C. Todd Lopez

1 week ago | defense.gov | C. Todd Lopez

The Defense Department released a new report to Congress showing the number of both fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses among service members dropped by more than 40% from 2021 to 2023.   The report also shows that such overdoses are significantly lower within the military than among the broader civilian population. During the five years covered in the report — calendar years 2019 through 2023 — the fatal overdose rate for service members averaged about 4.4 out of 100,000 service members.

1 week ago | 256today.com | C. Todd Lopez

WASHINGTON — Worldwide threats put the U.S. at risk and sometimes demand attention from U.S. Special Operations Command. To best meet those challenges, U.S. military acquisition needs to change, said Army Gen. Bryan P. Fenton, Socom commander. “The character of war is changing faster than we’ve ever seen,” he said today before the House Armed Services Committee’s intelligence and special operations subcommittee. “The innovation cycle now turns in days and weeks, not months and years.

2 weeks ago | defense.gov | C. Todd Lopez

Earlier this week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Panama to talk about, among other things, U.S. access to the Panama Canal and ridding the canal of China's influence. "Secretary Hegseth traveled to Panama this week and delivered huge wins for the Trump administration and the American people," said Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell during the Weekly Sitrep video, which highlights department activities each week.

2 weeks ago | defense.gov | C. Todd Lopez

The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force met their contracting goals for new recruits last year and expect to do so again this year. At the same time, military personnel leaders said they are undergoing transformations with an eye toward lethality. "Our Army can provide combat power anywhere in the world to protect American and allied interests," said Army Lt. Gen. Brian S. Eifler, deputy chief of staff for personnel.

2 weeks ago | defense.gov | C. Todd Lopez

The Navy wants to be able to build one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines a year and eventually expand that to 2.33 Virginia-class subs a year. At the same time, the Navy is working on getting more Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers into the fleet. During a hearing yesterday before the Senate Armed Services Committee's seapower subcommittee, Navy leaders explained that the industrial base that manufactures those platforms will need a boost to begin production.