WASHINGTON - The United States must take advantage of this moment in history to examine the state of the world and to review its defenses, said Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

WASHINGTON - "We've got to wrap our brains around it" is an expression Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld often uses.

WASHINGTON - "AFIS On Assignment" is a weekly publication of the American Forces Information Service.

GULFPORT, Miss. - There are myriad reasons veterans decide to spend the rest of their lives at the Naval Home here.

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va. - President Bush remembered service members who died in defense of America during a Memorial Day ceremony here May 28.

WASHINGTON - With a staff of four service members, the DoD High School News Service manages to reach students in 98 percent of the high schools and colleges in the country to let them know about the varied opportunities in the U.S. military.

WASHINGTON - Chinese officials have agreed to return the damaged Navy EP-3 plane they've held on Hainan Island since April 1 -- in pieces.

WASHINGTON - With a plan in mind and tools in hand, explosive ordnance disposal soldiers spend about five minutes to render safe a bomb that threatens lives or property. They need to trust the suit of armor they wear to survive a detonation should the plan fail.

WASHINGTON - American military might must draw on new technologies and strategies in the 21st Century, but those forces will only be used in accordance with bedrock American values, said President Bush during commencement exercises at the Naval Academy May 25.

WASHINGTON - American military might must draw on new technologies and strategies in the 21st Century, but those forces will only be used in accordance with bedrock American values, said President Bush during commencement exercises at the Naval Academy May 25.

ARLINGTON, Va. - In December 1999, TRICARE was facing 30,535 claims still unpaid after 60 days. By March 2001, the grand total rode at four -- a 99.99 percent drop.

WASHINGTON - One hundred members from all five armed services raised their right hands May 23 and re- upped in the White House East Room.

WASHINGTON - "AFIS On Assignment" is a weekly publication of the American Forces Information Service.

WASHINGTON - No matter where you are at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, take a minute to remember why Americans mark the day.

WASHINGTON - "It drives like a Caddy," was Pfc. Shaun Ratcliff's assessment of the new Army Light Armored Vehicle III displayed at the Pentagon May 17.

WASHINGTON - Equipment and food from the Army Soldier Systems Center in Natick, Mass., has been on the top of the world since March 11.

WASHINGTON - From the Pentagon, there is visible a small, gently rolling corner of Arlington Cemetery. One cannot look upon its headstones, row on row, without being powerfully reminded of the great spirit of service and sacrifice that has defined this country from its very beginnings.

WASHINGTON - Since 1868, Americans have celebrated Memorial Day to honor those who fought and died to preserve our freedom. We set aside one day each year to pause and reflect on the debt of gratitude we owe to the brave patriots who stood in the breach when the defense of liberty demanded the ultimate sacrifice.

WASHINGTON - Many travelers have asked, "Why did customs take my ham and cheese sandwich and apple?"

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. - U.S. service members are changing the military to meet the threats of the 21st century, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said today during Armed Forces Day ceremonies here.

WASHINGTON - U.S. service members are changing the military to meet the threats of the 21st century, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said May 18 during Armed Forces Day ceremonies at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

WASHINGTON - Officer retention patterns are changing, causing the services increasing worry about continuation rates, particularly among O-3s.

WASHINGTON - "AFIS On Assignment" is a weekly publication of the American Forces Information Service.

WASHINGTON - The Marine Corps and the Army - - America's land combat forces -- are the leaders among the services in teaching troops hand-to-hand combat and martial arts skills.

WASHINGTON - In 11 months, Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Cheryl Stearns hopes to be in a 365-foot polyester balloon on the edge of space 24 miles up and looking down on earth.

WASHINGTON - The Military Traffic Management Command's detailed and easy-to-read Web pages help service members, movers and transportation personnel find up-to- date information about the world of personal property shipments.

WASHINGTON - Dressed all in black, Army Sgt. Joseph Patterson looks like he stepped from the pages of a science fiction book depicting future warfare.

WASHINGTON - First lady Laura Bush announced May 8 that her husband has requested a tenfold increase in funding -- from $3 million to $30 million -- for the Troops to Teachers program next year.

WASHINGTON - Military food has had a bad rap through the ages.

