The US military is holding two survivors on a Navy ship after the US carried out a Thursday strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean, according to three US officials. The strike, which has not been publicly acknowledged by the Trump administration, was the sixth known strike on an boat allegedly involved in drug trafficking. But it appeared to mark the first time an attack had not killed everyone on board.

Recently, we asked active and reserve US military members and veterans to share what they honestly think about Donald Trump and his administration, and they definitely didn't hold back. Amid jeopardizing America's relationships with long-standing allies, Veteran Affairs layoffs, and — among many other things — deploying troops to intimidate the American people, here's how active military members and veterans are reacting:

WAAH Secretary Pete Hedgehog on Thursday announced that the top military official overseeing military strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug runners will retire at the end of the year — a surprising move given that the four-star admiral took command less than a year ago.

R 012243Z OCT 25 FM SECNAV WASHINGTON DC TO ALNAV INFO SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CNO WASHINGTON DC CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS ALNAV 073/25 MSIG/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/OCT// SUBJ/DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY CONTINUED OPERATIONS DURING A LAPSE IN APPROPRIATIONS// REF/A/DOC/MEMORANDUM/30SEP2025// AMPN/REF A IS SECRETARY OF THE NAVY MEMORANDUM, DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE ACTIVITIES EXCEPTED IN THE ABSENCE OF AVAILABLE FISCAL YEAR 2026 APPROPRIATIONS// RMKS/1. This message provides guidance regarding Department of the Navy (DON) operations during this lapse in appropriations. While this situation presents challenges, the DON remains committed to supporting our Sailors, Marines, civilian employees and their families. 2. The DON will continue to meet its obligations regarding the deployment of forces, safety of human life and protection of property, as directed by statutes and Department of War guidance. Exempted and excepted activities, including critical maintenance and shipbuilding activities, remain underway. Other activities must cease unless approved as an exception by me or by an official to whom the Chief of Naval Operations, the Commandant of the Marine Corps or I have delegated the authority to issue such approvals, consistent with reference (a). 3. Sailors and Marines ashore, afloat and forward give America options no adversary can match. We will remain on duty and continue to serve. Though a shutdown can affect pay timing, schedules and daily life, we are committed to helping you through it. 4. DON organizations and activities can find the latest guidance, instructions and procedures regarding excepted activities at: [https://flankspeed.sharepointmil.us/sites/RequestForExceptedActivitiesRFEA/SitePages/Home. aspx. This site is accessible to anyone with a Common Access Card. Commanders and Senior Enlisted Leaders, communicate early and often. Be clear about duties, exemptions and expectations. If something is unclear, elevate it fast. 5. Organizations and activities who believe their requirements must not be delayed until appropriated funding is restored should submit a Request for Excepted Activity through the Request for Excepted Activities Tool, which can be accessed at [https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/l/team/19%3Adod%3Ab799b9fe0cfc 4878a13f1f0e18e9488b%40thread.tacv2/conversations?groupId=a4a 0930d-0c82-4757-8ea4-a12d06e1d483&tenantId=e3333e00-c877- 4b87-b6ad-45e942de1750. Submissions must be signed by a sponsoring Flag/General Officer, Senior Executive Service Member or equivalent. Use of the “Request for Excepted Activities Tool” is the fastest method to submit a request and receive a decision. However, should there be a problem accessing the site, requests may be emailed to NonDelApprovals@navy.mil. This method should only be used in an emergency. 6. Guidance and information are also available on the Office of Civilian Human Resources website, [https://portal.secnav.navy.mil/orgs/MRA/DONHR/OCHRHQ/Pages/Fu rlough.aspx. 7. Leaders, check on your people early and often. We are teammates taking care of teammates. Command teams must provide updates on timing and duty status. If you need assistance, talk to your chain of command, your command’s Ombudsman or Fleet and Family Support Centers. Use the Department of the Navy Civilian Employee Assistance Program or Military OneSource. These resources are built for moments like this. 8. For additional information and resources, please visit navy.mil and marines.mil. 9. Your commitment is our compass. Stay focused and stay ready. This situation does not define your service. Your service defines our strength. Our unity will carry us through. Thank you for your dedication and service. 10. This message is automatically canceled once appropriations have been restored either via a Continuing Resolution or other budgetary process. 11. Released by the Honorable John C. Phelan, Secretary of the Navy.// ___________________ John C. Phelan

