By now, it’s virtually impossible to find a department or headline that hasn’t been affected by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) involving the military. This includes the temporary stop to military testing centers responsible for administering the ASVAB test. However, these centers are back working following travel restrictions for test administrators, finding that recruitment was disrupted as a result of the shutdown.

ASVAB Military Testing Sites are Back Open

There are several sites used to administer the 

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

These centers had to be re-opened after Elon Musk and DOGE cut them from the budget, hindering the testing sites for a critical exam every future service member must take before enlisting.

The ASVAB is used to determine the jobs and roles a service member can qualify for while serving, assessing a variety of skills, including science, math, and language skills.

Minimum scores are required when taking the ASVAB to even join and depending on what service members score, this will determine which jobs they are eligible for as certain roles require certain minimums to qualify.

There are 65 Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) available; however, temporary sites play a critical role for those who don’t live near an accessible MEPS.

Several cuts are affecting government operations, including travel plans for officials.

This is part of why the MET sites located across the U.S. were temporarily shuttered, as staff members found themselves without funds to make the trips necessary to provide the tests.

Temporary MEPS are held in a variety of government buildings, ranging from high schools to National Guard armories and even federal government offices.

Because DOGE saw the travel as “non-essential,” there was no one there to work; however, the 

United States Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM)

 is now confirming that things are headed back to normal.

“Civilian travel in support of USMEPCOM operations, to include testing administrators traveling to administer tests at high schools and Military Entrance Testing Sites, has resumed,” said Marshall Smith, a spokesperson for USMEPCOM.

The disruption for the military comes at an unfortunate time. Unlike many of the recent years, military recruitment efforts have actually seen positive numbers for 2024 and 2025.

Having these testing sites down could take away from these improved efforts, with recruitment being disrupted as a result.

Fortunately, the decision to reverse DOGE’s temporary hold is allowing for business as usual and the military branches to regain some lost ground in those efforts.

Temporary Closing of MEPS Hurt Recruitment

Military testing site closures raised concerns about recruitment, as services continue to struggle with meeting enlistment goals.

USMEPCOM confirmed that some locations had to shut down or reduce hours due to Pentagon-ordered cuts to travel for DoD civilians.

These cuts stemmed from Trump’s executive order implementing DOGE-recommended budget reductions, including stricter oversight on federally funded travel.

While officials initially explored alternative funding, USMEPCOM spokesperson Marshall Smith clarified that travel funding remains unchanged. “There’s no special funding or process,” he stated.

The DoD’s Student Testing Program, which helps recruiters identify potential high school candidates, was also affected but has also since resumed.

MEPS personnel will now work with schools to reschedule missed testing sessions, ensuring recruitment efforts can continue as planned.

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When NATO decides to devise or execute a military strategy, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) is the leader in charge of such decisions. Dwight D. Eisenhower has held the position and while it doesn’t have to be an American, for well over seven decades, it has been. So, why does President Donald Trump want to give up such a powerful role? Let’s dive deeper.

America Might Not Be the SACEUR for the First Time in Over 74 Years

Having a four-star general from the US as the SACEUR has been a mainstay for NATO; however, officials are now saying that The Pentagon’s restructuring could change that.

Overseeing European security is a big deal, especially at a time in which the continent continues to experience war.

However, with The Pentagon reviewing how military commands are structured, giving up such a powerful position is still on the table.

While reorganization could be a good thing for the United States, experts are warning that giving up the role of NATO's SACEUR is a huge misstep from a military and political standpoint.

“For the United States to give up the role of Supreme Allied Commander of NATO would be seen in Europe as a significant signal of walking away from the alliance. It would be a political mistake of epic proportion, and once we give it up, they are not going to give it back. We would lose an enormous amount of influence within NATO, and this would be seen, correctly, as probably the first step toward leaving the Alliance altogether.”

It’s worth noting that Stavridis served as SACEUR as well as the Head of European Command from 2009 to 2013.

If the U.S. gives up its role as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), the shift will trigger more responsibility from European allies.

It's not the most surprising thing being proposed, considering Trump wants Europe to pay more for NATO's defenses.

This is all at a time when the government is undergoing major changes, including federal budget cuts, and officials are looking at as much as $270 million in savings by merging several military commands in the first year alone.

Plans include potentially consolidating U.S. European Command with Africa Command as well as shutting down U.S. Southern Command in Florida.

Critics argue the restructuring prioritizes cost-cutting over strategy and could reduce U.S. influence in Europe, limiting access to key bases and weakening intelligence and planning capabilities.

