Author: Braxton Taylor
It’s been nearly four months since Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth fired the chief of naval operations and several other military officials, and only one position—the chairman of the Joint Chiefs—has been replaced with a Senate-confirmed officer. Thursday, several lawmakers asked Hegseth why it’s taking so long, and why they were fired in the first place.“In due time and for all the right reasons,” Hegseth said when asked specifically about the CNO role during a House Armed Services Committee hearing. It was the first time in a public setting that the defense secretary has taken questions on the decisions to not only…
Dear Dr. Emma, our youngest son has been in the US Marine Corps for 20 years and plans to retire at 30. He has gradually decreased communication with us. For the last several years, he only called on our anniversary, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Christmas. He offers very little regarding what is going on in his life both personally and professionally. When we call, we get a ‘what do you want’ attitude, and the past year we decided to stop calling him. It’s much the same with email or texting, even when visiting him. We have tried a…
The Pentagon wants to spend more than 20 percent more next year to research, develop, test and evaluate new technologies—but that increase would come from the Trump administration’s massive tax and budget reconciliation bill, leaving funding levels flat if Congress doesn’t pass it. And a lot of drone spending will likely hinge on that one-time funding. The Defense Department quietly delivered its budget proposal documents to Congress on Tuesday with proposed spending for 2026: $142 billion for what is commonly referred to as RDT&E, plus $37.1 billion in the unusual addition of money that programs would get if the “One, Big…
Serving in the military comes with financial perks such as special duty pays, bonuses and tax-free income while serving in combat zones. When that extra money is coming in, it can feel like a mini lottery victory, but if you don’t have a plan for your extra pay, it can disappear fast, with nothing to show for it at the end of your service.The key is to use your bonus or extra pay to build a stronger, more stable financial future — one that can withstand the constant changes of military life and financially prepare you for life after service.Here…
Oklahoma has seen an increase in mountain lion sightings in recent years. Now, photos have led the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODFW) to confirm the “first instances of possible reproduction of mountain lions within the state” in the agency’s history.According to a press release, two separate lions were found with kittens in different parts of the state. In October 2024, an adult mountain lion was recorded with two half-grown kittens in Osage County. Then, in December 2024, a different lion was captured in photos with three small kittens in Cimarron County. Both counties are on the northern edge of…
Derya has just announced the launch of its new Turkish-made Melik Gold 9mm pistol, a full-size pistol based on the classic locking–block Beretta 92 design. Like the original Beretta 92, the new Derya Melik Gold 9mm pistol includes a locking-block action, but also the traditional Beretta-pattern open-top slide. Unlike a regular Beretta or similar clones, this model has an eye-catching, nickel-plated surface finish along with trove gold polished PVC accent pieces including the barrel, rear sight, takedown lever, trigger, decocker/safety and magazine catch. “We are honored to unveil the Melik Gold 9mm, a testament to Derya’s dedication to artistry and…
Texas based Bond Arms, known for its modern derringer designs, has just announced the launch of the new First Lady derringer, a special-edition firearm that will be made in limited quantities. Following the launch of the Bond Arms DT47, the over-under model that Bond Arms launched last year to commemorate the second term of President Donald Trump, Bond Arms is now doing something similar with the new First Lady derringer. The right side of the derringer features a laser-engraved profile of First Lady Melania Trump wearing the iconic hat that the nation witnessed back in January 20, 2025 during President…
Will Israel attack Iran soon? CBS News reported the possibility Wednesday, just a few short days before the next U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations are set to take place in Oman on Sunday.America’s diplomats and its top military officer in the Middle East seem to suspect an attack is possible, “with the State Department authorizing the evacuation of some personnel in Iraq and the Pentagon green-lighting the departure of military family members across the Middle East,” the Washington Post reported Wednesday evening. Central Command’s Gen. Erik Kurilla even postponed congressional testimony set for Thursday, citing new tensions in the Middle East, according to…
House Republicans are on track to allow job cuts at the Pentagon and Department of Veterans Affairs to proceed in the annual spending bills for each department.The House Appropriations Committee’s fiscal 2026 defense appropriations bill includes a cut to civilian personnel funds that Republicans said accounts for the Pentagon’s plan to slash about 45,000 civilian jobs. The full committee is debating the bill Thursday after it was advanced out of the defense subcommittee earlier this week.Meanwhile, at a full committee debate Tuesday night about the fiscal 2026 VA appropriations bill, Republicans rejected a Democratic amendment that would have pumped the…
It’s deja vu all over again.A mere three weeks after hunters, anglers, and conservationists successfully defeated a provision in the U.S. House that would have sold 500,000 acres of public land, an even worse amendment was added to the Senate version of the “one, big, beautiful budget bill.”Spearheaded by Utah Senator Mike Lee, a longtime opponent of federal public land, the Senate selloff could put as many as 3 million acres on the auction block.“As a hunter, angler, and father of two young boys, I am immensely disappointed in the news coming out of Washington, D.C. this week,” said MeatEater’s…