GRAB A CUP OF JOE AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.19.14 >>>

VA scandal hits new hospital.

President Obama and Congress are moving quickly to respond to a growing political firestorm over VA patient care allegations.

The international outcry over the abductions of Nigerian schoolgirls added to the growing list of challenges faced by AFRICOM.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey plans to push his NATO counterparts to increase security contributions in southern Europe along the Mediterranean.

On high seas, Vietnam and China play tense game.

John Kerry's doctrine: More intervention.

Why the military can't get enough of Amphibious Ready Groups.

Ukraine wants the U.S. to provide it with military body armor, vehicles and reconnaissance equipment left over from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to help it deter Russian forces in the eastern region of the country.

Undersecretary of the Army Brad R. Carson focuses on the service's top modernization priorities: the tactical communications network.

More than 13,000 troops from 24 countries are to take part in the annual "Eager Lion" military exercise in Jordan.

The House ducks on defense.

The high cost of the U.S. Defense Department's weapon programs threatens national security, the head of the Pentagon's advanced research-and-development arm said.

Researchers at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development take protective eyewear into the future.

The Army's capability to project land power grew this week with the induction of the M109A7 self-propelled howitzer and its companion M992A3 carrier ammunition tracked vehicle into low-rate initial production.

JBLM played a part in new Godzilla film.

U.S. Air Force Academy parachute team, Wings of Blue, celebrated 50 years of "standing in the door."

The gay widow of a soldier killed in Afghanistan has received word from the Department of Veterans Affairs that she will receive the same full benefits that heterosexual widows and widowers receive.

How corruption guts militaries: The Ukraine case study.

The British will allow Lockheed Martin's F-35B to make its first flight outside of the United States on July 4 when the country's newest aircraft carrier is christened by Her Majesty the Queen.

A-10 Thunderbolt attack jet lands on German highway.

Exploring the great outdoors from a remote control iPad-bot.

You can make an offer to buy Dracula's castle.

Facebook is building an app to take on Snapchat (again).

Morrissey says his Twitter account is fake.

The Coen brothers have announced their next film.

Watch Arcade Fire's new music video for We Exist.

Finally: When you mix Cruise and Yorke you get Thom Cruise.

What are you going to do today?

LINK: Original photo by Cpl. Adam Miller

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.16.14 >>>

The senior enlisted soldier for 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment has died from wounds suffered in Afghanistan.

The results of a much-anticipated government investigation into charges of scheduling fraud at the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Health Care System will not be out until August.

The House will consider legislation next week to give the Veterans Affairs secretary expanded authority to fire senior executives.

USA Today: VA chief Shinseki has a lot to explain.

There are clear indications that the United States and China are grappling with how to craft a more stable and more intimate set of military to military relationships.

The Pentagon released a report that showed there were nearly 1,400 reported incidents of sexual harassment in 2013.

How the military could kill Godzilla.

Amazing military infographics.

Gen. Keith Alexander: We're at greater risk.

Officials declared that freeing schoolgirls abducted by the radical Islamist group has become a top administration priority.

Recent satellite images show two new North Korean frigates, the largest surface combat ships the nation's navy has constructed in a quarter-century.

The Air Force is a step closer to bedding down its anticipated fleet of KC-46A Pegasus aerial tankers.

Despite a year of workforce furloughs and dwindling budgets, the Defense Department's science and technology enterprise reports advances ranging from a full hypersonic weapon system and high-energy lasers to light-based brain treatments and new core capabilities in cyber warfare.

This footage of the wildfire in San Diego county is absolutely terrifying.

Today's freakout: Fearless daredevils from Eastern Europe.

A new HBO series will showcase the making of the Foo Fighters' next album.

Chad Smith and Will Ferrell talk about their upcoming drum battle.

Morrissey has joined Twitter.

The 16 most badass monsters from the Godzilla movies.

The Flaming Lips' latest project: a cover of the complete Sgt. Pepper album.

Did you catch Blondie on The Daily Show?

Finally: Mad Men/X-Men parody.

Trippy cool ...

