United States Department of Defense

Obama Directs Security Boost at U.S. Diplomatic Posts

The United States condemns in the strongest terms the outrageous and shocking attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other American personnel, President Barack Obama said. Story | Video

Clinton: Attack in Libya Should Shock World’s Conscience

The attack in Benghazi, Libya, that resulted in the deaths of U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans should “shock the conscience of people of all faiths around the world,” Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said. Story

Panetta Strongly Condemns Benghazi Attack

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta condemned the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, in the “strongest possible terms,” said a senior government official, noting Panetta "also extends his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims.” Story

• Official Details Benghazi Attack, Vows to Support Libya

Troops Should Be Comfortable Seeking Help, Leaders Say

Service members facing behavioral health challenges should feel comfortable asking for help, military leaders said at the 134th National Guard Association of the United States General Conference in Reno, Nev. Story | Special

DOD Pursues Improvement in Contractor Management

Efforts to improve management of civilian contractors performing critical mission support functions are creating a cultural shift in the way the military prepares for battle, senior Defense Department officials told the House Armed Services Committee. Story

Panetta Remembers 9/11 Victims, Praises Service Members

With flags flying at half-staff and under a cloudless blue sky hauntingly similar to the day America was attacked 11 years ago, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta paid tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon and praised America’s service members. Story | Special

Obama: Lives Lost on 9/11 Ushered in Stronger Nation

President Barack Obama, joined by Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said America is stronger than ever during a 9/11 remembrance service at the Pentagon Memorial. Story | Photos | Special

Secretary Praises America’s Strength on 9/11 Anniversary

The 9/11 victims at the Pentagon, the Twin Towers in Manhattan or in a Pennsylvania field will remain “heroes forever,” Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told a somber audience during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the Pentagon Memorial. Story | Photos | Special

Dempsey Memorializes a Hero Among Many

Thousands of heroes died during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, many while helping others in the chaos around them, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a service at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. Story | Photos | Special

Winnefeld: Events of 9/11 Remain ‘Frozen In Time’

Eleven years later, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff reminded 9/11 remembrance ceremony attendees gathered in the Pentagon’s center courtyard why the war against terrorism is “personal.” Story

Panetta Calls Flight 93 Memorial ‘Hallowed Ground’

On the eve of the 11th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta toured the Flight 93 National Memorial here and called the passengers and crew of the ill-fated plane American heroes. Story | Photos | Special | Transcript | Video

Branch Helps DOD Shippers Get Best Rates

Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command’s special requirements branch is a one-stop shop for finding rate and transportation modes for Defense Department shippers. Story

Civil War Scholar: General McClellan Was Victim of History

In a presentation for the Defense Department’s historical speakers series, retired history professor Tom Clemens said Union Army Gen. George McClellan, considered by many historians to be an ineffectual commander, was in fact hamstrung by political and military jealousies that ultimately led to his removal from command. Story

Military Leads in Treating Traumatic Brain Injury, Expert Says

The proper management of traumatic brain injuries has become a military medical standard of care that’s returning 95 percent of service members with mild TBI back to the field within five days, said an Army neurologist who served on a Joint Chiefs of Staff panel to develop the protocol. Story | Special

Voting Program Launches Website for Smartphones

Service members, their families and U.S. citizens living overseas now have voting information at their fingertips with the Federal Voting Assistance program’s new mobile website that's accessible from any smartphone. Story

Active Services Meet Fiscal Year Recruiting Goals

All four active services and five of the six reserve components met or exceeded their numerical accession goals for fiscal 2012 through July, Pentagon officials reported. Story

DODEA Focuses on Staff Development for New School Year

Students heading back to Defense Department schools over the next few weeks are likely to see many improvements including modernized classrooms, the latest technology, new course offerings, healthier school lunches, and even some new academic requirements. Story

Labor Department Awards Grants for Veteran Job Training

The Labor Department awarded grants totaling $11.53 million through the Veterans’ Workforce Investment Program to provide an estimated 5,500 veterans with job training and skills development services. Story | Special

Post-9/11 GI Bill Celebrates Start of Fourth Year

August marks the third anniversary of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and since it was implemented, the Department of Veterans Affairs has provided educational benefits to 773,000 veterans and their family members. Story

Veterans Gather to Mark 70th Anniversary of Guadalcanal

Seventy years after the beginning of a brutal, six-month-long battle in the South Pacific, veterans of Guadalcanal gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to pay respects to their fellow service members who were lost in the battle or have passed away during the years since. Story | Special

Army Takes New Steps in PTSD Diagnosis, Treatment

The Army, along with the other military services and the Department of Veterans Affairs, is standardizing the diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in an effort to provide service members with better care. Story

Officials Confirm Recent Taliban Death, Arrests

Afghan and coalition security forces confirmed the death or arrest of three key Taliban operatives. Forces also detained several suspected insurgents and destroyed a cache of assault rifles, grenades, explosives and illegal narcotics. Story

Forces Confirm Deaths of 2 Taliban Leaders

Afghan and coalition forces confirmed the death of two senior Taliban leaders, including the suspected mastermind of an August 2008 ambush that left numerous French soldiers dead and 21 wounded. Story

Combined Force Kills Insurgents in Laghman Province

A combined Afghan and coalition security force killed several armed insurgents during an operation to arrest a Taliban attack commander in the Alisheng district of Afghanistan’s Laghman province. Story

Airstrike in Helmand Kills Taliban Attack Cell Leader

A precision airstrike killed a Taliban cell leader during a security operation in the Nad-e Ali district of Afghanistan’s Helmand province. The leader is believed to have commanded an attack cell and directed insurgent activity throughout western region of the province. Story

Taliban Leader Arrested in Kandahar

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban network leader in the Kandahar district of Kandahar province. The leader is believed to have directed distribution of weapons and explosives in the region. Story

Airstrike Kills Taliban Leader Involved in Attack

A Taliban leader behind an Aug. 7, 2012, attack on a coalition base in Afghanistan's Logar province was killed by Afghan and coalition security forces in the Pul-e Alam district, military officials reported. Story

Force Arrests Suspected Taliban Explosives Dealer

An Afghan special operations unit, supported by coalition troops, arrested a suspected Taliban explosives dealer during an operation in the Zharay district of Afghanistan's Kandahar province. Story

Security Force Detains Several Suspected Insurgents

An Afghan and coalition force detained several suspected insurgents during an operation to arrest a Haqqani bomb maker in the Pul-e ‘Alam district of Logar province. The sought-after leader facilitates the construction of improvised explosive devices and directs their use in the district. Story

Helicopter Crash Kills 2 ISAF Members in Afghanistan

Two International Security Assistance Force service members died following a helicopter crash in southern Afghanistan. The cause of the crash is under investigation, officials said. Story

Combined Force Arrests Taliban Weapons Supplier

An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban weapons supplier during an operation in the Andar district of Afghanistan's Ghazni province. The supplier provided Taliban leaders in the province with improvised explosive devices, other weapons and ammunition. Story