It looks extremely weird seeing these uniforms on Social Media... These newly enlisted service members having no ribbons is peak wild. I bet they envy those with the Firewatch Ribbon right about now.

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

Trump Grants Pardon to Army Officer Who Stood Against COVID Restrictions: A Stand for Freedom or Defiance? - President Trump pardoned former Army officer Mark Bashaw, convicted in 2022 for disobeying COVID-19 safety measures. Bashaw, who refused to telework and wear a mask, thanked Trump publicly for the pardon, which erases his criminal record. This act is part of a broader effort to address military pandemic violations.

Stonewalling at the Pentagon: Sen. Blumenthal Takes a Stand Against VA & DOD Leadership - Sen. Richard Blumenthal expresses growing frustration with the Pentagon and VA's lack of responsiveness to information requests, marking a significant shift in their relationship. He critiques VA Secretary Doug Collins' planned staff cuts and contract cancellations while advocating for accountability and thoughtful reforms, countering claims that he supports the status quo.

Pentagon Halts AN/TPY-6 Radar Development, Reassesses Guam's Missile Defense Strategy Amid Rising Threats - The Pentagon halted the AN/TPY-6 radar’s development for Guam's defense against air and missile threats. Instead, it will use existing systems while planning future upgrades. Development will include various technologies from the Army and Navy, aiming for a complete defense architecture by 2029, incorporating advanced tracking capabilities.

Ukraine on the Brink: Security Council Confronts Dwindling Hopes for Peace Amid Escalating Russian Assaults - UN officials reported to the Security Council that recent Russian attacks in Ukraine have overshadowed hopes for peace, leading to increased civilian casualties and a worsening humanitarian crisis, which may hinder diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

Macron Warns: Allowing Russia to Claim Ukrainian Land Could Trigger a Crisis in Taiwan - During the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, French President Emmanuel Macron warned that yielding to Russia's demands in Ukraine would undermine Western credibility globally, including in the Indo-Pacific. He urged China to prevent North Korea from supporting Russia and maintained NATO should avoid involvement in regional rivalries.

China's AI Ambitions: Unveiling the Strategy Behind Advanced Data Centers on Earth and Beyond - Beijing's campaign to dominate artificial intelligence centers on advanced data centers both on Earth and in orbit, highlighting their strategic focus on technology and data infrastructure. The report underscores China's ambition in the AI sector.

Streamlining Strategy: Hegseth's Bold Memo to Rein in IT Consulting Costs at the Pentagon - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's memo restricts the Pentagon's use of IT consulting contracts, emphasizing in-sourcing expertise to improve efficiency. New guidelines require justification for outsourcing, with exceptions for certain contracts. Concerns remain over the feasibility of in-sourcing, especially regarding recent $5 billion contract cancellations. A review process for contracts is also implemented.

Empowering Cyber Warriors: The DoD's Call for Real-World Practitioners in Cybersecurity Training - Participants in Cyber Shield's "NetWars" games demonstrate hands-on cybersecurity skills training at Virginia Beach. Challenges in cybersecurity within the DoD are addressed by the DoD 8140 directive, which regulates roles and training. Pluralsight offers accredited programs, emphasizing practical, hands-on experience to meet evolving cybersecurity demands and support workforce development.

AFRICOM Chief Sounds Alarm: China Aims to Mirror U.S. Military Engagement as Washington Redefines Its Role in Africa - During African Lion 2025 in Morocco, Gen. Michael Langley highlighted U.S. efforts to promote African self-reliance amid a backdrop of reduced aid. He noted China's increasing military engagement in Africa, seeking to replicate U.S. programs. Langley urged African nations to collaborate for regional security amid escalating terrorism in the Sahel.

Lockheed Martin Aims for the Future: Enhanced Stealth and Unmanned Innovations on the Horizon for F-35 - Lockheed Martin is enhancing the F-35 with sixth-generation technology, including improved stealth, new weapons, and potential unmanned options. CEO Jim Taiclet anticipates capabilities will be ready in two to three years, aiming to achieve 80% of Next-Generation Air Dominance fighter capabilities at half the cost while integrating with other systems.

Trump Proposes Game-Changing F-47 Stealth Fighter to Japan Amidst Rising Defense Concerns - U.S. President Donald Trump proposed Boeing's F-47 stealth fighter to Japan during discussions with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Japan is also contemplating additional F-35 purchases amid delays in its Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) development. Concerns about timely military capabilities may push Japan to consider alternatives for its defense needs.

F-15E Strike Eagle Unleashes Drone-Destroying Laser-Guided Rockets in Middle East Showdown - A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle has been spotted in the Middle East, equipped with a powerful loadout including laser-guided APKWS II rockets and air-to-air missiles. This configuration enhances its capacity to counter drones and cruise missiles, offering significant firepower during operations. The aircraft is linked to ongoing air defense efforts.

Taiwan's Maritime Awakening: Major Drone Boat Capability Test Amid Rising Threats - Taiwan's military leaders are set to demonstrate uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) on June 17 and 18 to enhance maritime drone production amid rising threats from China. This two-day event aims to inform military procurement and bolster Taiwan's naval defense capabilities, reflecting urgency in response to regional security challenges.

China's Stealthy Shijian-26 Satellite Soars: Long March 4B Rocket's Ninth Launch of the Month - China successfully launched the classified Shijian-26 spacecraft into orbit using a Long March 4B rocket, marking its ninth launch of the month.

Rocket Lab Aims for Prime Defense Contractor Status Through Strategic Acquisitions: 'We're Just Getting Started,' Says CEO Peter Beck - Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck emphasized the company's ongoing efforts to achieve prime defense contractor status through strategic acquisitions, as reported by SpaceNews.

Sailing into the Future: U.S. Navy Equips Five Ships with Cutting-Edge Augmented Reality Maintenance Systems - Five U.S. Navy ships have implemented Augmented Reality Maintenance Systems (ARMS) to enable remote troubleshooting by technicians. This technology allows sailors to access guidance and manuals while resolving issues, promoting self-sufficiency. The initiative aligns with the Pentagon's efforts to reduce costs and enhance digital integration within the Navy.

Beyond Transactions: How America's Allies Can Forge a New Era for Its Defense Industrial Base - The text discusses the need for the Trump administration to enhance defense cooperation with allies like Australia, India, Japan, and South Korea amid increasing Chinese threats. It emphasizes the importance of reforms in Pentagon policies to facilitate joint development and production of military capabilities, fostering shared contributions to collective security.

Homeless Veterans' Advocates on Edge: Navigating Proposed VA Program Overhauls - Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins announced reforms for homeless veterans at a conference, emphasizing a commitment to finding housing while addressing advocates' skepticism about potential funding cuts. Despite progress in reducing homelessness, proposed changes could disrupt established programs, raising concerns about future support and resource availability for community outreach efforts.

Pentagon's Bold Move: Shutting Down Vital Defense Advisory Boards, Including DACOWITS, in Major Purge - The Pentagon plans to terminate 14 defense advisory groups, including the 74-year-old Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, after a 45-day review. This cut represents one-third of all advisory boards, prompting concerns from Congress about the potential impact on military readiness and diversity efforts.

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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