White House says no worries after report claims rebuilding missile inventory used in Iran strikes will take years



Military officials, defense analysts, and critics have warned in recent years about the state of America's military readiness and the risk of exhausting its stores of critical munitions.

The U.S -Israel war with Iran — a conflict which saw a 39-day bombing campaign with over 13,000 targets struck followed by a fragile ceasefire interrupted in recent days and weeks by additional strikes — has spread America's missile inventory particularly thin.

According to a new report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the U.S. "has enough munitions for any plausible scenario in the Iran war, but the depleted inventories have created a window of vulnerability for a potential Western Pacific conflict. The time needed to rebuild those inventories has thus become a major concern."

'Democrats destroyed our military.'

War Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged during a Senate hearing on April 30 that it will take "months and years" to rebuild the military's stockpiles of various munitions. The CSIS report attempts to give a better idea of the turnaround for replenishing the stocks of specific systems.

The think tank estimated, for instance, that the U.S. will not be able to replenish its prewar inventory of Tomahawk cruise missiles — over 850 of which were reportedly fired just in the first four weeks of the conflict and fewer than 200 of which are made per year — back to prewar levels until late 2030 or early 2031.

American Enterprise Institute fellows Mackenzie Eaglen and Todd Harrison noted in an assessment last year that the U.S. expended over 150 THAAD interceptors — terminal high-altitude area defense interceptors — defending Israel in June 2025 during its 12-day conflict with Iran.

At the time, that accounted for nearly 25% of America's total number of THAAD interceptors — each valued at roughly $12.7 million — and reportedly three times the average annual procurement since 2010.

The new CSIS report puts the number of THAAD interceptors used in the current conflict somewhere between 190 and 290.

RELATED: US reaches new ceasefire deal with Iran — but there's a catch

Aftermath of a missile strike on a building in Tehran on March 1. ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images

With a projected annual production capacity of 96 THAAD interceptors at the current maximum rate and a potential expanded annual production capacity of 400 in light of the Trump administration's $1.5 trillion defense budget proposal for 2027, the CSIS report predicts a replenishment of the prewar stock sometime in mid- to late 2029.

An estimated 1,060-1,430 Patriot missiles — a variety of missile Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recently been begging Trump for more of — were fired in and around Iran since Feb. 28. Again, a return to prewar inventory isn't expected until mid-2029.

The estimated turnaround for replenishing the prewar stock of standard missile-3s is early 2029; standard missile-6s is late 2028-early 2029; joint air-to-surface standoff missiles is mid-2027; and precision strike missiles is late 2026.

The analysts suggested that during this inventory gap, some munitions could be substituted, but swaps will invariably carry with them certain downsides.

"Alternative ground attack munitions, for example, are short- or medium-range and increase vulnerability of the launch platforms," said the report. "Alternative counter-drone systems are expensive."

The Trump administration evidently doesn't share the outlook of the report's authors.

Following the publication of the CSIS report, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement to the Military Times that the U.S. military "has more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump’s strategic goals and beyond."

"Even still, the president has urged our defense contractors to constantly produce more made-in-America weapons, which are the best in the world," continued Kelly. "Democrats destroyed our military, but President Trump rebuilt it. Think-tank armchair quarterbacks are not read into sensitive information and have no idea what they’re talking about."

While the military remains tight-lipped about how many missiles and munitions were expended during Operation Epic Fury, the administration was provided with some idea as to how much was spent monetarily.

Jules Hurst III, the Department of War's acting comptroller, testified earlier this month that the U.S. had spent roughly $29 billion on the war.

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Graham Platner Disparaged Army Soldiers in Deleted Reddit Posts: 'Full of Fat, Lazy Trash Who Would Rather Not Be in Uniform'

Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner disparaged Army soldiers in since-deleted Reddit posts, calling the Army an "awful" organization "full of fat, lazy trash who would rather not be in uniform."

The post Graham Platner Disparaged Army Soldiers in Deleted Reddit Posts: 'Full of Fat, Lazy Trash Who Would Rather Not Be in Uniform' appeared first on .