“When you start reducing capabilities of headquarters that do planning and intelligence…that only hurts us. What strategic analysis led them to want to do this? This has happened so early that this clearly smells like a cost-cutting thing than a strategic analysis,” said retired 

, who also served as the Army’s Senior Commander in Europe.

The Pentagon is considering a merger between EUCOM and AFRICOM, despite concerns that managing such a vast region would be too complex for one leader.

Critics like Stavridis aren't as worried about other consolidations, such as a potential merger of the Southern and Northern Commands.

However, there are several cost-saving measures on the table, which include relocating hundreds of Pentagon-based staff to Virginia, eliminating the J7 training directorate, and potentially cutting 375 civilian jobs.

The plan aims to save $470 million over five years but there are still questions about whether or not coordination and expertise will suffer as a result.

Additionally, U.S. Space Command may lose its missile defense component, and a planned expansion of U.S. Forces Japan could be scrapped and while almost $1.2 billion could be saved, relations might suffer with our biggest ally as tensions rise in the Pacific.

Such changes show that even though the role of SACEUR is up for debate, it's just one piece of the puzzle.

Despite a possible reduction in intel, influence, and readiness, the U.S. is almost certainly experiencing a notable shakeup in its military presence around the globe.

Technically the SACEUR doesn't have to be an American, but because the U.S. provides the most military power to NATO, it traditionally is.

While this office, for now, is held by an American, it's not the only one to follow this tradition either.

Up until 2009, the second top NATO role, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), was also held by a U.S. Officer, but now, it's held by a French military leader, Gen. Philippe Lavigne.

Whether or not the SACEUR remains under the direction of the United States remains a mystery but Trump’s rhetoric continues to cause tension in international relations among Europe and our time in the role could be coming to an end.

If Trump Gives Up American Control in NATO, the SACEUR Role Could be Eliminated

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In a recent shift in policy, the Marine Corps has cracked down on shaving waivers for personnel with medical conditions. Marines diagnosed with pseudofolliculitis barbae — an inflammatory skin condition aggravated by shaving — must undergo medical reevaluation within 90 days to determine if they still require a shaving waiver. This is according to new Marine Corps guidance issued by the Trump administration. This policy change has sparked concerns among affected personnel, as they face new hurdles in balancing their health needs with the 

Trump Admin Release Statement Regarding Shaving Waivers

The Trump administration released an administrative message that outlines a phased treatment plan for Marines that have been affected by pseudofolliculitis barbae. The ultimate goal, as stated by the administration, is “returning service members to grooming standards and ensuring maximum warfighting readiness.”

“Ensuring the health, resilience, and discipline of our Marines and Sailors is essential to sustaining our warfighting capability and maintaining the high standards required to remain ready for any challenge,” the message said. “These standards ensure we remain the world’s premier fighting force, ready to fight and win with unwavering readiness, discipline and lethality.”

This new guidance comes from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who ordered a review of military

Shaving waivers have long been a necessary accommodation for Marines who suffer from medical conditions that prevent them from safely shaving. Common conditions that have warranted shaving waivers include:

For many years, these waivers allowed Marines to grow facial hair as a way to avoid irritation, pain, or exacerbation of their conditions. Under the new policy, however, personnel with shaving waivers are facing greater scrutiny.

Now, military medical officers can grant a medical waiver to Marines diagnosed with the medical condition. The waiver will need to be reviewed and signed by a commanding officer.

The New Guidance Outlines a 4-Phase Regimen

Under the updated policy, there is a four-phase plan that Marines will need to follow. The regimen allows military medical officers to instruct Marines to use clippers to modify the new standards if needed.

Marines will avoid shaving for 4 weeks, to see if razor bumps reside.

Marines with moderate to severe bumps will avoid shaving for 8 weeks (or another 4 weeks if they were following Phase 1). This phase also includes potential hair removal through depilatory treatment.

This phase included another 4 weeks of the same treatment if the condition does not improve.

If the skin condition does not improve in the previous weeks, Marines will be referred to a dermatologist for a potential laser treatment. Treatment is funded by the government.

Hegseth Calls for Tighter Military Standards

The Marine Corps' decision to tighten rules on shaving waivers for personnel with medical conditions marks a significant policy shift. While the Corps is focused on maintaining its grooming standards and preventing misuse of the waiver system, the impact on service members with genuine medical needs cannot be overlooked.

As these stricter rules are implemented, the challenge lies in maintaining a fair and effective process that accommodates both the health of service members and the Corps' high standards of appearance and discipline.

