J.D. Simkins
Executive Editor
J.D. Simkins is the executive editor of Military Times and Defense News, and a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.
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Pentagon must do better to safeguard public information, GAO warns
Of 10 DOD components assessed, only U.S. Special Operations Command was found to have consistently trained troops about the risks of digital information.
Soldiers stress-test translator tech to bridge allied language gaps
The exchange program marked one small part of an ongoing effort to stress-test military technology across the continent’s 54 sovereign nations.
Armored soldiers get first live-fire work on Switchblade 600
1st Cavalry Division soldiers tested the system during an exercise at Fort Hood, marking the first time it was live-fired on the Texas installation.
Here’s what’s new in soldier gear in 2025 and beyond
From body armor to loitering munitions, the center for all things soldier gear is upgrading and fielding new equipment to troops.
FN to continue developing Army’s next-gen precision grenadier system
Creation of the next-gen system was influenced by real-time soldier feedback and battlefield priorities that continue to evolve in places like Ukraine.
Army expands MOS program that allows soldiers to skip certain training
Recruits who meet certain skill requirements are eligible to go into the service with modified training and at a higher rank than their peers.
Trump slams Israel, Iran: ‘They don’t know what the f— they’re doing’
President Donald Trump on Tuesday blasted both Israel and Iran for what he said were violations of ceasefire terms that had been agreed upon hours earlier.
Trump signs shipbuilding order as Navy leaders call for 381-ship fleet
The new policy aims to revitalize a U.S. shipbuilding industry that has fallen well behind production levels of its rivals from Beijing.