Wes Moore Shirked His Military Obligations for Years, Investigation Finds, Barely Showing Up Despite Army Paying Tuition: Democrat’s Service Record Again Under Fire

Maryland governor Wes Moore’s (D.) military service record has once again come under scrutiny, with a coalition of local news outlets reporting a slew of gaps and discrepancies in his file that suggest the presidential hopeful treated his 17 years in the military as little more than a ticket-punch for his political career.

The post Wes Moore Shirked His Military Obligations for Years, Investigation Finds, Barely Showing Up Despite Army Paying Tuition: Democrat’s Service Record Again Under Fire appeared first on .

Could you pass Pete Hegseth's new Army Combat Field Test? Drop and give us ... 30!



The U.S. Army's about to get a massive fit check — and not the kind where you show off the latest fashions in camouflage.

Effective this month, soldiers will be expected to pass a new, more rigorous Combat Field Test, one Secretary of the Army Hon. Dan Driscoll says will make sure those in the most physically demanding roles to "have the specific fitness required to dominate on the modern battlefield."

'We're asking more of our combat arms Soldiers.'

The new requirements directly affect those designated under combat military occupational specialties, such as infantrymen or combat engineers.

Boot and rally

The annual test must be completed in 30 minutes while wearing the Army Combat Uniform, combat boots, and a brown T-shirt. It consists of the following:

  • A 1-mile run;
  • 30 dead-stop push-ups, which entail coming into direct contact with the ground, briefly lifting the hands, and then pushing up again;
  • A 100-meter sprint;
  • 16 lifts of a 40-pound sandbag onto a 65-inch platform — to simulate throwing a sandbag into a vehicle;
  • A 50-meter carry of two 5-gallon (40 lbs. each) Army water cans (jerricans); and
  • A 50-meter drill consisting of a "25-meter high crawl" and a "25-meter 3-5 second rush" — movements meant to simulate both crawling prone with a rifle as well as sprinting and dropping to the ground to avoid gunfire.

The test concludes with another 1-mile run.

If a soldier can complete this test, they are fit for a combat role in the U.S. Army. However, that is not the only fitness test they'll have to go through.

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- YouTube

Planks for the memories

Those enlisted in combat arms will also have to complete the current annual Army Fitness Test, which is a requirement of all active duty and reserve soldiers.

That test consists of the following:
  • Three deadlifts with the maximum weight possible;
  • As many hand-release push-ups as possible in two minutes — this involves the soldier extending both arms out to their sides when hitting the ground;
  • A "sprint-drag-carry" circuit, in which soldiers drag a sled (or weights) and then carry two 40-pound kettlebells;
  • Holding a plank position until failure; and
  • A 2-mile run.

"This isn't just about passing a test; it's a direct measure of our commitment to readiness and ensuring our warfighters can dominate in any environment," Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Weimer said. "We're asking more of our combat arms soldiers, and this test validates their ability to meet that high standard."

For Pete's sake

Since assuming the office last year, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has made raising military fitness standards a priority.

"It all starts with physical fitness and appearance. If the secretary of war can do regular, hard PT, so can every member of our joint force," Hegseth said in a speech last October.

RELATED: Uncle Sam wants YOU — to obey immigration laws

U.S. Army

The Army notes that if it is determined that a soldier cannot meet the physical standards, they may request a voluntary reclassification to a non-combat role, in order for the Army to retain personnel.

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White House requests $1.5 trillion for Pentagon's 2027 budget. Here's what the administration has in mind.



The Trump White House has proposed that Congress increase the Pentagon's budget by nearly 44% compared to last year to roughly $1.5 trillion and reduce non-defense spending by $73 billion, or 10%.

"This is a $441 billion or 44-percent increase from the 2026 enacted level in combination with the $151.5 billion in mandatory funding provided through the Working Families Tax Cut Act," the budget request says.

While nearly $1.2 trillion of the total would reportedly come from the regular appropriations process, $350 billion would alternatively come through a budget reconciliation bill.

'I'm very wary.'

This request is in addition to the $200 billion supplemental package requested by the Department of War to sustain the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

According to the White House, the requested sum — which would reportedly raise U.S. military spending to its highest level in modern history — would help restore "the readiness and lethality of the force by ensuring America's warfighters are trained, equipped, and medically ready to fight and win."

