Caitlyn Burchett

Caitlyn Burchett covers defense news at the Pentagon. Before joining Stars and Stripes, she was the military reporter for The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va. She is based in Washington, D.C.

@CaitlynBurchett

burchett.caitlyn@stripes.com

Pete Hegseth sits in an office and speaks while holding a folder in his right hand and gesturing with his left hand.

Pentagon sets new deadline for transgender troops to leave service following Supreme Court ruling

The Pentagon has issued a new deadline for transgender troops to voluntarily separate from military service following a Supreme Court ruling earlier this week. Active-duty transgender troops have until June 6 to begin the process of separating from the armed forces or risk being booted out, according to a memo signed Thursday by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Five battlefield crosses are displayed in honor of five Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, during a memorial ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Feb. 16, 2024. More than 550 Marines, family and friends gathered to pay tribute to the five Marines who lost their lives as the result of a CH-53E mishap on Feb. 6, 2024, in Pine Valley, California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Antonio De La Fuente)

Helicopter crash that left 5 Marines dead was caused by pilot error, investigator finds

Navy opens annual ‘Health of the Force’ survey

A DoD-contracted driver transports humanitarian aid from the U.S. Army vessel LSV-5, across the Trident Pier, and onto the beach in Gaza, June 20, 2024. The temporary pier, part of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore capability, enables the maritime delivery of international humanitarian aid to the citizens of Gaza. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jordan KirkJohnson)

US troops ill-equipped, undertrained for mission to move supplies into Gaza using floating pier, IG report says

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (April 4, 2025) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) sails in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

Hegseth orders USS Truman to stay in the Middle East another week

USS Harry S. Truman was ordered to stay in the Red Sea for another week, extending its deployment to continue fighting Houthi attacks, a U.S. defense official confirmed Friday.

Two women in fatigues clean a room. One is mopping, the other standing next to a dresser in the background.

Initiative to improve Marines barracks delayed by funding, hiring freeze

The Marine Corps’ barracks improvement effort is being hindered by uncertain congressional funding and the federal hiring freeze as the service has pushed back its completion goal to at least 2037.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivers remarks to midshipmen during his visit to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, April 1, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Pentagon moves to cancel ‘woke’ women in national security program established during Trump’s first term

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth moved to cancel a program that promoted the participation of women in national security, claiming the initiative is “woke,” “divisive” and distracts troops.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signs a memorandum regarding medical waivers at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., April 23, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Madelyn Keech)

Pentagon to review health conditions for which potential recruits can request medical waivers

The Pentagon is reviewing the medical standards for military enlistment during the next month with plans to update the list of health conditions for which potential recruits can request medical waivers.

241220-N-KA812-3031 U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Dec. 20, 2024) A U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Aircraft Handling) taxis an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136, aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

Fighter jet, towing tractor on USS Harry S. Truman fall overboard, 1 sailor injured

Sailors were towing an F/A-18E Super Hornet in the hangar bay Monday when the crew “lost control of the aircraft,” according to the Navy. It is unclear whether there will be an effort to recover the jet, which costs about $60 million.

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, left, speaks with U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Matthew Bagley, the commanding officer of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461, during a control tower tour at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina, April 10, 2025. Mr. Phelan surveyed MCAS New River as part of a visit with II Marine Expeditionary Force and its tenant commanders where they discussed crisis response capabilities, reinforcing the Department of the Navy’s commitment to maintaining a ready force capable of rapid forward deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacquilyn Davis)

Navy secretary cancels Biden-era climate change policy

The rescinded plan had committed the Navy to reducing its overall emissions by 65% by 2030. The move comes after the Defense Department in mid-March announced it would flush climate change policies and initiatives deemed “inconsistent with our core warfighter mission.”

Army names new hypersonic missile ‘Dark Eagle’

The hypersonic missile is intended to be maneuverable, potentially making it more difficult to detect and intercept. The Army planned to have the first system in the hands of soldiers by late 2023, but testing failures delayed the deployment of the system to at least September 2025.

Hegseth in a suit and Meyer in uniform with a representation of the Medal of Honor, reading Valor, in the background.

Medal of Honor recipient sworn in to Marine Corps Reserve by Hegseth

Dakota Meyer joining the Marine Corps Reserve comes nearly 15 years after he was awarded the nation’s highest military award for combat valor in 2011 for his actions during an ambush in the Ganjgal Valley of Afghanistan.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mark Bortnem, commanding officer, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, gives his proclamation against domestic violence at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, Oct. 11, 2023. The 2023 Domestic Violence Awareness Month campaign encourages the military community to speak up and share information about preventing domestic abuse and supporting those who have experienced it. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nathan Saucier)

Marine Corps air station commander ousted

Col. Mark Bortnem was relieved Monday of his command of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The air station supports operations for the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, attached II Marine Expeditionary Force units, and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and the greater eastern recruiting region.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (July 19, 2024) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) flies the national ensign in Newport News, Virginia, July 19, 2024. John C. Stennis is in Newport News Shipyard conducting Refueling and Complex Overhaul to prepare the ship for the second half of its 50-year service life. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Max Biesecker)

Trump executive order could cancel over-budget, delayed Pentagon programs

Pentagon programs that are delayed and over budget by 15% or more could be cut, according to an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.

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