On this day, we solemnly honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield and those who bore the enduring pain and struggles of their service, both during and after their active duty. We remember them with gratitude and reverence. I hope you're having a safe Memorial Day Weekend.

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

Faith and Authority: Hegseth Launches Evangelical Prayer Services at the Pentagon with Tennessee Pastor Advocating Male Leadership - The defense secretary's personal pastor hails from a Tennessee church known for its history of promoting male-led Christian authority within society.

VA's Secret Shuffle: Redirecting Funds from Canceled Contracts While Congress Remains in the Dark - The Department of Veterans Affairs is reallocating funds from canceled contracts to different accounts, despite not fully disclosing which contracts have been terminated.

Urgent Overhaul: Hegseth Responds to Privatization Woes in Household Goods Shipments - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a directive addressing recent problems with a contract aimed at privatizing the Pentagon's moving process.

Cloud Dreams Dashed: Navy's Single Server Saga and the Fight for Modern HR Systems - The Navy has faced ongoing challenges in modernizing its essential human resources computer systems, which are crucial for managing tasks such as pay and promotions. This effort has been ongoing for several years and highlights the importance of upgrading these critical systems.

Operation Celebration: Army Unveils Logistics for Soldiers at D.C.'s Grand 250th Birthday Parade - Next month, thousands of soldiers arriving in Washington, D.C., for the Army's 250th birthday celebrations will stay in cots, primarily eat MREs with hot dinners, and shower in contracted trailers, all as part of a multimillion-dollar event.

Iveco Defence on the Block: Italy Faces a Strategic Dilemma Over Military Supplier's Future - Iveco Defence Vehicles, Italy's largest military vehicle manufacturer, may be sold overseas despite potential government intervention. Various global firms, including Leonardo and Rheinmetall, have expressed interest. The Italian government may consider using the 'Golden Power' law to control the sale, but its applicability is uncertain.

Transforming the Troops: Major Cuts and Innovations Shaping the Army's Future for Modern Warfare - The service aims to enhance efficiency and invest in essential emerging technologies to prepare for modern conflicts, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

Pentagon Secures Boeing 747 from Qatar for Presidential Use: Ensuring Top-Notch Security for Trump - The Defense Department will implement necessary security measures for aircraft designated for presidential use, according to Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell.

Sky Warfare Revolution: FPV Drone Downs Mi-17 in Myanmar's Jungle Battlefield - Ukrainian drone tactics are reportedly being used by Myanmar’s Kachin Independence Army (KIA) to target government helicopters. They claimed responsibility for downing an Mi-17 helicopter, which the military attributed to mechanical failure. The incident highlights the growing vulnerability of helicopters to lower-end drones in combat zones.

Unveiling the Veil: The Elusive RAT55 737 Surfaces for a Mysterious Mission - RAT55, a U.S. Air Force radar measurement aircraft, made a rare trip across the U.S., stopping in Arkansas and Texas. Its visit, possibly for refueling, was unusual as it's typically used in secretive operations. The aircraft plays a crucial role in validating stealth technology for military programs.

Navigating the Future: French Navy Chief Calls for Consolidation Amidst Europe's Shipyard Overload - French Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Nicolas Vaujour stated that Europe has too many naval shipyards, suggesting consolidation to improve export competitiveness. He noted the Naviris joint venture between Fincantieri and Naval Group has fallen short. Divergent strategies between France and Italy complicate this consolidation effort, impacting ship design and economic models.

North Korea's Seaside Lemon - North Korea’s latest frigate, the second of its class following the Choi Hyon, was significantly damaged during a failed launch in Chongjin, as seen in satellite imagery showing the vessel capsized next to the dock. Kim Jong Un labeled the incident a “criminal act” due to inexperienced command and operational errors, including a detached launching sled and hull rupture, and demanded severe punishment for those responsible at a June Party meeting. He also called for the ship’s restoration before the meeting, an ambitious timeline given the extensive damage. The frigate, part of a prestigious naval program, features 74 vertical launch system cells for various missiles. The incident, confirmed by North Korea’s state media, highlights risks in the rapid construction of these advanced warships at a shipyard inexperienced with such vessels, potentially delaying Kim’s vision for a blue-water navy.

Empowering Defense: Revolutionizing Mission-Ready Communications with Multi-Orbit, Multi-Network Innovations - The defense landscape is increasingly interconnected due to emerging technologies, stressing traditional infrastructures. Enhanced communication capabilities through multi-orbit, multi-network systems are essential for improving defense operations and adapting to this complexity.

Navy Petty Officer Arrested in Disturbing Child Exploitation and Torture Case Linked to Extremist Group - Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Rumaldo Valdez is accused of being part of a group linked to an ideological extremist organization that targeted children online.

Army Investigation Launched After Blank Rounds Fired by Soldiers at Florida Boaters During Pirate Festival Incident - Fort Walton Beach officials report that an incident occurred on May 16, following the participation of the 6th Ranger Training Battalion at Camp Rudder in the Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival.

NC Nurse Champions Veterans' Health Care Amid Looming Trump Administration VA Staff Cuts - The Trump administration plans to reduce the Veterans Affairs workforce by 15%, aiming to return staffing levels to those of 2019, prior to the impacts of COVID-19 and the PACT Act.

Final Farewell: WWII Bomber Crash Claims 11 Lives, 4 Heroes Finally Return Home Amidst Emotional Tributes - Over 200 people paid tribute to Staff Sgt. Eugene Darrigan during a procession to the church and a graveside ceremony, some waving flags and others saluting, despite the cloudy weather.

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.

If you enjoyed this content, please follow me on Social Media and consider sharing this content with your friends! I hope you have a great day tomorrow! - Karl Bullock "That Smoke Pit Veteran"

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Email: Karl.Bullock@ThatSmokePit.VET