In addition to funding a pay raise of 7% for all Pentagon military personnel ranked E-5 and below, of 6% for E-6 to O-3, and of 5% for O-4 and above, the requested budget would help:

  • Fund the "next-generation missile defense shield" outlined in President Donald Trump's executive order titled "The Iron Dome for America";
  • "Secure and defend America's vital national and economic security interests in, from, and to space";
  • Fund the procurement of 18 battle force ships and 16 non-battle force ships;
  • Fund the procurement of 12 unspecified "critical" munitions at a time of dwindling stores of Patriot missiles, Standard Missile-3s, and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors;
  • "Fix longstanding shortfalls in the National Defense Stockpile" of critical minerals;
  • Secure 85 F-35 jets;
  • Prioritize the development and production of the F-47, a sixth-generation combat aircraft Boeing won the contract to develop last year;
  • Boost America's drone manufacturing base; and
  • Scale the Armed Forces' "AI ecosystem," among other initiatives.

The White House further proposed that Congress continue to "eliminate millions of wasteful and egregious spending related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and other 'woke' policies" at the Pentagon.

RELATED: America First means taking care of our own, not another war

Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Numerous Democratic lawmakers rushed to criticize the White House's budget request.

Rep. Mike Thompson (Calif.), for instance, stated, "Trump wants $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon while eliminating the programs that help you pay your heating bill, fund your child's education, and keep your family healthy. This isn't a budget. It's a betrayal of the American people."

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) said that "the only responsible thing to do with a budget this morally bankrupt is to toss it in the trash."

There may also be some resistance on the right.

"I'm very wary of voting for excessive spending in defense," said Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett (R), Politico reported.

'It is the most robust increase in defense spending in many years.'

Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) said in an op-ed on Friday that while he supports maintaining America's stockpiles, strengthening the defense industrial base, and maintaining "the capabilities needed to deter China," he "cannot support funding for further military operations without a formal declaration of war."

The budget request has, however, found a number of staunch supporters in the GOP.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a joint statement, "This funding will ensure our military remains the most advanced in the world, supporting an unparalleled force capable of defending our interests in the 21st century."

"America is facing the most dangerous global environment since World War II. Growing threats from adversaries such as China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Islamic radicals, and narco-terrorists require decisive action and renewed urgency to reinvest in our defenses," the duo continued. "This bold commitment provides the resources needed to rebuild American military capability and confront those challenges head-on."

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham (R.) celebrated the budget request, stating, "It is the most robust increase in defense spending in many years, and it is more than justified by the threats we face throughout the world."

Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, said in a note to Congress appended to the budget request, "President Trump promised to reinvest in America's national security infrastructure, to make sure our Nation is safe in a dangerous world. The 2027 Budget upholds this promise and would ensure that the United States continues to maintain the world's most powerful and capable military."

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Sen. Sheehy steps in: 'Unhinged' activist's arm snaps as Capitol Police intervene in Senate hearing gone wild



A Senate Armed Services subcommittee hearing regarding the readiness of the U.S. military was interrupted on Wednesday by a bone-breaking scuffle.

Brian McGinnis, a Marine veteran and firefighter who is running as a Green Party candidate to represent North Carolina in the U.S. Senate, noted in a video taken before the hearing that he intended to ask lawmakers "why they're going to send our men and women to harm's way when our elected officials said that there would be no world war."

Wearing his Marine Corps dress uniform, McGinnis interrupted the hearing with a condemnation of America's involvement in Iran, shouting, "No one wants to fight for Israel," and, "Stand up for America."

'This gentleman came to the Capitol looking for a confrontation, and he got one.'

The Capitol Police said in a statement obtained by the Daily Montanan, "This afternoon, an unruly man who started to illegally protest during a hearing, put everyone in a dangerous position by violently resisting and fighting our officer’s attempts to remove him from the room."

In footage captured by CBS News' Alan He, multiple USCP officers can be seen forcefully ejecting McGinnis from the room with the help of Montana Sen. Tim Sheehy (R), who can be seen grabbing McGinnis' leg and trying to pull him out the door.