LINK: Original photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Chandler

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.15.14 >>>

More than 20 people were killed in Vietnam and a huge foreign steel project set ablaze as anti-China riots spread to the centre of the country.

China-Russia alliance shrouded in mystery.

Meaningful military compensation reform is likely years away.

American, Lithuanian forces begin combines tactical field exercise.

Inside East Ukraine's make-believe republics.

Why hasn't the GOP treated Fort Hood like Benghazi?

Nearly a quarter of the Corps' Spain-based crisis response force has been prepositioned in southern Italy at the request of the State Department to respond more quickly to diplomatic crises that might break out in northern Africa.

An Air Force MC-12 has taken the lead in the hunt for the kidnapped girls in Nigeria.

The U.S., Russia, and China - despite all their other differences - can agree on a basic approach to how to deal with North Korea's nuclear arsenal. The bad news? That approach can't work.

Report: VA not following guidelines on pain drugs.

Sikorsky plans to launch an autonomous version of its Black Hawk helicopter.

Joint IED Defeat Organization launches redesigned IED knowledge portal.

Army Reserve crowns first-ever Best Sapper Team.

Army researchers consider miniature robots to enhance capabilities.

Russia is turning Elon Musk into Tony Stark.

136 years of visual effects evolution in a one-sensory-overload video.

New: Steve Buscemi web series

Bob Dylan has released a new cover of Frank Sinatra's Full Moon & Empty Arms.

Here's the first teaser for The CW's The Flash.

Watch a trailer for Good People, in which James Franco and Kate Hudson find a bunch of cash.

TBS has renewed Conan through 2018.

When rich people install a replica of the Star Trek bridge in their house.

This cat is awesome. ...

LINK: Original photo by Sgt. Benjamin Tuck

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.14.14 >>>

A nightmare group in Syria could target the U.S.

The escalating sanctions war between the U.S. and Russia has claimed its latest victim, with potentially devastating long-term implications for the sole provider of military launch for the US Air Force.

Rockets are raining down on bases in Afghanistan as the Taliban's fighting season begins, and one military officer is taking extra precautions while he dodges the incoming fire.

Urban warfare 2035: The U.S. Army prepares for combat - physical and cyber - in the megacity of the future.

The Pentagon has cleared a nearly $1 billion package of aircraft trainers, surveillance aerostats and up-armored Humvees for the Iraqi military.

The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee will reject a plan approved by its House counterpart to use emergency funding to keep alive the A-10 attack plane.

U.S. Air Force is looking to cut the number of UAV combat air patrols from 65, a number required under Defense Secretary Robert Gates, to 55.

Report: U.S. military needs more drones, not better ones.

A federal judge has tossed out most of the lawsuits filed against the Defense Department over the theft of personal data belonging to 4.9 million Tricare beneficiaries.

Former Sgt. Kyle White became the nation's newest Medal of Honor recipient.

Medal of Honor recipient's former commander recalls his heroism.

A Fort Campbell active duty officer entered a guilty plea to stealing the identity of other soldiers, applying for loans and using the money for his personal benefit.

The country's largest student loan providers will pay out $60 million to U.S. troops and veterans for unfair lending practices under a proposed settlement announced by the Justice and Education departments.

Pentagon is trying to transfer convicted national security leaker Pvt. Chelsea Manning to a civilian prison so she can get treatment for her gender disorder.

Now the military is going to build robots that have morals.

Life after email at DoD.

The world's heaviest-drinking nations, ranked.

Find some comfort and inspiration in these gorgeous personal libraries.

The Harry Potter spinoff trilogy, Fantastic Beasts, arrives in theaters in 2016.

Wedge Antilles has retired to some ranch across the galaxy border.

Wedding anniversary gift exchange ends with the wife giving the best present any man can get: A fully functional Millennium Falcon.

This cute little kid is better at doing yo-yo tricks than you are at doing anything.

Finally: All the most important Batmobiles in one handy chart.

Finally: It's the Game of Thrones characters as cats.

SPOILERS: It doesn't end well. ...

LINK: Original photo by Sgt. Nicolas A. Cloward

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.12.14 >>>

Ukraine rebels claim victory.

