Department of Defense

Cpl. Dahlia Dahl sits for a portrait at the St. Louis Public Radio office on Monday, August 11, 2025, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Trans soldiers seek an honorable discharge before Trump’s mandate removes them

Jonathan Ahl

Dahlia Dahl is one of thousands of troops facing investigation and removal after the the Department of Defense announced that trans people can’t serve in the armed forces.

News Briefs

Boeing union workers in Missouri and Illinois reject contract, near possible strike

Jeremy D. Goodwin

Members of the IAM union rejected Boeing’s contract proposal on Sunday, hours before the current deal expired. The union will wait at least a week before potentially calling a strike.

U.S. Army Chaplin says a prayer during the internment of U.S. Corporal Frederick Carrino at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on May 16, 2025.

Government, Politics & Issues

St. Louisans welcome home the remains of Frederick Carrino, missing in Korea since 1950

Andrea Y. Henderson

Army Cpl. Frederick Carrino of St. Louis went missing during the Korean War nearly 75 years ago. His family welcomed his remains home and honored him with a funeral service on May 16.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, speaks during a Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in downtown Belleville, Ill.

Government, Politics & Issues

Trump Defense nominee Hegseth is 'dangerously unqualified,' Duckworth says

Will Bauer

The second-term Democrat has been outspoken in her opposition to Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of defense.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, here in July, has announced a move to require COVID-19 vaccines for all service members.

Government, Politics & Issues

The Pentagon Has Moved Toward Making Vaccines Mandatory For Service Members

James Doubek

"To defend this Nation, we need a healthy and ready force," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a memo to employees. Already, about 62% of active-duty service members are fully vaccinated.