News study released Tuesday claims 1 in 4 students fail the military entrance exam. And, Petraeus promises villagers, the U.S. will rebuild what it has knocked down.

Obama: Repeal Of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Will Strengthen National Security

Update at 9:58 a.m. ET: Saying that the action will strengthen the nation and end a practice that forced some members of the military to lie about themselves, President Obama this hour signed legislation that repeals the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law that bars openly gay men and women from serving in the U.S. military.

Petraeus promises villagers U.S. will rebuild what it has knocked down

TAROK KALACHEH, Afghanistan — When the top commander in Afghanistan visited this small village in western Arghandab on Monday, there was nothing more to see than an empty field.

After New START, Arms Control Gets More Difficult

The next nuclear arms treaty will be even harder.

After months of debate and delay, the Obama administration appears to have secured the Senate votes necessary to ratify the New START arms reduction agreement with Russia.

APNewsBreak: Nearly 1 in 4 fails military exam

MIAMI (AP) — Nearly one-fourth of the students who try to join the U.S. Army fail its entrance exam, painting a grim picture of an education system that produces graduates who can’t answer basic math, science and reading questions, according to a new study released Tuesday.

Crew keeps blood supply flowing to military hospitals

DOHA, Qatar — Several times a week, a plane with precious, perishable cargo breaks the predawn still of the desert. Sometimes it comes an hour early, sometimes two hours late, but when it lands, Air Force Maj. Brian Dart’s team must act quickly.

SKorea to Hold Massive Drill Near Border

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea vowed Wednesday to “punish the enemy” if the North attacks it again as hundreds of southern troops, fighter jets, tanks and attack helicopters prepared for massive military exercises scheduled because of the high tensions.

Alleged Phony SF Colonel Investigated

When Elon University in North Carolina honored some so-called “hometown heroes” in November, it included a retired Green Beret colonel on a mission to speak out about human trafficking.

Philanthropist Provides Care That The Pentagon Won’t

ATLANTA — One afternoon this fall, Bobby McKinney hunched over a coffee table with a clear glass surface. A lamp with a bare light bulb illuminated it from below. Pencil in hand, the former Marine traced the pattern for a tattoo across delicate paper, a swirling, intricate design reminiscent of a Celtic cross.

Senate Looks To Restrict Guantanamo Prosecutions

The Senate appears poised to approve a measure that would bar the Obama administration from prosecuting Guantanamo detainees in the U.S.

Military Will Write Rules on Gay Ban Repeal

WASHINGTON — No public displays of affection. No separate bathrooms. No harassment and no special treatment.

NATO Denies US Push for Pakistan Raids

KABUL, Afghanistan — The U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan on Tuesday denied reports that American forces are pushing to expand special operations raids into tribal areas of neighboring Pakistan where Islamist militants are known to find refuge.

NATO fails to deliver half of trainers promised for Afghanistan

NATO is not meeting its target for assembling specialized trainers to build up Afghanistan’s army and police forces, the key that would open the way to a withdrawal of coalition troops beginning next year.