Militants carried out a deadly attack on a government building in eastern Afghanistan and fired rockets near Kabul's main airport today as the Taliban began their annual spring offensive.

The Defense Department is calling on Congress to authorize another round of base realignments and closures because of excess capacity that is cutting into funding for troop readiness and other higher priority needs.

U.S. Air Force faces more tough choices in 2016.

Japan to take major step toward collective self-defense.

Cold War 2.0 at Sea.

Brad R. Carson is the Army's new undersecretary.

Slowing the growth of military pay and housing allowances, reducing commissary subsidies and adjusting TRICARE costs will save $31 billion over the next five years and enable readiness to be maintained, said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno.

House lawmakers shot down most of the Pentagon's proposals to cut costs.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says Fort Bragg will need to make adjustments as the military prepares for downsizing.

Hagel: Military should review transgender ban.

Debate grows over proposal for CIA to turn over drones to Pentagon.

Tomorrow's submarines could sink America's Navy.

Sailors drive potent new riverine boat in Persian Gulf.

Army designing next-generation protective mask.

"Arlington at 150" is the theme for sesquicentennial celebrations at Arlington National Cemetery, slated to run from tomorrow to June 16.

Service academy nominations often withheld from public.

The Navy has an e-reader for submarines: The NeRD.

A high-speed robot arm that snatches objects out of mid-air.

Why settle for snake skin boots when you can have the entire snake?

Cool: Jack White and Neil Young are appearing together on The Tonight Show tonight.

Yep: NBC canceled Community.

Parks and Recreation will end next year.

Larry Wilmore will take Stephen Colbert's slot on Comedy Central.

Finally: Eleven Comic-Book Superpowers the World Could Do Without.

Awesome: Mother's Day Game Show.

How Star Wars would be if it were a Tarantino film.

LINK: Original photo by Lance Cpl. Joey Mendez

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.8.14 >>>

The House Armed Services Committee unanimously approved a measure that would authorize just over $600 billion in 2015 U.S. defense spending and block plans to retire the A-10 attack plane.

House panel pulls BRAC from budget.

Powerful factions in Congress are moving to set up an independent commission that would examine the sweeping force structure changes the active duty Army says are necessary.

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee called on U.S. national security officials to report back on the threat posed by Russian satellite monitoring stations.

A U.S. House panel approved provisions restricting the Air Force's ability to retire its E-3 warning aircraft, encouraging the Navy to build two F/A-18E/F Super Hornets each month, and ordering the Pentagon to hand over reams of information.

The House Armed Services Committee approved legislation that prevents the Defense Department from retiring a nuclear aircraft carrier.

The House Armed Services Committee added language to prohibit the department from enforcing the new hair rules.

The House Armed Services panel rejected the Army's plan to transfer the National Guard's Apache attack helicopters to the active side. 

Three crashed drones were launched from North Korea for spying purposes and had been programmed to fly over South Korea.

U.S. Army sends its best tanks to European war game.

Five Chinese weapons of war the U.S. should fear.

Recruiting fraud is "pervasive" across Army, Guard according to a vocal Guard advocacy group.

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki said he would not resign amid charges that the department attempted to hide long wait times for appointments at VA health clinics.

Inside the Army's growing Artic Circle mission.

Researchers just published findings from the first ultra-realistic simulation of our universe's growth. And it covers 13 billion years.

Inside the Boeing capsule that could take you on a space vacation.

Climatologist, author, and former NASA scientist Dr. Roy Spencer offers ten good skeptical arguments against global warming.

Five crowdsourcing projects that defy all logic and reason.

Fox has canceled three comedies: Dads, Enlisted and Surviving Jack.

Big news, Sweathogs: Welcome Back, Kotter: The Complete Series is coming to DVD.

WTF?: Tommy Lee will play drums on the next Smashing Pumpkins album.

Finally: A chart of the most overrated and underrated movies of all time.

It's finals week at the U.S. Naval Academy. ...

LINK: Original photo by 1st Lt. Alun Thomas, 1st ACB, 1st Cav. Div. PAO

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.7.14 >>>

NATO turns to airlift following increased convoy attacks in Pakistan.

