On The Radar: New Boss for the Coast Guard, Trump Floats Sending National Guard to Airports, Army Raises Enlistment Age

Here's what's on the radar in military life this week. The Coast Guard officially has a new civilian boss as questions about pay and funding uncertainty continue. The Senate has confirmed Senator Mark Wayne Mullen as DHS Secretary, stepping in during a major standoff tied to immigration policy. Mullen replaces Kristi Noem and leaves behind his Senate seat after a contentious confirmation. Now he takes over at a critical moment with funding, enforcement and workforce concerns still unresolved. Meantime, the National Guard could soon be deployed to U.S. airports as the federal response to ongoing travel disruptions expands. On Truth Social, President Trump said he may call up Guard troops while ICE agents are already assisting TSA at a dozen or more major airports nationwide. Several reports on social media show ICE agents now conducting ID checks and helping with security procedures at some locations. The move comes as staffing shortages and missed paychecks tied to the DHS shutdown strain airport operations. Think you've aged out of joining the Army? Not so fast. The service is raising its enlistment age to 42 and easing rules for recruits with a single marijuana possession conviction. The changes take effect April 20th and are designed to bring in a broader, more experienced talent pool. It comes as the Army looks to boost recruiting amid increasing global demands. And for 100 years, soldiers have stood watch over one of America's most sacred sites, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, through hurricanes, snowstorms and even global pandemics. But how did that tradition begin and what does it truly represent? From its origins after World War I to the elite guards who protect it today, there's more to this story than most people know. Read the full history now on VeteranLife.com. That's your briefing. Make sure to follow along so you never miss what's on the radar.