This week in the military, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a landmark court case that guaranteed the federal right to abortion, and states that are home to many military bases have already enacted “trigger laws” immediately outlawing abortion. Some services previously drafted policies in anticipation of the reversal and, after the decision was announced, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin tweeted that the DoD is “examining this decision closely and evaluating our policies to ensure we continue to provide seamless access to reproductive health care as permitted by federal law.”
A Department of Veterans Affairs employee was filmed beating a veteran and was suspended “indefinitely” without pay; the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force say they have policies to help service members transfer to different duty stations if they are affected by state laws that discriminate against them for their sexuality or gender; the Army has relaxed its tattoo policy amid the Defense Department's recruiting crisis; and refugees of the war in Afghanistan are still struggling to build a life in the United States after the military's withdrawal from that country last year and as many Afghans eligible for a special visa are still reported left behind.
The “Thunderbirds” fly over Hill Air Force Base, Utah, for the Warriors Over the Wasatch Air and Space Show on June 24, 2022. (Cynthia Griggs / U.S. Air Force)
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