Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said he is open to having commanders no longer serve as the convening authority for prosecuting sex crimes in the military—a move some lawmakers are demanding following a series of high-profile sexual misconduct cases in the ranks, reported Stars and Stripes. Welsh told reporters on May 17 that he is willing to consider placing that authority into the hands of specifically trained military prosecutors instead, according to the newspaper. “All options should be on the table” and “I personally am open” to that proposal, he said. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, commanders initiate courts-martial against alleged attackers; opponents of that set-up argue it discourages victims from stepping forward. Asked during a separate briefing on May 17 about changing the authority, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said, “We’re looking at everything. And we are listening to victims carefully, closely.” Earlier this month, Welsh told lawmakers he supported maintaining commanders as the convening authority for courts-martial, but was open to revising the part of the UCMJ that gives them the power to overturn convictions for major offenses. (Hagel-Dempsey transcript) (See also Hagel Recommending UCMJ Changes.)
Celebrating 100 Years of Liquid-Fueled Rockets
March 11, 2026
March 16, 2026, marks 100 years since Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket. Over the past century, new and ever more capable liquid-fueled rockets have literally propelled humanity into space. Why liquid-fueled rockets?