Matthew Adams

Matthew Adams covers the Defense Department at the Pentagon. His past reporting experience includes covering politics for The Dallas Morning News, Houston Chronicle and The News and Observer. He is based in Washington, D.C.

@MatthewAdams60

adams.matthew@stripes.com

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Angela Scolari, front, a combat marksmanship coach assigned to 6th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, Force Headquarters Group, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, fires a rifle during an all-female marksmanship subject matter expert exchange between U.S. Marines and Jordanian Soldiers during Intrepid Maven 25.1 in Al-Quwayrah, Jordan, Oct. 29, 2024. The second iteration of this exchange between U.S. and Jordanian female engagement teams was nested in Intrepid Maven 25.1 and represents a step forward in strengthening military cooperation and promoting Women, Peace, and Security initiatives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Angela Wilcox)

Hegseth orders review of combat-arms jobs, ‘sex-neutral’ physical standards

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the secretaries of the military services to come up with a plan that distinguishes between combat-arms jobs and noncombat-arms jobs and develops physical standards that are “sex-neutral.”

3 soldiers, 4 horses injured during training exercise at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall

An entrance that reads “Welcome to Fort Moore” next to another image that says “Welcome to Fort Benning.”

Fort Benning is back — Hegseth orders Fort Moore to revert to its original name

An Air Force officer in blue dress uniform speaks into a microphone in front of U.S. flags and the emblem of the Pentagon.

Gen. ‘CQ’ Brown, chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Adm. Franchetti, chief of naval operations, fired

Pentagon expects to fire more than 5,000 civilian probationary employees starting next week

The first firings of Defense Department civilian probationary employees are expected to start next week, with about 5,400 set to be released as the Pentagon anticipates reducing its civilian workforce by 5-8%.

A man in uniform speaking at a podium with a white candle in the foreground to his left.

‘There is growth, even in death’: Fort Belvoir holds candle vigil for soldiers killed in Army helicopter crash over DC

Soldiers, family members and friends gathered at the Fort Belvoir base chapel on Wednesday night for a candle vigil to honor three Army crew members who were killed when their helicopter collided in midair with a commercial jet over the Potomac River in Washington.

Nancy Floyd, 316th Force Support Squadron test control officer, instructs the Technical Sergeant cycle testing group before the Electronic Weighted Airman Promotion System test at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Feb. 20, 2024. The transition to eWAPS marked a significant departure from the traditional pencil-and-paper testing method, showcasing the Air Force's commitment to adopting contemporary practices in personnel development. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew-John Braman)

Air Force delays technical sergeant testing to remove DEI-related content

The Air Force has delayed the start of the promotion cycle for technical sergeants to review testing material and remove content related to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Hegseth stops transgender recruits from joining the force, halts medical procedures

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has stopped new transgender recruits from joining the military and halted medical procedures for service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria, according to a new memorandum.

Pentagon rescinds social media pause

The pause on social media accounts within the Defense Department was rescinded Monday, according to a Pentagon spokesman, after posts were initially suspended for 10 days, excluding communications about operations along the U.S.-Mexico border or military base activities.

‘Bright star in all our lives’: Army captain from North Carolina was the third soldier killed in Army helicopter’s midair crash over DC

An Army captain from North Carolina was the third crew member killed when a Black Hawk helicopter collided in midair with a commercial jet over the Potomac River in Washington, the service announced Saturday.

A selfie of a young man smiling on the left next to an official portrait of a different young man in uniform on the right.

Afghanistan veteran, pilot who served in the Navy were 2 of 3 soldiers killed in Army helicopter’s midair crash over DC

Staff Sgt. Ryan O’Hara, 28, of Lilburn, Ga., served as a Black Hawk repairer in the Army from July 2014 until his death Wednesday night. The remains of another soldier, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, 39, of Great Mills, Md., have not yet been recovered.

Pete Hegseht stands at a podium and speaks into microphones while Donald Trump stands to the side.

‘Tragically, last night, a mistake was made’: Pentagon halts flights as Army helicopter collides midair with commercial jet over DC

The Army’s 12th Aviation Battalion that includes the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the deadly midair crash with a commercial jet over the Potomac River has been granted a 48-hour operational pause, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Thursday.

A combination of side by side portraits show Mark Esper and Mark Milley.

Portraits of Mark Esper and Gen. Mark Milley removed at Pentagon, Hegseth revokes Milley’s security detail and clearance

The portraits of former Defense Secretary Mark Esper and retired Army Gen. Mark Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were removed from the Pentagon after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revoked Milley’s personal security detail and security clearance.

Trump signs orders revising policy on transgender troops, canceling DEI programs and reinstating troops who refused COVID vaccines

The orders will likely set in motion a future ban on transgender troops and reshape the military.

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