The chronic aches from active service remains even after years of EAS. It doesn't get better, and the grass isn't as green. But on the bright side, I don't have to lay in the grass anymore. But, back on the chronic aches - every branch has this, except the Air Force - they get carpal tunnel and numb legs.

Alright, enough of the BS - Let's smoke straight to the butt of these headlines.

House Approves GOP's 'Big Beautiful' Bill: $8.5 Billion Military Quality-of-Life Boost Set to Elevate Service Member Well-Being - Pentagon funding aims to enhance barracks maintenance, military healthcare, and other critical sectors, significantly improving the overall well-being of service members.

Pyongyang Warns: Trump’s Golden Dome Could Ignite 'Space Nuclear War - North Korea condemned President Donald Trump's proposal for a Golden Dome missile-defense system, which aims to protect against threats from adversaries such as Pyongyang.

Urgent Plea: UN Demands Surge of Aid for Gaza as Controversial Israeli Distribution Plan Kicks Off - Israel's aid distribution plan in Gaza has commenced, despite controversy. The United Nations urged Israeli authorities for an "immediate surge" in supplies to the region to avert starvation.

Navigating Complexity: The 5% NATO Spending Pledge Faces Significant Hurdles Ahead of Summit - As NATO leaders prepare for the summit, a proposed spending increase to 5% GDP, led by NATO chief Mark Rutte, faces significant challenges. Many countries struggle to meet even the current 2% target, raising concerns about economic feasibility and the potential impact on defense priorities amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.

Army Emergency Relief Goes Digital: Streamlined Online Portal Revolutionizes Financial Assistance for Soldiers and Families - Army Emergency Relief has introduced an online portal enabling soldiers and their families to apply for support remotely, eliminating the need for in-person visits. This digital upgrade enhances the accessibility and speed of aid for service members and their families.

Marching into History: Army Reveals Plans for Soldiers at D.C. Parade with Cots, MREs, and Celebratory Perks! - Thousands of soldiers will travel to Washington, D.C. for the Army's 250th birthday festivities, where they will sleep on cots, primarily eat MREs with hot dinners, and shower in contracted trailers, all part of a multimillion-dollar budget.

Russia Captures Ukrainian Border Villages Amidst Intensified Bombing Campaign: A Strategic Move for a Buffer Zone - Russian forces captured four border villages in Ukraine's northeastern Sumy region, according to a local official. This action follows President Vladimir Putin's recent directive to create a buffer zone along the border.

Sky Guardians: Cutting-Edge Anti-Drone Technologies Combat Rising Aerial Threats - Growing worries over drone misuse have prompted the creation of innovative technologies aimed at countering unmanned aerial vehicles.

Unmanned Revolution: French Navy's Bold Drone Assault on Coastal Warfare - The French Navy is increasing drone usage in maritime operations, utilizing unmanned systems for an amphibious exercise in March. While drones enhance surveillance and combat capabilities, they cannot fully replace traditional military methods or provide the same power projection as aircraft carriers. The Navy aims to integrate AI into future operations.

North Korea's High-Stakes Accountability: Four Officials Detained Following Naval Destroyer Launch Failure - North Korean authorities have detained four officials following a failed naval destroyer launch, which leader Kim Jong Un attributed to criminal negligence, according to state media reports.

Bridging the Danger: 150 Years of Maritime Mishaps at the Brooklyn Bridge - A collision between a Mexican navy tall ship and the Brooklyn Bridge underscores a long-standing concern for seafarers, highlighting hazards that have persisted for nearly 150 years.

Countdown to the Stars: Hundreds of Full-Time Air Force Reservists Set to Transition to Space Force Amid Ongoing Delays - After delays, hundreds of full-time Air Force reservists are set to join the Space Force this year, but plans for their part-time counterparts are still being developed.

Biden's Space Command Standoff: Political Ploy or Strategic Necessity? - In 2023, President Joe Biden opted to keep the U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, despite recommendations to relocate it to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The decision followed a Defense Department inspector general report highlighting cost savings of $462 million for the Alabama move, as recommended by then-Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. However, SPACECOM leadership, led by Gen. James Dickinson, argued that moving would delay operational readiness by three to four years and risk losing over half of the civilian staff unwilling to relocate. Critics, including Rep. Mike Rogers, claimed Colorado faced manpower shortages, with over 300 unfilled jobs, and accused Biden of political motives. Others, like Rep. Doug Crank, argued that Colorado’s existing infrastructure negated the need for costly new construction, potentially saving taxpayers $2 billion. Despite warnings from GOP representatives about readiness risks, Rogers predicted President Trump would designate Alabama as SPACECOM’s permanent home, citing no national security concerns and the need for a secure, centralized facility.

Unveiling the Atrocities: Autopsies Reveal a Systematic Brutality Behind the Deaths of Over 200 Ukrainian POWs in Russian Prisons - Since Russia's full-scale invasion three years ago, over 200 Ukrainian prisoners of war have died in Russian facilities.

Echoes of Terror: The Resurgence of Boko Haram and Nigeria's Military Struggle to Maintain Control - Boko Haram attacks are increasing in Nigeria's northeast, with militants overrunning military posts and targeting civilians since the start of the year. These incidents have raised concerns about a possible return to the heightened insecurity experienced during the peak Boko Haram era, despite military claims of ongoing successes.

Strategic Insights: RAND Unveils Lessons from Ukraine for Future US Conflicts with China and Russia - A Rand think tank report analyzes lessons from the Ukraine war relevant to future conflicts between the USA, China, and Russia, providing insights for military strategy and policy decisions.

The baseline for these mortgage updates are set to 30 Year Fixed Rate VA Mortgages. Interest rates can further change depending on consumer's credit report, discount points, down payments, entitlements, and more.

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Email: Karl.Bullock@ThatSmokePit.VET