Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed a landmark memorandum directing military installation commanders to allow service members to carry privately owned firearms while off duty on Department of War property. The directive establishes a “presumption of approval” for carry requests, reversing decades of “gun-free zone” policies that Hegseth claims left troops vulnerable during active-shooter incidents. WASHINGTON, D.C. — In one of the most significant shifts in military security policy in over twenty years, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has signed a directive aimed at restoring Second Amendment rights to the men and women in uniform. On Thursday, April 2, 2026,…
Author: Tommy Grant
President Donald Trump on Friday requested a 10% cut in non-defense discretionary spending for fiscal 2027 and a massive $500 billion increase in defense spending, as the United States continues its war against Iran. The 2027 budget request comes as the president faces risky choices abroad, with the administration sending U.S. service members to the Middle East, and a public at home feeling the economic crunch of skyrocketing gas prices due to the conflict.The request ultimately requires approval by Congress, where disagreement over Trump’s spending decisions recently led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.The president’s budget also reflects…
This is a developing story. One of two U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle crew members shot down by enemy fire in Iran has been rescued, Israeli media first reported. U.S. officials confirmed the reports in statements to CBS News, Axios and Reuters. A search for the second crew member is ongoing. A multi-aircraft search-and-rescue effort for survivors was launched on Friday in the immediate aftermath of the engagement, with videos circulating on social media appearing to show a low-flying U.S. Air Force HC-130 refueling a pair of HH-60G Pave Hawks over Iran.Israel’s N12 News first reported the rescue of the one…
The U.S. Air Force and Space Force revised the length of its transition assistance program for service members moving into the civilian workforce.The Department of the Air Force updated its SkillBridge programs to further “balance operational readiness and transition assistance to Airmen and Guardians,” according to a Thursday release.SkillBridge is a Department of Defense program that pairs service members with 180 days or less left in service before their discharge with civilian industry partners for training, apprenticeships or internships.Based on the service member’s rank, the new policy inputs the length of program participation into categories that include which commander levels…
An Iranian official said in an interview with RT on Thursday that the “conditions in the Strait of Hormuz will not return to the pre-war status quo.” At the moment, transit remains “operational,” however, all vessels are subject to inspection by the Iranian ruling class. “To date, no vessel belonging to the enemy or its partners has been granted permission to pass,” referring to the United States, Israel, and their allies. Ships wanting passage through the Strait of Hormuz are currently required to use “the flag state of the vessel to establish contact with Tehran,” the official declared. The Iranian…
President Donald Trump announced Friday he wants funding in 2027 for twice the number of ships that were requested the previous year.The proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget would include $65.8 billion in shipbuilding capital to manufacture 18 battle force ships and 16 non-battle force ships, according to a White House overview of the budget.“As waters around the world become increasingly contested, it is imperative that the United States be able to efficiently deliver the various naval platforms it requires to ensure maritime domain awareness and deterrence,” the overview said.The budget’s maritime resources would be dedicated to building out Trump’s planned…
This is a developing story. A United States F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet has been shot down over Iran, a U.S. official told Reuters. A search-and-rescue effort for survivors involving numerous U.S. aircraft is currently underway.The official, who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, did not provide any additional details of the engagement. The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Officials in Iran, meanwhile, called for the search and capture of any surviving crew members of the jet, according to reports by the semi-official ISNA news agency and the Young Journalists…
Going off-grid with solar is one of the most significant investments a self-reliant homesteader can make. Done right, it eliminates your utility bill permanently, keeps your property powered when the grid fails, and gives you the kind of energy independence that no amount of prepping supplies can replace. Done wrong, it drains your budget on undersized equipment, leaves you in the dark when you need power most, and sends you back to the hardware store for parts you should have bought the first time. The difference between a system that works and one that fails is not brand loyalty or…
In the ongoing battle between Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the state of New York over the hastily passed Concealed Carry Improvement Act, GOA and lawful firearm owners recently had a sweet partial victory. As a stipulation in the partial settlement filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York on March 30, the state officially consented to an injunction against the enforcement of portion of the law requiring applicants for a concealed carry license to submit a list of their former and current social media accounts from the past three years to confirm…
Summary World’s most important oil price hits record high as Trump threatens Iran: “make a deal before it’s too late.” Oil drops on reports of Iran-Oman coordination to reopen strait. Iran issues Israel/Gulf logistics hubs target list; IRGC targets Amazon Cloud computing center in Bahrain US intelligence assessments say Iran is not ready to negotiate, given it believes it has the strategic upper hand, and doesn’t believe Trump is ‘serious’ about talks: NYT The highest bridge in Iran, connecting Tehran and Karaj, was destroyed – amid reports of expanding attacks on civilian infrastructure. Iran threatens the Port of Haifa in response. UK’s Starmer chairs virtual summit of over 30 countries to…