WASHINGTON - It's not sexy building composite armor for the military. It's not the stuff of screaming front-page headlines. But the work is crucial to thousands of American service members whose lives, literally, could depend on the results.

FORT DETRICK, Md. - A small team of scientists on this sleepy base north of Washington played a crucial role in tracking down one of the more visible public health threats to hit North America in the past decade. And they're still working to make it easier for public health departments to fight the disease.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld unveiled a major reorganization of the nation's space program May 8 aimed at protecting U.S. satellites from enemy attack.

WASHINGTON - "AFIS On Assignment" is a weekly publication of the American Forces Information Service.

WASHINGTON - The Marines want people to know about their unusual light armored vehicle that performed distinguished service during the Gulf War.

WASHINGTON - The Land Warrior system may not be fashionable, but it's what the well-dressed infantryman will fight in.

WASHINGTON - America's hot economy may be cooling, but the recruiting environment is still tough and will stay that way through the decade, said Vice Adm. Pat Tracey, deputy assistant secretary of defense for military personnel policy.

WASHINGTON - The military retention picture in DoD is good, but the services must make efforts to ensure personnel with the right mix of skills stay in uniform.

FORT JACKSON, S.C. - First lady Laura Bush announced May 8 that her husband has requested a tenfold increase in funding -- from $3 million to $30 million -- for the Troops to Teachers program next year.

WASHINGTON - Senior DoD officials and equal opportunity specialists gathered here May 7 to hear an Asian American filmmaker noted for his poignant work in interracial communication and the meaning of racism.

WASHINGTON - Relocation is part of life in the military and for some DoD civilian employees. Every permanent-change-of-station order means moving yourself, your family and all your belongings to a new duty location somewhere in the world.

WASHINGTON - You watch "Antiques Roadshow" this fall and learn a chifforobe just like your great- grandmother's is worth $5,000. Dang! If you'd known that you'd have had insurance and squawked more when those butterfingers banged up yours during your summer move.

WASHINGTON - Uprooting a family and moving is one of those challenging life transitions that cause emotional strain, drain one's energy and create all kinds of highs and lows.

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld announced plans May 3 to cut DoD's peak power usage in California to help mitigate that state's growing energy shortage.

WASHINGTON - Help is on the way for some junior-enlisted families who qualify for food stamps -- and some who wouldn't. As of May 1, they can apply for the armed forces' new nontaxable monthly Family Subsistence Supplemental Allowance of up to $500.

WASHINGTON - Some soldiers will don black berets by June 14, but others will receive the Army's new headgear in phases into November, service officials announced May 2.

FORT LEE, Va. - Nearly 400 college and high school students have been named Fall 2001 winners in the first Scholarships for Military Children competition.

WASHINGTON - "AFIS On Assignment" is a weekly publication of the American Forces Information Service.

WASHINGTON - Each year America sets aside a day to commemorate the devotion of our men and women in uniform -- the certain foundation of the liberties and peace that we have enjoyed throughout the history of our nation. Yours is a calling distinct and unique, for you voluntarily put your lives at risk defending the freedoms we hold dear. Indeed, in peacetime or in war, as you work to keep us safe, you assume risks many will never know. And wherever it is that you serve -- in any sky, on any ocean, on any shore -- your dedication to our nation's ideal of "peace through strength" is a source of hope and inspiration for liberty- loving people around the globe.

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush laid out his intention to field a national missile defense system in a speech May 1 at the National Defense University here.

WASHINGTON - Turn on CNN when U.S. troops deploy to some hotspot and you'll see soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines getting off aircraft or coming across the beach.

WASHINGTON - Civilian control of the military is so ingrained in America that we hardly give it a second thought. Most Americans don't realize how special this relationship is and how it has contributed to the country.

WASHINGTON - On the first Armed Forces Day in 1950, President Truman called on Americans to recognize "the skill, gallantry, and uncompromising devotion to duty characteristic of the armed forces in the carrying out of their missions." Today, we continue this tradition as Americans are reminded of the hardships our service members willingly endure to keep this great country free and strong.

WASHINGTON - Help is on the way for some junior-enlisted families struggling to keep food on the table but too proud to accept food stamps.

WASHINGTON - U.S. Central Command officials have determined pilot error was the main cause of the deadly March 12 bombing accident at Kuwaits Udairi Range.