Heather Mongilio

Trump has accused boat crews of being narco-terrorists. The truth, AP found, is more nuanced One was a fisherman struggling to eke out a living on $100 a month. Another was a career criminal. A third was a former military cadet.

Who are the people on the suspected drug boats? @apnews.com identified a few: apnews.com/article/trum...

U.S. Strikes Suspected Narco Boat in Caribbean, 3 Killed - USNI News U.S. forces struck a suspected drug boat Thursday in the Caribbean Sea, killing three people on board. “The vessel was trafficking narcotics in the Caribbean and was struck in international waters. No...

At @usni.org, we are reporting the death toll from these strikes as 70. That's because the Mexican Navy called off the search for one of the people initially said to be a survivor of a strike. news.usni.org/2025/11/07/u...

Navy Probes USS Nimitz Fuel Supply After Crashes, Trump Points to ‘Bad Fuel’ - USNI News The Navy is investigating the fuel supply of aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) as a possible cause for two U.S. aircraft crashes in the South China Sea, President Donald Trump told reporters during...

The Navy is investigating USS Nimitz’s fuel supply as it looks into what caused two aircraft to crash in South China Sea. news.usni.org/2025/10/27/n...

Super Hornet, Helicopter Assigned to USS Nimitz Crash in South China Sea in Separate Incidents, Crew Safe - USNI News An F/A-18F Super Hornet and an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) crashed in the South China Sea on Sunday in two separate incidents in the Pacific, USNI News ...

USS Nimitz lost two aircraft while sailing in the South China Sea (via @samlagrone.bsky.social) news.usni.org/2025/10/26/s...

Hegseth Orders USS Gerald R. Ford to U.S. Southern Command - USNI News Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has tasked aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and its escorts to U.S. Southern Command to support the Trump administration’s ongoing counter-drug efforts, a Pe...

On Ford: news.usni.org/2025/10/24/h...

U.S. Military Strikes 10th Suspected Narco Boat Killing Six, Pentagon Says - USNI News The U.S. military destroyed a suspected drug smuggling vessel in the Caribbean, killing six, Pentagon officials said Friday. U.S. forces carried out a “lethal kinetic strike” on the boat overnight, De...

Some big news out of U.S. Southern Command as the Pentagon announces a 10th strike and that the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is heading there.
news.usni.org/2025/10/24/u...

October is National Domestic Violence (Intimate Partner Violence) Awareness Month. I would like to be able to expand reporting on this in the context of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. If you're interested in talking, reach me here or on Signal (HMongilio.52)

Suicide Prevention Resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
Military Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233)

Sailor Found Dead in Great Lakes Navy Housing, Local Coroner Says - USNI News A Navy sailor died on Oct. 10 in an apparent homicide, the Lake County, Ill., Coroner’s Office told USNI News. The preliminary investigation by the North Chicago Police Department indicates John Taylo...

A Navy sailor was found dead in Navy housing near Great Lakes Naval Station. Prelim investigation suggest it was a homicide. news.usni.org/2025/10/21/n...

For those who don’t deal with the media, there are two things to know about “off the record.” First, both parties must agree. Second, you have to say it before the conversation begins. Think of it like a verbal contract between the two parties.

Pentagon's press pool walks out - ABC listen Journalists covering the Pentagon have turned in their press badges and emptied their offices over drastic new restrictions on their reporting.

I will say I have a voice for print, but I spoke to @ABCaustralia’s Radio National Breakfast about the majority of the Pentagon press corps turning in our badges yesterday. www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

YouTube video by The Bulwark Dozens of Reporters Walked Out of the Pentagon (w/ Mallory Shelbourne)

My coworker Mallory talked with @thebulwark.com about the majority of the Pentagon press corps turning in their badges instead of signing a new policy that would limit the ability to report. Give it a watch. youtu.be/_OzNLboxPAw?...

What Do the New Pentagon Press Reporting Rules Say? The new rules codify strict limitations on access and raise the prospect of punishment for requesting information on matters of public interest.