, Hegseth has called for the under secretary of defense to collect more information pertaining to the physical fitness, readiness, and body composition of service members.

When asked about the new standards Hegseth said,

“We must remain vigilant in maintaining the standards that enable the men and women of our military to protect the American people and our homeland as the world’s most lethal and effective fighting force. Our adversaries are not growing weaker, and our tasks are not growing less challenging.”

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Military recruitment in 2025 is set to be as good if not better than 2024’s levels. Overall, the recent efforts for recruitment have been bad across the board; however, 2024 was a return to form, hitting goals and finding new ways to attract warfighters. Now, the military is set to continue this reversal, righting the ship during a time in which multiple conflicts continue across the globe.

Military Recruitment in 2025 Could Outperform 2024

The U.S. military's recruitment efforts are off to a good start. Military recruitment in 2025 is on track to do just as good as the year before if not better.

Both the Army and Navy, America’s two largest services, were the branches facing the harshest issues in recruiting volunteers but the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2025 is proving to be much more promising.

Keep in mind that the military’s FY doesn’t begin in January but actually begins on October 1, and despite the positive report, neither branch really understands why this reversal is happening.

"We've seen momentum unlike anything we've (had) in a decade," said 

With a goal of gaining 61,000 recruits for the Army, the branch is five months into the FY and is already reaching nearly 73% of its goal.

While military recruitment in 2025 is on track, the change in fortunes can be traced back to summer 2024.

Thankfully, the trend for more recruits hasn’t fallen off and continues to gain momentum, with some leaders believing this year could easily surpass its goals.

Not only is 2025 in good shape but if this trend continues, there should be a notable pool of recruits ready to kick off the FY 2026 goals as well.

Military recruitment grew 12.5% from 2023 to 2024, according to the Department of Defense.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth credited the increase under President Trump to a shift toward a "warrior ethos," moving to focus away from diversity initiatives to military lethality, despite boosts being traced to the Biden administration.

"I think we've seen enthusiasm and excitement from young men and women who want to join the military actively because they are interested in being a part of the finest fighting force the world has to offer and not doing a lot of other things that serve oftentimes, too often, to divide or distract," said Hegseth.

What’s the Difference? Leaders Disagree

Military recruitment is a hot topic, with leaders offering different takes on what’s driving recent gains.

While Pete Hegseth credits President Trump as the military’s strongest recruiter, others in leadership aren't so sure there's one overarching factor but rather a combination of things leading to better results.

, who believes the right strategies are in place, all working together for military recruitment to improve in 2025.

Meanwhile, former Pentagon official Alex Wagner argues Hegseth’s approach is nothing new, saying the military has always fostered a warrior mindset.

Still, President Trump is pointing to results, recently announcing the Army’s best recruiting month in 15 years.

Military Recruitment in 2025 Is Doing Well, but Challenges Remain

The Army is having its best recruitment year since 2010, the Navy has set its highest goal in two decades, and the Air Force is increasing targets by 20% for 2025.

But there are still plenty of issues for branches looking to keep these recruitment numbers high.

Prep courses helping recruits meet academic and physical standards have played a key role, contributing to nearly a quarter of the Army’s 2024 goal.

Furthermore, the Air Force also loosened body fat standards and lifted a ban related to those who have used THC.

However, only 23% of youth recruits meet service requirements, and just 9% of them are even interested in joining, narrowing the pool significantly for recruiters.

Experts say recent structural changes have strengthened recruitment, but it’s unclear how much politics is influencing enlistment trends.

Military recruitment in 2025 is doing well, but there's still a lot of time and work to be done to maintain proper numbers among the ranks.

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What lurks below the ocean's surface has fascinated man virtually for as long as we’ve been around. While many throughout history have been concerned with various creatures and legends of the deep, in the modern world, another real threat lies below—sea mines. Although they’re not a new concept, how we detect and dispose of naval mines continues to evolve. Now, the U.S. Navy is improving its methods, and as a result, sea travel conditions for all.

Sea mines are a simple concept based on a much more complicated science. These underwater explosive ordinances detonate when triggered by passing ships in the hopes of taking out enemies before they ever reach their destination.

Some mines use contact while others use magnetic detection or pressure changes, but once triggered, enemy ships are incapacitated, making them effective in blocking shipping routes, protecting harbors, and more.

For hundreds of years, sea mines have been used, with most modern designs relying on sensors to detect ships. Once an enemy is detected, an internal detonation system creates a powerful underwater explosion.

