FORT JACKSON, S.C. — The Army of the future will be smaller than today’s, but it will still need to take in tens of thousands of volunteers every year, the service’s top enlisted leader said Thursday. FORT JACKSON, S.C. — The Army of the future will be smaller than today’s, but it will still need to take in tens of thousands of volunteers every year, the service’s top enlisted leader said Thursday. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:42:25 -0500 The Associated Press News

The powerful chairman of the House Armed Services Committee has an ambitious goal of trying to get Congress to pass legislation by summer to exempt the Defense Department from across-the-board budget cuts that could hit the federal government next year. The powerful chairman of the House Armed Services Committee has an ambitious goal of trying to get Congress to pass legislation by summer to exempt the Defense Department from across-the-board budget cuts that could hit the federal government next year. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:32:31 -0500 Staff writer News

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s prime minister struck a conciliatory tone in an appearance before the Supreme Court Thursday, trying to cool down a political and legal crisis destabilizing the nuclear-armed country. ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s prime minister struck a conciliatory tone in an appearance before the Supreme Court Thursday, trying to cool down a political and legal crisis destabilizing the nuclear-armed country. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:43:03 -0500 The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — A low-ranking intelligence analyst charged in the biggest leak of classified information in U.S. history is a step closer to a general court-martial, the Army says, after a second officer signed off on the procedure. WASHINGTON — A low-ranking intelligence analyst charged in the biggest leak of classified information in U.S. history is a step closer to a general court-martial, the Army says, after a second officer signed off on the procedure. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:16:40 -0500

Army suicide rates declined for the first time in four years in 2011, the result of a complex effort to identify soldiers engaged in risky or self-destructive behavior, according to the outgoing vice chief of staff, Gen. Peter Chiarelli. Army suicide rates declined for the first time in four years in 2011, the result of a complex effort to identify soldiers engaged in risky or self-destructive behavior, according to the outgoing vice chief of staff, Gen. Peter Chiarelli. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:01:07 -0500 USA Today News

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tuskegee Airman Herbert Carter flew 77 missions during World War II and crashed landed only once, impressive numbers that challenged those skeptical of the abilities of black aviators. Decades later, he and the other legendary African-American airmen he flew with must once again prove themselves — at the box office. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tuskegee Airman Herbert Carter flew 77 missions during World War II and crashed landed only once, impressive numbers that challenged those skeptical of the abilities of black aviators. Decades later, he and the other legendary African-American airmen he flew with must once again prove themselves — at the box office. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:39 -0500 The Associated Press

Here are the names of the Army Reserve majors recommended for promotion to lieutenant colonel by the Army Promotion List board that met in September. Here are the names of the Army Reserve majors recommended for promotion to lieutenant colonel by the Army Promotion List board that met in September. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:07:04 -0500 Guard and Reserve

A selection board that met in October 2011 recommended the following captains of the Chaplains Corps for active-duty promotion to major. A selection board that met in October 2011 recommended the following captains of the Chaplains Corps for active-duty promotion to major. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:22:45 -0500 Careers and Education

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. — Authorities say a 23-year-old Oklahoma National Guard reservist who was found shot to death in her home last week was six months pregnant. MIDWEST CITY, Okla. — Authorities say a 23-year-old Oklahoma National Guard reservist who was found shot to death in her home last week was six months pregnant. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:51:09 -0500 Guard and Reserve

Army investigators are probing the video of a sheep being beaten with a baseball bat while a group of what appear to be soldiers cheer and laugh, according to a military spokesman. Army investigators are probing the video of a sheep being beaten with a baseball bat while a group of what appear to be soldiers cheer and laugh, according to a military spokesman. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:52:54 -0500 Staff writer

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A suicide attacker set off a vehicle laden with explosives Thursday outside a gate at a sprawling base for U.S. and NATO operations, killing seven civilians in a second suicide bombing in as many days in southern Afghanistan, officials said. KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — A suicide attacker set off a vehicle laden with explosives Thursday outside a gate at a sprawling base for U.S. and NATO operations, killing seven civilians in a second suicide bombing in as many days in southern Afghanistan, officials said. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:13:02 -0500 The Associated Press News

JERUSALEM — The military's top officer headed to Israel on Thursday at a time of mounting international anxiety over Iran's nuclear intentions and the possibility that the Jewish state might take military action to keep Tehran from building bombs. JERUSALEM — The military's top officer headed to Israel on Thursday at a time of mounting international anxiety over Iran's nuclear intentions and the possibility that the Jewish state might take military action to keep Tehran from building bombs. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:59:21 -0500 The Associated Press News

FORT JACKSON, S.C. — The Army's top enlisted man is scheduled to visit Fort Jackson. FORT JACKSON, S.C. — The Army's top enlisted man is scheduled to visit Fort Jackson. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:35:55 -0500 News

WASHINGTON — A new Army report says the number of suicides among soldiers has been leveling off, but there has been a dramatic jump in domestic violence, sex crimes and other destructive behavior in a force that has been stressed by a decade of war. WASHINGTON — A new Army report says the number of suicides among soldiers has been leveling off, but there has been a dramatic jump in domestic violence, sex crimes and other destructive behavior in a force that has been stressed by a decade of war. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:28:59 -0500 The Associated Press News

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — When the Marine unit that suffered the greatest casualties in the 10-year Afghan war returned home last spring, they didn’t rush back to their everyday lives. CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — When the Marine unit that suffered the greatest casualties in the 10-year Afghan war returned home last spring, they didn’t rush back to their everyday lives. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 07:18:12 -0500 The Associated Press News

STOCKTON, Utah — Gary McCloskey may have destroyed more chemical weapons than any man alive, but he barely reacted when the final weapons from the world's largest stockpile of warfare agents came out of an incinerator. STOCKTON, Utah — Gary McCloskey may have destroyed more chemical weapons than any man alive, but he barely reacted when the final weapons from the world's largest stockpile of warfare agents came out of an incinerator. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:58:42 -0500 The Associated Press

ANNISTON, Ala. — A new small arms repair facility is set to open at the Anniston Army Depot in north Alabama. ANNISTON, Ala. — A new small arms repair facility is set to open at the Anniston Army Depot in north Alabama. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:47:08 -0500 News

A Chinese-based cyber attack is targeting the Defense Department’s Common Access Cards with technology that could steal information from military networks while troops and civilians work at their desks, researchers say. A Chinese-based cyber attack is targeting the Defense Department’s Common Access Cards with technology that could steal information from military networks while troops and civilians work at their desks, researchers say. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:45:08 -0500 Staff writer News

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced a series of new measures Wednesday designed to prevent and respond to sexual assault in the military. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced a series of new measures Wednesday designed to prevent and respond to sexual assault in the military. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:00:55 -0500 Staff writer News

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is now “fully prepared” to deal with any Iranian effort to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital Persian Gulf avenue for international oil shipments, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday. WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is now “fully prepared” to deal with any Iranian effort to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital Persian Gulf avenue for international oil shipments, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Wednesday. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:12:12 -0500 The Associated Press News