Vietnam and China face off in South China Sea.

The commander of U.S. air forces in the Pacific is reporting a significant increase in activities by Russian planes and ships in the region.

Every country will have armed drones in 10 years.

The military's top leaders tried to sell Congress on the pay and benefits changes they proposed in the 2015 defense budget.

A quartet of powerful U.S. senators are warning that anything less than keeping the A-10 fully active in the Air Force is unacceptable.

White House to give senators access to drone assassination memo.

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno talks about the future of the Army and the threats posed by an unstable world.

Pentagon funding for space programs is projected to fall 37 percent over the next four years.

The House Armed Services Committee is opening the door ever so slightly to the possibility of another Base Closure and Realignment Commission.

Bomber-plane budget by U.S. Air Force projected to double.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III: After 23 years of high-tempo operations, the Air Force is in a precarious position.

Army's vice chief of staff Gen. John F. Campbell: Army aviation needs its innovators to stay, despite the fact that funding is down to bare bones.

The Federal Aviation Administration has determined a U-2 spy plane did not cause computers at Los Angles International Airport's control center to crash.

The Army is reclaiming the lost art of jungle warfare, and soldiers who make it through the new 21-day school can earn a tab and big bragging rights.

Picatinny engineers have devised improvements to the packaging of 60 mm smoke and illumination mortars.

Raytheon is making a bold move: it's dumping the proprietary operating system Solaris in favor of Linux for the control systems of its U.S. military drones.

Too Much Free Time: This guy collected 75,000 McDonald's items over 50 years.

Man foils attempted arrest by knowing his rights better than cops.

There's a new Tori Amos song.

Charles Grodin talks about his weirdo doctor role on Louie.

It wasn't all war, war, war in the Galactic Empire, as Malaysian photographer Zahir Batin reminds us with these curious images of Star Wars miniature figures going about their everyday lives.

Finally: Man makes giant 27.5-foot-long space station with 282,000 matchsticks.

Don't forget the tickets ...

LINK: Original photo by Sgt. John Crosby

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.6.14 >>>

Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldier, civilian earn 2014 Secretary of the Army Awards.

House lawmakers released a $521 billion blueprint for the 2015 defense budget that rejects most of the Pentagon's cost-saving proposals.

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee wants to shift billions of dollars from things such as service contracts and museums to Pentagon weapon programs.

House Bill calls for $100 million slash to the annual commissary operating budget, which is two-thirds, over three years.

Iran will target American aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf should a war between the two countries ever break out.

The chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee has drafted legislation that would require the Defense Department to re-write a major military strategy review that was sent to Congress in March.

U.S. signs new lease to keep strategic military installation in the Horn of Africa.

Pentagon pressured to show progress on assaults.

Report: LAX control center's computers crashed while tracking U-2 - the plane, not the band.

The American Legion is demanding the immediate resignation of Veteran Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki and two other top VA leaders.

King Stallion: Newest Marine helicopter gets a royal rollout.

In July, the U.S. Army will make its first big decision on how to proceed with the ambitious, decades-long developmental project to replace up to 4,000 Apache and Black Hawk helicopters by the mid-2030s.

DARPA's Warrior Web project may provide super-human enhancements.

A small study that has shown results using the drug MDMA and conventional therapy to treat PTSD could be of significant value.

Cool: A video that clearly explains the dimensions of the Moon in relation to other things.

It's hard to believe these paintings are not 3D images.

Preview Arcade Fire's new video which stars Andrew Garfield.

Weird:Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig sings the theme for a new Seinfeld-themed video game.

Take a cruise with Wes Anderson, Jason Schwartzman and Tilda Swinton.

Finally: Weird sketches they cut from SNL.

LINK: Original photo by Lance Cpl. Sullivan Laramie

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 5.3.14 >>>

At least 42 people were killed in street battles between supporters and opponents of Russia in southern Ukraine, bringing the country closer to war. 

The Kremlin is receiving "thousands" of calls for assistance from Russian speakers in eastern Ukraine.

