House Armed Services Committe

Lawmakers Press HASC to Approve Research Into Psychedelic Drugs for PTSD Treatment

U.S. Capitol on Dec. 29, 2022. USNI News Photo

Congressional members petitioned the House Armed Services Committee to research psychedelic drugs to treat post-traumatic stress during the panel’s annual member day ahead of the Fiscal Year 2024 defense policy bill markup.

Navy SEAL veteran Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) told a receptive HASC that Congress must approve research grants to assess using psychedelic drugs to treat post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

“We have to think...

https://news.usni.org/2023/05/16/lawmakers-press-hasc-to-approve-research-into-psychedelic-drugs-for-ptsd-treatment

Pentagon Not Pursuing Separate Reentry Path For Vaccine Separated Service Members

Lance Cpl. Carlos Benitez, assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, receives a COVID-19 booster shot aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) on March 23, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Department of Defense will not issue a separate policy to bring back service members who were separated for failing to get vaccinated against COVID-19, a top Pentagon personnel chief testified to Congress on Tuesday.

Service personnel who were separated for failing to get vaccinated...

https://news.usni.org/2023/02/28/pentagon-not-pursuing-separate-reentry-path-for-vaccine-separated-service-members

Australia’s First Nuclear Submarine Could Be a Reality in 30 Years, Former PACOM Commander Testifies

Able Seaman Combat Systems Operator Benjamin Stewart participates in an Anti-Submarine Warfare exercise with a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine during Exercise ARC21 in 2021. Royal Australian Navy Photo

Developing a nuclear-powered submarine with Australia could happen in 30 years if the United States commits to a tight timetable, retired Adm. Harry Harris told lawmakers Tuesday.

Harris, a former commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, called Australia the United States’ key ally...

https://news.usni.org/2023/02/07/australias-first-nuclear-submarine-could-be-a-reality-in-30-years-former-pacom-commander-testifies

Commission Recommends Renaming Two Navy Ships with Confederate Ties

USS Chancellorsville (CG-62), USNS Maury (T-AGS-66) US Navy Photos

Two Navy ships christened with names tied to the Confederacy should be renamed, according to the commission tasked with purging Confederate names from the Department of Defense.

According to the latest report released on Tuesday, The Naming Commission recommended new names for Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) and the oceanographic survey ship USNS Maury (T-AGS-66).

The Japan-based cruiser...

https://news.usni.org/2022/09/13/commission-recommends-renaming-two-navy-ships-with-confederate-ties

Military Naming Commission Report on U.S. Military Academies

The following is the Aug. 29, 2022, report from the Naming Commission on recommended changes to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy to rename assets named for those affiliated with the Confederacy.

From the report

This is Part II of the Naming Commission’s Final Report, which addresses assets on the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point and the United States Naval Academy (USNA) at Annapolis and fulfills the requirements mandated by the National...

https://news.usni.org/2022/08/30/military-naming-commission-report-on-u-s-military-academies

House Passes FY2023 Defense Bill Authorizing 13 Battle Force Ships, Saves 5 LCS

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125) launching at Ingalls Shipbuilding on June 5, 2021. HII Photo

The House voted to approve its $839 billion defense authorization bill that raises the topline for defense spending by $37 billion and signed off on major additions to the Department of the Navy’s budget.

In a 329-101 vote, the bill authorized 13 battle force ships for the service – five more than the Navy requested in this year’s budget request.

The bill authorizes an...

https://news.usni.org/2022/07/14/house-passes-fy2023-defense-bill-authorizing-13-battle-force-ships-saves-5-lcs

Congress Considering New Leave Rules for Sailors, Marines Seeking Abortions

NASA Photo

Congress is considering new legislation that would remove a barrier for sailors and Marines to get time off for abortions.

Currently, the Navy and Marine Corps do not have a leave policy that would allow pregnant service members to get abortions, especially those that require leaving the state. Although Tricare, the military insurance, covers abortions when the mother’s life is at risk or in the case of rape, federal funding cannot be used for abortions, meaning most service members...

https://news.usni.org/2022/07/06/congress-considering-new-leave-rules-for-sailors-marines-seeking-abortions

HASC’s FY 23 NDAA Authorizes 13 Ships, Establishes Naval Review Committee

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG-114) pulls alongside the Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO-200) in preparation for a replenishment-at-sea in the South China Sea on Feb. 10, 2022. US Navy Photo

The House Armed Services Committee approved the annual defense policy bill early Thursday that would authorize the Navy to buy a total of 13 ships.

The committee’s version of the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization...

https://news.usni.org/2022/06/23/hascs-fy-23-ndaa-authorizes-13-ships-establishes-naval-review-committee

HASC Chair Smith Says Higher Defense Spending On the Way; Ukraine Invasion Made Budget ‘More Complicated’

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, Chairman of the House Armed Service Committee, is briefed on the capabilities of the F-35A Lightning II during his visit at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 10, 2019. The congressman learned about several aspects of the 56th Fighter Wing F-35 pilot training and how the wing works to enhance lethality and readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jensen Stidham)

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has increased bipartisanship support for foreign policy on Capitol Hill,...

https://news.usni.org/2022/03/03/hasc-chair-smith-says-higher-defense-spending-on-the-way-ukraine-invasion-made-budget-more-complicated

CNP Nowell: Navy Short More Than 5,000 Sailors for At-Sea Billets

Ensign Sofia Bliek, from Vernon, Conn., on Feb. 6, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Navy has 5,000 to 6,000 gaps for sailors at-sea billets, the service’s senior personnel officer told a House panel on Tuesday.

The Navy currently has 145,000 billets at sea, Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. John Nowell said during a House Armed Services subcommittee on military personnel hearing. Following the fatal collisions of 2017, the Navy added 23,800 sea billets in an effort to buttress manning on surface ships....

https://news.usni.org/2022/02/09/cnp-nowell-navy-short-more-than-5000-sailors-for-at-sea-billets

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