook” with countries calling to make deals with the United States.

pResident trump is losing control... When the British defense team came to the Pentagon in June and spoke about the U.K.’s decision to send an aircraft carrier to Asia on a routine deployment, Colby interjected with a brusque comment. “He basically asked them, ‘Is it too late to call it back?’” said the person familiar with Trump administration dynamics. “Because we don't want you there.” A second person familiar with the meeting confirmed this account.

NAVADMIN 145/25

The Navy expects to have a decision on further well testing around Naval Air Station Oceana by the end of the summer, according to a defense official. The Navy is currently assessing the need for additional sampling of private drinking water wells surrounding Oceana. One private well near NAS Oceana was offered an alternative source of drinking water, after an earlier round of testing. Households living near 55 bases around the country have been offered similar help.

Exceptional Family Newsletter | July 9, 2025

The Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) Reserve Program (NWRP) recognized its Sailor of Year (SOY) at a ceremony in NAVWAR headquarters in San Diego Feb. 23. Electronics Technician (ET1) Makayla Burgan, from Palm Bay, Fla., was named NAVWAR’s Reserve Sailor of the Year, following a three-day board process. After Burgan’s recognition at the NAVWAR level, she went on to participate in the national SOY board in Washington, D.C. May 14-16. This three-day event in San Diego took place Feb. 21-23 and was modeled after the national board, including history, heritage, physical training, social and formal interview activities. The other Reserve finalists from NAVWAR included ET1 Joseph Schmidt, ET1 Terra Ritchie, ET1 Jonathan Goetz and ET1 Christopher Kane. The Sailor of the Year program was established in 1972 by then-Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Elmo Zumwalt to recognize outstanding Atlantic and Pacific Fleet Sailors. It was later expanded to include top Shore and Reserve Force Sailors as well. “In the NWRP, our Sailors are constantly going well above and beyond, exemplifying their dedication to enhance our warfighting capabilities through technology, as well as demonstrating the core values of honor, courage and commitment both in and out of uniform,” said Alex Aguila, command master chief of the NWRP. “Recognizing our best Sailors through the SOY program is something the Chiefs at NAVWAR and I take great pride in.” Burgan originally joined the Navy as a path towards higher education. After being active duty for six years, she signed up for the Reserve to keep serving with more flexibility. “I wanted to find a way to continue helping Sailors,” she said. “My time as a victim advocate during active duty is how I discovered I wanted to become a chaplain. They can provide counseling services and be a support system for those struggling while on deployment.” With a bachelor’s in Christian ministry and currently pursuing a master’s in divinity with a concentration in chaplaincy, she hopes to eventually join the Navy chaplain corps to be a resource to her fellow Sailors and allow them a safe place to share their experiences. Burgan has spent all eight years of her Reserve career with NAVWAR. As part of the NAVWAR Reserve Detachment Unit Cyber Warfare Midwest in Austin, Texas, she currently works as a cybersecurity service provider (CSSP) operations analyst. She supports the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic CSSP watch-floor in Charleston, S.C. “I’ve loved being part of the NAVWAR team. I’ve had incredible opportunities to support programs like Unmanned Systems, Project Overmatch and cyber readiness, as well as to work on the Network Operations Support Team (NST),” she said. Her NAVWAR role has also taken her around the world—including to Djibouti, Italy, Hawaii and Norfolk, Va. In D.C., Burgan and the four other finalists were brought together from U.S. Navy and Marine Corps commands across the country to face a board of Navy Reserve’s leadership to gauge the candidates’ knowledge, bearing and professionalism. They also toured historical sites such as the National Archives and the National Museum of the U.S. Navy to connect with the Navy’s heritage. “I was humbled and excited to represent NAVWAR at a national level. Spending the week with other finalists, making connections with these like-minded Sailors was truly life changing,” she said. “My time in D.C. has renewed me as both a Sailor and a leader. I would not be here without the amazing Sailors I work with and the mentors who have guided me. Grateful doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel.” About NAVWAR: NAVWAR identifies, develops, delivers and sustains information warfighting capabilities and services that enable naval, joint, coalition and other national missions operating in warfighting domains from seabed to space. NAVWAR consists of more than 11,000 civilian, active duty and reserve professionals located around the world.

The big picture: Jumbled narratives and dismissive answers raise questions about what an "America First" foreign policy looks like, and who really holds the levers of power in Washington. Driving the news: President Trump on Monday reversed a hold on weapons shipments to Ukraine. He told his counterpart, President Volodymyr Zelensky, in the intervening days he hadn't actually ordered the freeze, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Secretary of Defense Pete did not inform the White House before he authorized a pause on weapons shipments to Ukraine last week, according to five sources familiar with the matter, setting off a scramble inside the administration to understand why the halt was implemented and explain it to Congress and the Ukrainian government. President Donald Trump suggested on Tuesday that he was not responsible for the move. Asked on Tuesday during a Cabinet meeting whether he approved of the pause in shipments, Trump demurred, saying only that the US would continue to send defensive weapons to Ukraine. Pressed again on who authorized the pause, Trump replied, “I don’t know, why don’t you tell me?”

TACO Tuesday WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Monday the U.S. will have to send more weapons to Ukraine, just days after ordering a pause in critical weapons deliveries to Kyiv. Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-07-07/trump-us-weapons-ukraine-18368419.html Source - Stars and Stripes

Navy College Program Newsletter | Scholarship Opportunities

Q&A: Getting TRICARE for Your Newborn Baby