The United States has warned its citizens of a plan to attack one of two Sheraton hotels near Lagos, Nigeria's main commercial hub, which so far has been spared by the country's violent Islamist militants.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel urged large NATO nations to step up their defense spending and contributions to the alliance as Russian military movements have shown Europe "still lives in a dangerous world."

What Obama should tell Americans about Ukraine.

Obama vowed to continue using his executive authority whenever possible this year, but Republicans countered that the commander in chief's lack of action on Ukraine hurts the U.S. at home and abroad.

Why American can't contain China.

Army prepares new tack for deploying forces in Pacific.

With lawsuits and mergers, U.S. space market primed for changes.

It took 18 months for Judicial Watch to unearth the emails on Benghazi.

Over the past four years, the Defense Department's logistics agency threw away a significant portion of the spare parts it purchased via a $21-million contract with the manufacturer of Mine-Resistant Ambush-Protected trucks.

The Navy and Raytheon are looking at starting planned Tomahawk missile re-certification and modernization efforts at least one year ahead of the 2019 planned time frame.

Learning more about China's new massive warship plan.

Nine of the 10 Medals of Honor from the Afghanistan war have been earned in Nuristan and Kunar Provinces.

Army (and Boston) Strong: Colonel awarded for heroism at marathon.

Science has finally figured out how to win Rock-Paper-Scissors.

Passenger films one of his airplane's engines on fire.

Make some room on your periodic table, there's a new metal in town.

Don't forget Sunday is Star Wars Day. Why not celebrate with some Chewy cufflinks?

The five best new songs of the week.

Hundreds (if not thousands) of copies of a badly reviewed Atari E.T. game were found buried in the New Mexico desert.

How many days of your life would it take to whip through all of the TV that's worth binge-watching?

Cool ...

LINK: Original photo by Cpl. James Gulliver

GRAB A CUP AND READ THE MORNING REPORT FOR 4.30.14 >>>

Masked gunmen in military fatigues took control of a government building in another Ukrainian town.

Unshaken by the latest surge in violence, Iraqis braved the threat of bombs and attacks to vote today in key elections for a new parliament amid a massive security operation as the country slides deeper into sectarian strife.

A new defense pact reflects closer U.S.-Philippine ties.

President Obama's pivot to Asia will lack a crucial military underpinning next year, when for four months, the Navy will not have an aircraft carrier in the region.

China's A2/AD capabilities have many in Washington worried. America's land forces could help. 

Senator: Benghazi e-mails reveal White House misinformation.

Secretary of State John Kerry accused Moscow of accelerating the crisis in Ukraine instead of sticking to an agreement to ratchet back tensions.

The United States has proof that the Russian government in Moscow is running a network of spies inside eastern Ukraine.

The fate of the A-10 close-air support platform has been the most contentious issue between the Air Force and Congress over the last six months. If comments made yesterday are any indication, it's a fight that isn't going away.

House lawmakers have rejected proposed cuts in housing allowances and commissary funding, as well as an overhaul of the Tricare system that would increase out-of-pocket costs for some beneficiaries.

The House Seapower subcommittee markup that was revealed yesterday offered at least one surprise - cutting the Navy's request for three littoral combat ships to only two - but the bill supports the other new ship requests, including two destroyers and two submarines.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has directed all of the services to review their hairstyle policies in response to a letter from the Congressional Black Caucus.

Hagel's defense cuts: a good idea.

The Air Force chief of staff explored the proper force ratio between the service's active duty and reserve components in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Army's most iconic helicopter is about to go pilotless.

Michael D. Shear examines how popular culture has incorporated the issues that President Obama has faced.

What happens when a normal guy gets to fly in a Thunderbird F-16.

Finally: Sunglasses that ping your phone when you leave them behind.

The cast of the new Star Wars movie has been announced.

Carrie Fisher is auctioning a bunch of her rare Star Wars stuff.

Peter Buck (R.E.M.), Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney), Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, Minus 5), Bill Rieflin (Swans, Ministry), and Kurt Bloch (ex-Fastbacks) have formed the band super-Earth.

Finally: Road House fight chart.

OK, stop doing whatever the heck you're doing, because this is it. ...

LINK: Original photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane