Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell would not take the bait yesterday as reporters questioned whether the now-extended grounding of the F-15 fleet would prompt senior DOD leaders to support continued F-22 production. He reminded them that “as a rule” Pentagon officials “do not talk about internal discussions [or] deliberations about recommendations we will make to the President on any program.” [Not officially, that is.] Morrell did add that the Pentagon has had discussions “with interested members of Congress, … and we certainly welcome their input.” That’s good because a slew of lawmakers are putting their two cents in.
Unit commanders are being told to separate service members who can’t shave their cheeks and chin for medical reasons for more than a year, according to new guidance from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.