Updated: Today in DOW: Feb. 13, 2026

Today in DOW: Feb. 13, 2026 Open Press Events Secretary of War The secretary is traveling.   Read More > Deputy Secretary of War The deputy secretary has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The chairman has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The vice chairman has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Additional Open Press Events   Read More > View All Postings   Contacts Additions and corrections for Today in DOW are invited and should be directed to the press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131 or +1 (703) 697-5132. For additional media information click here. Public Inquiries Contact us for more information, if you have questions or for technical support. Media Questions News media representatives with questions for the Department of War may reach our press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131. Duty Officer A public affairs duty officer is available 24 hours a day through +1 (703) 697-5131.

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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth travels to Fort Bragg, North Carolina

View Online IMMEDIATE RELEASE Secretary of War Pete Hegseth travels to Fort Bragg, North Carolina Feb. 12, 2026 Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will travel to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on Friday, Feb. 13. While at Fort Bragg, he will meet with senior leaders and will engage with troops.

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War Department, USDA Team Up on National Security

View Online War Department, USDA Team Up on National Security Feb. 12, 2026 |  By C. Todd Lopez Secretary of War Pete Hegseth yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, cementing the relationship between the two agencies under the National Farm Security Action Plan, and explaining how they will collaborate when agriculture and national defense intersect. "We're going to promote agricultural and economic prosperity, defend the foundations of agriculture and food ... and strengthen domestic and agricultural productivity," Hegseth said. "Together, we are elevating the protection of U.S. agriculture into America's national security framework by ensuring systems remain protected against potential terror attacks, major disasters and other emergencies, with the full support of the Department of War and the national security enterprise." In July 2025, the Agriculture Department announced the National Farm Security Action Plan, a governmentwide, multiprong effort focused on ensuring America's ability to secure its own food supply, in part by eliminating interference from adversarial nations. Part of that plan involves using presidential authorities to reclaim farmland in the U.S. currently owned by foreign adversaries — such as China — including land owned by adversarial nations that encroaches on U.S. military installations. "When our farmland is threatened, the welfare of the entire nation is put on the line," Rollins said. "It is undeniable that America's enemies are playing the long game, infiltrating our research institutions, stealing our technology, launching cyberattacks on our food system and buying up our farmland. China alone owns 265,000 acres of American agricultural land ... these actions expose strategic vulnerabilities in America's food and agriculture supply chain." The National Farm Security Action Plan is designed to protect America's farmland, and DOW is part of that effort. The MOU solidifies the department's commitment to the plan. "The National Farm Security Action Plan is a necessary step toward safeguarding our homeland against malign foreign influence," Hegseth said. "America is the best of ideas, but America is actually also a place; it is a land ... that we must defend at every single echelon, from space to the farm field." One novel and immediate result of the MOU is that the USDA will have access to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's capabilities. "[DARPA] can do things, they can design things, they can bring things to life that no other agency across the federal government is remotely capable of," Hegseth said. "Working with [USDA], we will ensure agriculture projects directly enhance our military's strength and readiness." While Hegseth and Rollins signed a cabinet-level MOU, another memorandum was signed yesterday between DARPA and USDA's chief scientist. According to a DARPA spokesperson, the memorandum between DARPA and USDA creates a direct path for collaboration on efforts with overlap in national, economic and agricultural security. One example is the DARPA Guardian program, which is developing methods to mitigate the risks posed by non-native pests, including the New World Screwworm, a serious threat to the ranching community, the U.S. food supply and national security. The agreement signed yesterday further demonstrates a whole-of-government approach to tackling this critical problem.

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DOW, TSA Partner to Waive REAL ID Fee for Military Recruits

View Online DOW, TSA Partner to Waive REAL ID Fee for Military Recruits Feb. 12, 2026 |  By Matthew Olay When the day to leave for boot camp finally arrives, military recruits often have a lot of anxious thoughts racing through their minds. "How long will I have to stay awake during the first couple of days? When will I get to talk to my family again? Is it true they make you mow the lawns with fingernail clippers?"  With all those concerns and many others to mull over, having to pony up just south of $50 to be given the privilege of boarding an airplane that's about to shuttle you off to some of the most stressful and demanding seven to 13 weeks of your life — depending on which branch you join — might seem like a slap in the face.  And yet, having to pay to get processed through airport security was the potential reality that thousands of recruits nationwide were facing as of Feb. 1, when the Transportation Security Administration rolled out its ConfirmID program.  Under ConfirmID, airport travelers must either present a REAL ID to security or pay $45 to proceed using a standard ID.  Fortunately, though, the War Department's Office of Personnel and Readiness got ahead of this early by partnering with TSA to ensure recruits who don't possess a REAL ID won't have to dig into their pocketbooks to pass through security.  Even better, recruits are now receiving "white glove treatment" from TSA when processing through airport security en route to basic training.   White glove treatment makes getting through security much quicker and more convenient than standard screening, and it's similar to that afforded to our nation's veterans through the Honor Flight program. Good enough for our nation's current heroes, good enough for our nation's future heroes.   And here's the really good news: the program is working. U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command recently conducted a site visit to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, where they observed recruits shipping out from Chicago MEPS and having no trouble getting through screening.   And this included applicants without REAL-ID-compliant identification.  "Putting our recruits first is a priority. These young men and women have volunteered to serve our nation. When they are shipping out to basic training, we want them focused on the fight, not worried about what type of ID they have or whether they will need to pay a fee to make it there," Undersecretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata recently said of the joint DOW-TSA partnership.  Tata said that it is the War Department's duty to take care of the young men and women who volunteer to serve their country from the moment they sign up to protect the nation, and that the new security screening initiative is a great example of innovation and cross-government collaboration.   "The department identified a challenge and partnered with TSA to put in place a solution, bolting over the bureaucracy to provide thousands of new recruits with the white glove treatment they deserve," Tata added.  One senior TSA official — who served 10 years in the Marine Corps and noted that one in five TSA employees are veterans — concurred that easing young recruits' journey to boot camp should be a top priority.   "TSA is honored to be a part of the journeys young men and women take to reach initial military training and begin their service in America's armed forces. … We are committed to ensuring recruits can stay focused on what lies at the end of their travels, serving America, instead of worrying about how they'll get there," explained Mike Turner, TSA's assistant administrator for domestic aviation operations.  "By leveraging the pre-vetting processes [that] we already have in place, TSA will assist America's newest service members reach their training safely and smoothly," he added.  With airport security crossed off their list of worries, the men and women who raised their right hands and swore an oath in anticipation of embarking on one of the most exciting and honorable adventures they'll ever go on are ready, with or without nail clippers.

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