This blast generates a shockwave and gas bubble, which can severely damage or sink vessels, and while these weapons can be set out as a trap, technology is allowing for much better, diverse applications.

Mines can be deployed from ships, submarines, or aircraft and positioned in various ways—anchored to the seabed, moored at specific depths, or left to drift.

From Medieval China to Modern Applications

Putting mines in the sea has a long and fascinating history, dating back to 14th-century China, when military experts designed floating explosives to defend against enemy ships.

By the 16th century, Chinese naval mines were deployed against Japanese pirates, and by the 17th century, they even had remote-detonated versions.

In the West, early sea mine designs were popping up by the late 1500s, but it wasn’t until the 

 that mines were successfully used in combat.

Over the next several centuries, the evolution of technology brought forth even more innovation for naval mines, which would see the weapons move from merely a defensive option to becoming a key weapon in warfare.

From the Crimean War to World Wars I and II, mines were used to protect coastlines, sink enemy ships, and even cut off supply routes.

By World War II, mines had become highly sophisticated, with magnetic and pressure-sensitive triggers that could sink ships without direct contact.

Their strategic importance has only grown, and even today, naval mines remain a crucial tool in maritime defense. However, their effectiveness and increase in use are also leading to concerns for civilian ships and infrastructure.

While the use of a sea mine may benefit naval defenses, there’s a lot of other traffic out there.

Oceans, seas, and various bodies of water around the world are home to fishermen, cruise ships, yachts, supply boats, research vessels, etc., that may not be engaging in warfare but could become victims, nonetheless.

Their presence can disrupt trade by forcing ships to reroute while their stealthy nature makes them difficult to detect.

To reduce harm to neutral vessels, international law requires nations to declare mined areas, but the risk remains a major concern for maritime safety.

The Navy’s Maritime Expeditionary Response Crawler Could Disrupt Sea Mines

The U.S. Navy is developing a robotic crawler known as the 

 to help detect and neutralize the threat of sea mines.

Operating at depths of nearly 2,000 feet, using sensors and manipulator arms, the unmanned crawler crew would find and disable mines autonomously while keeping human operators at a safe distance.

While the Navy already has drones for this purpose, the seas are diverse, and you’re going to need to get creative when navigating different seabed conditions, which the Maritime Expeditionary Response Crawler will do.

Furthermore, the Navy’s new toy will remain stable in ocean currents and even transit on the surface before diving.

Protecting ships is important and a focal point of the project, but it’s also important to safeguard underwater infrastructure. This includes undersea cables and pipelines we rely on for things like oil production and the Internet.

With growing global threats, this technology aims to make underwater operations safer and more effective.

Sea mines may remain an active threat, but the military is pushing to make the open waters a bit less threatening through this innovative drone.

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President Donald Trump is nominating a man with ample military experience, deep ties to the community, and an understanding of how politics work for the role of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. Virginia GOP Chairman Rich Anderson has been nominated for the job. Get to know more about the Retired Air Force Colonel and why he could be a great fit.

Retired Veteran Richard Anderson has served as a politician in Virginia and is now being nominated for the role of Assistant Secretary of the Air Force.

With a notable career in both the military and politics, Anderson is a qualified pick for the role and will look to bring his experience as an officer in the Air Force along with his knowledge of how to navigate Washington to the position.

If you’re going to help shape the military, it’s typically a good idea to have some sort of experience in the American Armed Forces.

Richard Anderson graduated from Virginia Tech in 1979, when he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and went on to have quite a military career.

Anderson served as a nuclear missile operations officer in both Titan II and Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile units. His service also included various command and staff positions.

Furthering his education even more, Anderson earned a Master’s degree in public administration from Webster University in 1982 and also attended the Air War College, Air Command and Staff College, and the Armed Forces Staff College.

, where he rose to the rank of brigadier general and served as National Commander from 1993 to 1996.

Over his distinguished career, Anderson achieved the rank of Colonel, retiring in 2009.

Supporting the Airmen is an important part of Anderson’s life that would continue well after his retirement and is coming into play with his nomination.

Furthermore, his wife, Ruth Valentine, is also an Air Force Veteran, serving for 21 years. His military experience, connection to the community, and leadership skills are exactly why Trump is nominating the Vet for the job.

Richard Anderson’s political journey began after his retirement from the U.S. Air Force.

In 2009, Anderson entered the Virginia political scene, winning the Republican nomination for the 51st district in the Virginia House of Delegates, earning a narrow victory.

