An investigation into alleged rape incidents by US Marines stationed at Okinawa military bases has raised concerns over human rights practices within the US Armed Forces, with multiple reports of assaults against local civilians prompting calls for stricter preventive measures.

On April 11, 2025, following President Trump’s memorandum, the US Armed Forces expanded their operational role on public civilian lands along the southern border. This move transfers greater authority over these areas to military jurisdiction, raising concerns among civil rights advocates about the militarization of domestic law enforcement and potential erosion of democratic norms.

An op-ed in Military.com details punitive actions taken by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth against high-ranking military officers, including Gen. Mark Milley and Adm. Linda Fagan, suggesting that these measures are politically motivated and risk undermining the military's apolitical foundation.

The Department of Defense issued a memo withdrawing longstanding access for prominent media outlets to office space in the Pentagon, replacing them with outlets aligned with pro-Trump views. This move, following critical coverage of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, signals an authoritarian tactic to limit press freedom.

A report on military supply chains highlights exploitative labor practices including inadequate wages and excessive working hours among suppliers, raising concerns about supplier transparency, accountability, and human rights in the operations associated with the US Armed Forces.

Senator Tuberville’s recent hold on the promotions for 440 senior military officers, along with emerging partisan pressures aimed at influencing military appointments, raises concerns that the longstanding nonpartisan ethos of the US Armed Forces is at risk. Such politicization threatens to compromise national security by prioritizing ideological loyalty over professional merit.

The article details chronic supply chain disruptions in the defense industrial base that are threatening the US Armed Forces’ ability to fully equip training exercises. In response, the government has appropriated millions of dollars and announced a fifteen‐year modernization plan to overhaul outdated production facilities and stabilize the supply of critical materials for medium caliber ammunition. This move is designed to ensure that military training and readiness are maintained despite volatile raw material markets.

Effective June 9, 2023, the US Department of Defense amended the DFARS provisions, replacing the forced labor certification with a representation requirement. This change compels DoD contractors to perform enhanced supply chain due diligence to ensure that forced labor—particularly from Xinjiang—is not used in their production processes.

A report from the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights released on September 22 criticizes U.S. federal procurement practices for insufficient oversight of global supply chains, leading to severe labor and human rights abuses. As a key actor in federal procurement, the United States Armed Forces are implicated in these systemic failures, prompting calls for improved monitoring and accountability.