Hegseth: ‘We Have Only Just Begun’
“Four days in, we have only just begun to fight,” DefSec Hegseth said Wednesday about the US-Israel bombing in Iran. “The only limits we have in this is President Trump’s desire to achieve specific effects on behalf of the American people.”
Vets’ Jobless Rate Worsens
Unemployment rates jumped for all veterans in January, up to 4.5% from 3.8% in December. Vets in the post-9/11 generation saw unemployment rise from 5.1% to 5.8%. Military Times. The monthly report jobless rates for veterans exceeding the general population for the second time since January 2025.
Pax to Monitor Sonic Booms
Pax River will be installing a sonic boom noise monitoring system for test flights over Chesapeake Bay for experts to study supersonic flight tests and reduce their noise impacts in the restricted airspace over the watershed.
Coast Guard Also Gets Pay During Shutdown
In a politically charged statement DHS SEC Kristi Noem announced she had allocated funds for the US Coast Guard — the only military service not under the DoD budget –to continue to get paid during the government shutdown, the same as the other services.
Hegseth Seeks Government Housing; Faces Questions
DefSec Pete Hegseth wants $137,000 to repair a government-provided home, prompting Democrats to ask why he needs the government-provided home, why it needs to be improved, and how much he plans to pay in rent. When the query was reported by Fox News, Hegseth called a former colleague a “Trump hater” and reporting “fake news.”
Hegseth Sworn-In as New DefSec
Pete Hegseth was confirmed as defense secretary Friday night after a 51-50 vote, reports The Washington Post. Vice President J.D. Vance cast the vote to break the Senate’s 50-50 vote.
NSC Staffers’ Politics Questioned
Trump administration officials have begun questioning career civil servants who work on the White House National Security Council about who they voted for in the 2024 election, their political contributions, and about their social media posts. Trump’s pick for national security adviser, Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, indicated his intention to ensure the council is staffed with those who support Trump’s agenda.
Pax Joins Pilot Program on Expanding Commissary Benefit
The NAS Patuxent River commissary is participating in a US Department of Defense 120-day pilot program to test the feasibility of expanding the commissary benefit to DoD civilians at all stateside commissaries.
Women in Combat Debate Reignites
President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has reignited a debate that many thought had been long settled: Should women be allowed to serve their country by fighting on the front lines?