Sen. Sheehy, a decorated Navy SEAL veteran who partook in numerous combat deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, said in a statement, "Capitol Police were attempting to remove an unhinged protestor from the Armed Services hearing. He was fighting back. I decided to help out and deescalate the situation."

RELATED: Lindsey Graham feverishly demands ANOTHER Middle Eastern conflict: 'Fly with Israel'

Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Footage of the struggle published by Code Pink, a leftist anti-war group co-founded by former Democratic political activist Jodie Evans, shows McGinnis insert his arm through one doorway while the rest of his person is being forced through an adjacent doorway.

Sheehy can be seen wrapping his arm around McGinnis' shoulder in an apparent effort to free the protester's arm — now trapped by the closing second door — while the officers tug at the protester's legs.

A loud snap can be heard, prompting an onlooker to yell, "His hand! His hand!" and another individual off-screen to utter, "Oh my God."

Amid groans from onlookers, a man off-screen yells, "The senator broke his hand! A sitting U.S. senator just broke the hand of a Marine."

Upon realizing that McGinnis' arm was indeed stuck, the officers momentarily stopped pulling to help Sheehy dislodge the broken limb.

When asked whether his hand was OK, McGinnis said, "No, it's not." He later noted on X that his arm was broken.

While being escorted out of the building, McGinnis — who married a Palestinian and volunteered in 2024 for the pro-Palestinian "Freedom Flotilla Coalition" — shouted, "Free Palestine! From the Halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, Palestine will be free!"

The USCP confirmed that the protester was treated for an injury and now faces three counts of assaulting a police officer and three counts of "resisting arrest and crowding, obstructing, and incommoding for the unlawful demonstration."

Sheehy noted on X, "This gentleman came to the Capitol looking for a confrontation, and he got one. I hope he gets the help he needs without causing further violence."

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Chaplains Punished For Mentioning Jesus Cheer Hegseth’s Return To God-Focused Ministry

The chaplain brings God to the fight, offering something bigger for the soldier to hold on to. It is something an atheist can't offer.

Trump promises 'big damage' after 2 National Guard soldiers killed in Syrian ambush



The United States Army identified two National Guard members who were killed over the weekend in Syria.

On Monday, the Department of the Army identified the soldiers as Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, and Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa.

'Please pray for our Soldiers all around this cruel world.'

The Army's statement says they were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve in Palmyra, Syria, when they were "engaged by hostile forces" and killed Saturday.

Fox News reported that a lone Islamic state gunman targeted a group including Torres-Tovar and Howard. The attack also killed a U.S. civilian interpreter and wounded three more U.S. soldiers.

RELATED: Trump promises 'very serious retaliation' after 'ISIS attack' that killed 2 US Army soldiers, 1 US interpreter in Syria

Operation Inherent Resolve's mission in Syria is "to enable the enduring defeat of ISIS."

Both were assigned to 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division of the Iowa National Guard, Boone, Iowa.

Meskwaki Nation Police Chief Jeffrey Bunn, the father of Howard, released a heartbreaking statement in the wake of the news.

"Today two of our Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers were killed in action along with a Civilian Interpreter in Syria," Bunn said on Sunday.

"My wife Misty and I had that visit from Army Commanders you never want to have. Our son Nate was one of the Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice for all of us, to keep us all safer. He loved what he was doing and would be the first in and last out, no one left behind. Please pray for our Soldiers all around this cruel world. We will see you again son, until then we have it from here."

On Sunday, President Donald Trump promised "a lot of damage done to the people that did it."

"They got the person, the individual person. But there will be big damage done," he added.

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'Rebellion'? Democrat lawmakers urge federal agents to resist Trump agenda in cringe video



Despite internal fractures in their own party, Democrats have rallied on one issue: resisting President Donald Trump and his agenda. On Tuesday, a Democrat senator posted a distressing exhortation titled "Don't give up the ship."

The six Democrats in the video, whose shared experience represents intelligence agencies, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force, delivered a forceful message addressed directly to "members of the military and the intelligence community."

'You can refuse illegal orders.'

"Americans trust their military. But that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens."

RELATED: 'The counteroffensive begins': Report exposes Soros' Open Society funding of alleged pro-terror leftist groups

Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.)Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images

"Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren't just coming from abroad, but from right here at home."