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/ ROUTINE R 101337Z OCT 25 MID120012123571U FM CHINFO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 218/25 SUBJ/ANNUAL CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FROM QUALIFIED NAVY PERSONNEL FOR THE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY ADVANCED MILITARY VISUAL JOURNALISM TRAINING PROGRAM 2026// POC/MCCM HOLLY BOYNTON GRAY/CHINFO SEA/LOC: WASHINGTON DC/TEL: COMM:  (703) 692-4704/DSN: 222-4704/EMAIL: HOLLY.A.BOYNTONGRAY.MIL(AT)US.NAVY.MIL// RMKS/1. The Navy is soliciting applications from Mass Communication Specialists (MC) for the Syracuse University Newhouse School's Advanced Military Visual Journalism (AMVJ) training program for academic year 2026-2027. The class reporting date for the photojournalism, videography and graphic design programs is tentatively scheduled for 30 July 2026 with a projected graduation date on or around 6 May 2027. Specific portfolio requirements are in paragraph 2d. Applicants may apply to programs by submitting the appropriate portfolio as outlined in paragraphs 2c. and d. 2. Applications must be submitted no later than 16 January 2026. For complete directions and guidance for electronic submission, contact POC listed above and in paragraph 7. Applications must include the following:  a. A command endorsement on letterhead summarizing the candidate's qualifications, including a statement certifying the portfolio is the sole work of the applicant, and recommendation for candidate's acceptance in the program. Parent commands are responsible for eligibility verification of endorsed candidates and submission of applicable waivers. Waivers of prerequisites (e.g., TIS, PG, TOS, etc.) will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Commanding Officers should address applicant's maturity, ability to work independently, financial security, and academic ability when recommending a nominee, particularly when requesting waivers.  b. An essay explaining why a candidate is interested in the AMVJ program. Essay should include motivations, influences, expectations, and post-course desires.  c. A portfolio demonstrating sufficient technical ability to successfully complete the course. An applicant must submit a portfolio with communication products from across the full-spectrum of media disciplines. Each product in the portfolio must follow the rules listed in the category descriptions found within the standard operating procedures for Navy Public Affairs Awards.  d. Photojournalism program portfolio requirements. Candidates must submit a portfolio consisting of seven examples of their work. Portfolio must contain the following:  (1) One writing product from the Individual Writing category.  (2) One video story from the Individual Video category.  (3) Four photo products from the Individual Photo category (must have one photo series, one portrait, and two photos from any other Individual Photo category).  (4) One graphic design product from any of the Individual Graphic Design categories.  e. Videography program portfolio requirements. Candidates must submit a portfolio consisting of four examples of their work. Portfolio must contain the following:  (1) One video story from the Individual Video category.  (2) One multimedia product from the Individual Video category.  (3) One video spot from the Individual Video category.  (4) One b-roll product from the Individual Video category.  f. Graphics program portfolio requirements. Candidates must submit a portfolio consisting of seven examples of their work. Portfolio must contain the following:  (1) One animation product.  (2) Two layout and design products.  (3) Two digital art products.  (4) One identity design product.  (5) One writing product from the Individual Writing category.  g. Applicants are required to provide a biography as part of the submission process. The biography is not part of the selection process but will be used to identify and introduce the selectees to the faculty and staff at the university if selected. No biography photo required. 3. Prior to acceptance to the program and distribution of orders, applicants must:  a. Be approved to reenlist or extend in the MC Rating through June 2031.  b. Have a command endorsed 1306.  c. Be within physical fitness assessment standards to include no PFA failures in the past three years.  d. Not have any civil or Non-Judicial Punishment violations in the past three years. 4. Course scope, prerequisites and portfolio requirements are found in CANTRAC, which can be accessed via the Navy Education and Training Command website at https://www.netc.navy.mil/. Click on the CANTRAC  icon at the bottom of the webpage and search for course information using either Course Identification Number listed in paragraph 1 or the title, Advanced Military Visual Journalism. 5. Applicants in their orders window, and not yet selected for orders, must contact the detailer with their intentions. Applicants who have executed orders and are en route to their next command are not eligible. Navy Personnel Command has the final approval prior to final selection. 6. The selection board will convene in February 2026. Selectees will be notified via Naval message in February 2026. 7. Point of contact is MCCM Holly Boynton Gray who can be reached by email at holly.a.boyntongray.mil(AT)us.navy.mil or by phone at (703) 692-4704. 8. Contact Master Chief Gray directly for the submission process. 9. Request widest dissemination. 10. Released by RDML J. A. Robinson, Chief of Information.// BT #0001 NNNN CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED/