Tech Insider : Business, Politics, Style
A dark phone beneath a microphone
Military influencers are taking over social media and building personal brands in a Pentagon policy gray zone.
Tech Insider : Business, Politics, Travel
Austin von Letkemann
Military influencers are able to talk about military life in ways that advertisements can't — the silly, mundane, gritty, or even just regular struggles — and that authenticity resonates with young people at a time when it's getting harder for services to find fresh recruits.
Tech Insider : Business
Johnny Vargas
Sgt. 1st Class Johnny Vargas is among a rising class of military influencers, and he has built a booming social media and brand business from videos on his phone.
Tech Insider : Business, Politics
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is rerouting the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford,  from the Mediterranean to Latin America, seen here transiting the Strait of Gibraltar, on Oct. 1, 2025.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is rerouting the world's largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, from the Mediterranean to Latin America, seen here transiting the Strait of Gibraltar, on Oct.
Tech Insider : Business, Politics
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth greets troops during a visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, March 25, 2025.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth greets troops during a visit to Marine Corps Base Hawaii, March 25, 2025.
Tech Insider : Business
As women have increasingly found new roles in the US armed forces, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has proposed a review of standards changed since the 1990s.
As women have increasingly found new roles in the US armed forces, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has proposed a review of standards changed since the 1990s.
Tech Insider : Business
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, U.S., September 30, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks to senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, U.S., September 30, 2025. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS
Tech Insider : Business, Technology
A man wearing camouflage lies on the grass shooting a rifle. In the background is a line of trees and a cloudy blue sky.
One of the programs no longer being overseen by DOT&E is the Army's new XM7 rifle, the replacement for the M16/M4 series.