Ayla McBreen

Jul 25, 2023 | cnas.org | Stewart Latwin |Ayla McBreen |Taren Sylvester |Brandon Archuleta

From the Civil War to the global war on terrorism, Californians have a long and proud history of coming to the nation’s defense in times of conflict. Indeed, California is home to more active-duty troops and veterans than any other state in the union. Yet the Golden State is hemorrhaging military retirees, and has been for years, because California is the only state in the Union that fully taxes military pensions.

Jul 19, 2023 | cnas.org | Ayla McBreen |Taren Sylvester

The Future Soldier Preparatory Course launched in August 2022 amid a recruiting struggle across all services. The course is designed to take would-be soldiers who were not qualified — either academically or physically — and put them through an intense course to meet those minimum standards of service.

Jul 19, 2023 | stripes.com | Ayla McBreen

Airmen lift their right hand as they repeat the oath of enlistment at the Air Force Basic Training graduation ceremony, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Aug. 19, 2011. (Vernon Young Jr./U.S. Air Force) Fifty years ago this month, the U.S. switched from a mixed military system, where the military was composed of both volunteers and draftees, to an all-volunteer force.

Jul 3, 2023 | cnas.org | Taren Sylvester |Kyleanne Hunter |Ayla McBreen

Fifty years ago this month, the U.S. switched from a mixed military system, where the military was composed of both volunteers and draftees, to an all-volunteer force. In the intervening decades, the military has become detached from the American public with a proto-warrior class forming of generations of military families who serve.

Jun 9, 2023 | cnas.org | Katherine L. Kuzminski |Ayla McBreen |Taren Sylvester

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:Section 1. Policy. Military-connected families are American working families.