Repeating the statement for effect, they continued, "You can refuse illegal orders."

"No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution. ... But whether you're serving in the CIA, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, your vigilance is critical. And know that we have your back," they said.

They did not identify any allegedly illegal orders issued by President Donald Trump or members of his administration.

The video ended with the final demand: "Don't give up the ship."

Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), and Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) delivered the message.

Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff and homeland security adviser, called out the video on X, saying, "Ten years after the Deep State Russia Hoax, top Democrats openly appeal to CIA and military officials to engage in rebellion against their Commander-in-Chief."

"Do not underestimate how dangerously radicalized the Democrat party has become," Miller added.

Slotkin's post of the video garnered 6.7 million views on X by Wednesday.

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Army, Navy release stunning uniforms ahead of historic matchup honoring America's 250th birthday​



The United States Army and Navy are going all out for the 126th Army-Navy Game.

Over the past decade, the teams have worn special uniforms for the NCAA football rivalry series, but for this year's historic occasion, both teams have stepped their game up.

'We will carry the Army's Warrior Ethos with us onto the gridiron.'

Last week, the Army unveiled their jerseys for the Dec. 13th game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The focus of the design surrounds "250 Years of Service & Sacrifice."

Specifically, the Army fell back on its ethos: "I will always place the mission first, I will never accept defeat, I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade."

Furthermore, the team put added emphasis on the U.S. Constitution and the Revolutionary War with "1775" written on the back of their helmets.

"Washington transformed the Continental Army into a disciplined fighting force. Washington and his soldiers boldly regained the initiative by crossing the Delaware River on Christmas in 1776 and seized Trenton and Princeton," the Army wrote in a press release.

Washington's men were "drilled and disciplined Soldiers able to hold their own against the British, and even to defeat them to secure American independence."

RELATED: Stories Behind the Stars: On a mission to honor every American who died in WWII

Image via United States Army

The uniform uses Constitution-style text on the name plate to honor America's founding documents and to showcase "the importance of having an Army that swears loyalty to a set of ideas rather than a monarch."

It also features the Great Chain, honoring the strategic value of West Point during the American Revolution, as well as purple streaking through the jersey numbers and the helmet, symbolizing the sacrifices made by soldiers and Gold Star families.

The Army cemented its commitment to the defense of liberty in the design, reinforcing its motto, "This we'll defend," while promising victory.

"We will carry the Army's Warrior Ethos with us onto the gridiron in Baltimore as we defeat our rivals and seize the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy," the team said.

— (@)

Navy football also revealed its own iconic uniforms, choosing to focus on the historic copper and the Navy's longest-serving ship.

The USS Constitution gets special recognition from the Navy this year and was heavily used for the uniform's design and inspiration. This includes ship knots around the jersey's sleeves, the American flag, and the nautical Navy and heritage red colors, symbolizing its battle-worn hull.

The USS Constitution is the only remaining frigate from the original six frigates fleet and the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat, according to the Navy.

The ship is nicknamed "Old Ironsides" because cannonballs appeared to bounce off its hull during the War of 1812. It remains undefeated in battle and has never lowed its flag.

RELATED: How a Navy SEAL preached the gospel to millions

Image via United States Navy

As for the copper, the Navy showcases the vital role the metal has played in preserving the original U.S. frigates. Not only does the copper protect the wooden hulls, but it was the material used for the 1797 and 1798 one-cent pieces placed beneath each mast of the USS Constitution for good luck.

The entire helmet is coated in oxidized copper for the 2025 game, along with a detailed sketch of the historic ship. A wooden plank runs down the center of the helmet too, bound by six ropes to honor the original six frigates.

The ropes on the helmet have 126 knots, a reference to the 126th Army-Navy game.

— (@)

Online, the Army's reveal of its uniforms garnered much praise, even from its rivals.

"I'm a Navy veteran but I love the jersey numbers," one X user wrote.

"I hate army but these are clean," another said.

Over on the Navy's X page, comments were cordial with fans saying designers "knocked it out of the park" and provided "incredible storytelling in this design."

According to the game's official website, the 2024 Army-Navy Game drew an average of 9.4 million viewers on CBS, eclipsing the record of 8.45 million set in 1992.

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