This would be the beginning, however, as he was re-elected in 2011, 2013, and 2015, even running unopposed for a fourth term.

During his time in the House of Delegates, Anderson was a significant figure, chairing the House Committee on Science and Technology and serving on several other important committees, shaping important policies for Old Dominion still seen today.

Anderson was elected Chairman of the Virginia Republican Party in 2020, furthering his political career, and now in 2025, his nomination as the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force is adding a new chapter to his life of public service.

Trump Nominates Rich Anderson for Assistant Secretary of the Air Force

With three decades of military experience and a notable ongoing run in politics, Trump is nominating to be the next Assistant Secretary of the Air Force.

Should Anderson get the role, he’d be helping Airmen by taking on the responsibility of “acquisition, technology, and logistics matters of the Department of the Air Force.”

“During our time serving as party chairs, Rich and I found common ground — as natives of western Virginia, lovers of old-time gospel music and seltzer water, and, most importantly, in our steadfast belief in free and fair elections. I deeply respect Rich’s devotion to this country, especially as a Veteran, and I wish him all the best in his new role,” said 

Democratic Party Chairwoman Susan Swecker

Capable of reaching across party lines, Rich Anderson provides a very unique set of skills during a highly contentious time in Washington.

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When President Trump was in office the first time, he made it clear that transgender warfighters weren’t welcome and took no time at all during his second stint to bar them from serving. However, in what is sure to be only part of this ongoing saga, a federal judge has blocked Trump’s ban providing a significant legal challenge to his administration’s policy.

US District Judge Ana Reyes Challenges Trump’s Transgender Military Ban

A federal judge has blocked President Trump’s transgender ban for service members, claiming his administration can’t enforce it, despite plans to do so towards the end of March 2025.

Appointed by former President Joe Biden, 

 wrote about the ban stating that it “is soaked in animus and dripping with pretext. Its language is unabashedly demeaning, its policy stigmatizes transgender persons as inherently unfit, and its conclusions bear no relation to fact. Indeed, the cruel irony is that thousands of transgender servicemembers have sacrificed—some risking their lives—to ensure for others the very equal protection rights the Military Ban seeks to deny them.”

So that the Trump administration would have time to appeal her injunction in the 

, Judge Reyes is pausing until Friday morning.

With Trump’s transgender ban affecting service members and new recruits, a lot of discussion has taken place concerning rights, recruitment needs, and the respect of current warfighters.

Many believed the ban was a violation of their rights as protected by the Constitution, a sentiment Reyes agrees with and believes could be used to challenge such actions from the government.

This all stems from Trump’s controversial Executive Order, which came quickly after becoming President once more, claiming trans warfighters were negatively impacting the U.S. military.

“Defendants have not provided a legitimate reason for banning all transgender troops,” wrote Reyes.

A federal judge rejected the argument that the president has unlimited power over military service rules, emphasizing that military readiness shouldn’t be used to justify discrimination.

But this is nothing new, as Judge Reyes points out similar arguments have been used to exclude minorities throughout history, including women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals from serving, despite our military improving due to the removal of those barriers.

During Trump’s first term, his 2017 ban on transgender service members faced multiple lawsuits, with federal courts ruling that it was unconstitutional discrimination.

However, in 2019, the Supreme Court allowed the ban to take effect without ruling on its constitutionality. President Biden reversed it in 2021.

Now, in 2025, The Pentagon has reinstated Trump’s policy, stating that transgender individuals who don’t meet strict new criteria will be discharged.

A Pentagon memo outlined that only two sexes—male and female—are officially recognized, and service members must serve based on their sex at birth.

Those diagnosed with or showing symptoms of gender dysphoria will be removed from service.

This move has sparked renewed controversy, echoing past debates over inclusion in the military and raising concerns about discrimination and the rights of transgender service members.

How Trump’s Transgender Ban is Affecting the Military

Overall, transgender warfighters are a minority with only around 4,240 service members in all branches, the Reserves, and even the National Guard combined diagnosed with gender dysphoria.

Since 2014, around 1,000 service members underwent gender-affirming surgeries during this time period.

It’s a bit odd considering the small population within the military that such a group would be looked at potentially making our national defense weaker as a unit.

Additionally, transgender warfighters could lack the resources they need for healthcare while serving due to policies like Trump’s.

Trump’s transgender ban for military members isn’t a surprise but its controversial approach that may take away the rights of the very people signing up to protect such rights for all of us is perplexing and concerning.

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