Author: Braxton Taylor

The State Department has moved its Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy to the agency’s Economic Growth office, according to an org chart released as part of a reorganization announced Tuesday.The three-year-old CDP has spearheaded dozens of overseas engagements intended to bring U.S. diplomacy into the digital age, helped to call out China’s hacking of American critical infrastructure, and, as recently as this month, worked on international counter-spyware pacts. It operated under the deputy secretary and was led by Nate Fick until January when he left and Jennifer Bachus was tapped to continue in an acting capacity.In another change, State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research, an intelligence-community office that protects the agency’s top-secret networks and produces insights…

Boeing’s defense unit reported no losses last quarter, returning to profitability after nearly a year. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg credited progress on several of its thorny programs, but cautioned that the Defense, Space & Security unit is not in the clear yet. BDS, which reported a record total of $4.9 billion losses last year, reported no losses in the first quarter of 2025. The company is making progress on the Air Force’s T-7 trainer and VC-25B presidential jets, with Ortberg saying that cost and schedule estimates are “well-contained.” “I’m not claiming victory here yet. We’ve got a lot of work to do…

The Department of Veterans Affairs has established a task force to determine whether “anti-Christian bias” exists within the federal government’s second-largest Cabinet department and is asking its employees to report alleged discrimination by other staff members.The move follows an executive order issued Feb. 6 by President Donald Trump that created a government-wide task force that it claims will “end the anti-Christian weaponization of government.” It was unclear what effects it would have on Christian or non-Christian employees at the VA.The VA task force investigation is among the latest efforts by Trump and his administration to dramatically reshape the federal government.…

China is beginning to restrict exports of rare-earth minerals crucial to U.S. military might—a long-warned-of vulnerability that is becoming an urgent reality.From tungsten in armor-piercing rounds to gallium in radars, the U.S. Defense Department has built a warfighting enterprise with a supply chain that runs straight through China. But recent developments threaten the Pentagon’s ability to maintain that enterprise.In early April, Beijing imposed sweeping export controls on seven rare earth elements used in everything from laser-guided weapons to MRI machines. The newly restricted elements—samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium—require a government-issued license for export, with Chinese officials citing…

Mendoza Firearms, a Mexican gunmaker that has been in business for more than a century, is now importing its Mendoza RM 22 rifle into the United States. The Mendoza RM 22 isn’t exactly a brand new 2025 product, as it’s based on the Swiss-made Hammerli SA22 design. The Mendoza RM 22 is a tube-fed semi-automatic rimfire .22LR carbine that’s available in three configurations, the RM-22 1000, RM-22 3000 and RM-22 6000. Each of these variants can be had in several different rifle stock options, both wooden and synthetic. While the actions are all the same, the primary difference between these…

Mental toughness has been a long-standing topic for generations, both within and outside the military. Whether it’s years of training or a simple mindset you’re born with, we all have stories of how we progressed to becoming more mentally tough. Here is a question from a Marine pondering whether we are born with mental toughness or if we develop it without even knowing:Stew, I am a Marine and feel like my physical and mental toughness have improved over the last five years of service. I always thought we were either born with toughness or not. I think differently and feel…

Firearms competition is more than a sport—it’s a path to real readiness. It builds shooting skills, mental toughness, fitness, and stress control. Whether you’re new or experienced, it’s one of the best ways to grow under pressure and sharpen your edge. Built for Readiness: Part 1 Stepping into the world of firearms competition, or a new competition format if you already shoot competition, can feel daunting. The gear, the rules, the pressure. It’s a lot to take in. Let’s be real. No one wants to suck at something, especially with people watching and it involves a skill as serious as…

A new way to make large ultrathin infrared sensors that don’t need cryogenic cooling could radically change night vision for the military or even autonomous vehicles. Night vision (thermal) is clunky, power-intensive, and requires cooling components that could be hard to get, especially in the event of a conflict with China. But the U.S. Air Force, Army, and special operations forces have growing needs for night-vision, as do next-generation autonomous vehicle makers. In a study published today in Nature, researcher Jeehwan Kim of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, along with collaborators from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Seoul National…

With convenience and common sense in mind, Aguila Ammunition is now selling its 55-grain full metal jacket 5.56 NATO rifle cartridges in packaging and boxes with 30 total cartridges. The standard magazine capacity for AR-15 pattern firearms and many others that chamber and fire 5.56 NATO rifle cartridges. “We’re always looking for ways to make things easier for our users, and this packaging concept just makes sense,” said Marketing Director of Aguila Ammunition. “Our goal is to deliver high-quality, reliable ammunition while improving the overall shooter experience. With the introduction of this 30-round box, we’ve made a solution that’s both…

Welcome to Ask Lacey, an advice column in which accredited financial counselor and MilMo founder Lacey Langford answers your pressing financial questions. Have a question for Lacey? Submit it here. Q: Do any programs offer cheap auto insurance?Yes, some programs can help you get cheaper auto insurance, especially if you qualify for specific discounts. Car insurance is expensive, so I understand wanting to find the best deal possible. It’s doable but requires a little homework. Many programs and options can help you save money. Some programs are based on your background, driving record or income. The best way to find a…