Eugene Lucas spent about a decade working inside the Department of Veterans Affairs, treating veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder from conflicts spanning Vietnam through Iraq and Afghanistan. In a recent interview with Military.com otherwise focused on emerging GLP-1 research and alcohol use disorder, Lucas, a psychiatric nurse practitioner who is now associate professor and coordinator of the Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program at Wilkes University, made a clinical observation that stood apart from the rest of the conversation: In his experience, the number of times a veteran deployed to a combat zone tracked closely with how much trauma they carried…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Treasury announced Friday it has imposed sanctions on a Turkish financial institution as part of its latest effort to sever “critical financial lifelines” for the Iranian government. The actions against Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi come nearly a week after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced “Operation Economic Outcast, ” Washington’s new effort to get Tehran to capitulate to its demands after more than six months of war. The department accused the bank and its entities of being established to enable Iran’s efforts to transfer oil revenues from China to Turkey, where they could then…

Former Navy sailor Patrick “Tate” Adamiak was serving a decades-long sentence for weapons possession charges that, based on my own view of the evidence, were completely bogus. He violated no laws that I can see, yet he was in prison with the worst of the worst. Notice, however, that I used the past tense.Now, Adamiak is free and clear thanks to President Donald Trump.Lee Williams at The Gun Writer, who has done more to free Adamiak than anyone, has the story.Former U.S. Navy sailor Patrick “Tate” Adamiak has been pardoned by President Donald J. Trump—effective…

Walking into a military recruiter’s office can feel intimidating, but taking that first meeting doesn’t mean you’re signing your life away. Recruiters are there to answer your questions and help you navigate the complex enlistment process; not to force you into a decision on day one. Whether you want to secure a specific job, negotiate an enlistment bonus, or pick your duty station, preparation is everything. These 10 essential tips will give you full control over your meeting so you can ask the right questions and walk away with a contract that aligns with your goals. Tips for Visiting your…

I don’t like the idea of a weapon needing to be “in common use” before a government is barred from trying to ban something. This means that a particularly quick legislature might ban some new weapon before it can gain sufficient popularity to be commonly owned, which is troubling on so many levels. While we might not see it in our day and age, the future holds many mysteries, including what weapons technology will look like. But for now, “in common use” is the standard.And a new report is bound to dash the hopes of…

VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of deceased service members or veterans. Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) is a monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of certain deceased veterans. 2027 Rates The Department of Veterans Affairs will announce new rates that will take effect Dec. 1, 2026. The rates were not posted yet as of Sept. 4, 2026. Monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Rates For 2026, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is paid to a surviving spouse at the monthly rate of $1,699.36. Additional DIC Allowances Add $360.85 if, at the time of…

Survivors receive a one-time, tax-free payment of $100,000. The death gratuity is a one-time, tax-free payment to survivors to help with financial hardships due to the death of a service member. How Much Is the Death Gratuity? A payment of $100,000 is payable to survivors. The death gratuity is tax-free from federal and state income taxes. Who Is Covered By the Death Gratuity? The death gratuity is payable to survivors of those who died under the following conditions: A member who dies while on active duty or while on authorized travel A reservist who dies while on inactive duty training…

Police have accused a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) worker of stealing more than 7,500 doses of opioids prescribed by the Veterans Affairs program. The Greensboro Police Department in North Carolina said in a Sept. 3 press release that the 22-year-old worker, Martez Murphy, stole more than 50 VA prescriptions for opioids between July and September this year. The prescriptions amounted to over 7,500 doses. Police said they arrested Murphy at his home. “Following a lengthy investigation, and with the assistance of U.S. Postal Service personnel, Martez Murphy was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 2, and a search warrant was executed at his…

Civilizational Comeback It was the culmination of close to 30 years of an international liberal order coming apart. The first mistake was when the American public voted into office Bill Clinton, rather than George Bush, the father. This choice proved the public has pivoted towards something fresh, something new, instead of proven traditional American leadership. Bush represented the CIA, the U.N. and the Cold War, which the U.S. had won, but he also represented carrying a heavy load, living in fear of atomic weapons and sending troops abroad to stop the spread of communism. Americans wanted to turn the page…

Most people who joined the military after 2001 have never known a Department of Defense structured the way it was Sept. 10 of that year. The combatant command responsible for defending the U.S. homeland didn’t exist. Airport security was run by private contractors, not a federal workforce. Special operations forces numbered in the tens of thousands rather than the tens of thousands more they field today. Twenty-five years later, the institutional scaffolding built in direct response to that morning is still the scaffolding most service members serve inside, regardless of whether they recognize its origin. A New Command — Built…

Veterans of civil rights groups are among those intended to safeguard polling places against voter intimidation in several states during November’s midterm elections. The elections are critical as they may upset the balance of power in Congress. Some Democrats have expressed concerns that President Donald Trump’s administration could use troops or other instruments of the federal government—like U.S. Immigration and Customes Enforcement, or ICE, agents—to intimidate voters and interfere in the results of the elections. Republican lawmakers have pushed legislation in Congress like the SAVE Act to, as they claim, protect the electoral process from non-citizen votes that could impact…

If you are a veteran, active-duty service member, or surviving spouse looking to refinance your mortgage, the Department of Veterans Affairs offers two powerful options: the VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) and the VA Cash-Out Refinance. Both programs provide significant advantages over conventional loans, including competitive rates, zero mortgage insurance, and flexible qualification guidelines. However, each program serves a distinct financial purpose. Here is a breakdown to help you decide which loan fits your goals and how to get started today. Understanding Your VA Refinance Options Whether your priority is lowering your monthly payment with minimal effort or…