What is in the Pentagon requirements for a press badge, which most news organizations, declined to sign? Here’s a breakdown by @nytimes.com: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

The Naval Safety Command has not posted its fiscal year-end summary of mishaps, which include sailor and Marine deaths. The report usually comes out in October. This is likely due to the government shutdown.

Reporters leave Pentagon en masse after refusing to sign on to new rules After turning in their press credentials, journalists covering the Defense Department walked out rather than comply with its restrictive new policies.

NEW for @washingtonpost.com:

Pentagon reporters exited the building in unison Wednesday after turning in their badges, having refused to sign the Defense Department's press policy.

@nancyayoussef.bsky.social called it a “sad day for those who support a free press.”

Pentagon Press Association statement on today

It’s such a tiny thing, but I was really proud to see my picture up on the wall of Pentagon correspondents. Today, I’ll hand in my badge. The reporting will continue. Reach me on Signal at HMongilio.52 or at hmongilio@usni.org

Defense Trade Press Statement on Media Restrictions at the Pentagon - USNI News The following is the Oct. 15, 2025, defense trade press statement on media restrictions at the Pentagon. The statement is co-signed by USNI News. For decades, the defense trade media has been a truste...

“This policy threatens to punish reporters who ask legitimate questions in the course of their daily work and to impose material harm on our news organizations for factual reporting.” news.usni.org/2025/10/15/d...

You can always reach me here with tips, as well as on Signal at @HMongilio.52. (Or hmongilio@usni.org)

Yes, the restrictions to the Pentagon are an obstacle, but reporters are used to obstacles. It won’t stop us from doing our jobs and reporting on and about the military and Defense Department. I have many stories I’m working on, and this will not change.

There’s a lot to be said about the Pentagon restriction’s on press freedom and why so many of us are turning in our badges. But so many have already put it in good words. So here’s what I’ll say: tomorrow, I’m going to do my job. And the next day. And the next day.

MRE Remains Opposed to Pentagon Pledge - Military Reporters and Editors News from Military Reporters and Editors - MRE for reporters, editors, digital, photo and visual journalists covering the military, national security and defense.

“Make no mistake – this is an unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and on the American people, who deserve accurate reporting on how the world’s largest military is funded and managed with their tax dollars.” www.militaryreporters.org/2025/10/mre-...

WaPo joins NYT, CNN, The Atlantic, Guardian and others, according to @ScottNover, in announcing it won't sign the Pentagon's controversial new press policy.

If anyone wants to talk Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard personnel stories, I can always be found on Signal.

Journalists are people. And these types of tweets and messages have consequences. A reminder that during the first Trump administration, five people were killed at The Capital in Annapolis.

Mariner Dies From Injuries Sustained in Late September Houthi Attack - USNI News A merchant sailor has died from injuries he received in a Houthi attack on M/V Minervagracht last month, the company that operates the ship said this week. With the death of the mariner, the Houthis h...

A mariner died from his injuries sustained in a late September Houthi attack, bringing the total of Houthi-caused deaths from attacks on commercial ships to at least 18. news.usni.org/2025/10/10/m...

I particularly would like to draw the attention of @lastweektonight.com and @thedailyshow.com, who I feel could do a good piece on this.

There are a lot of concerning things happening with the press, and it would be great if they got as much attention as Jimmy Kimmel did when he was taken off air. (shout out to @jimmykimmel.com for highlighting them in his monologue.)

Marines, Sailors Required to get Flu Shot Despite Pentagon Policy Change - USNI News Active-duty Marines and sailors must still get the annual flu shot, despite changes to the Pentagon’s policy, a Defense Department official confirmed to USNI News. The Pentagon released new guidance i...

Active-duty sailors, Marines still required to get flu vaccine: news.usni.org/2025/10/02/m...

SHUTDOWN: Resources Available to Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Civilian Workers - USNI News The partial U.S. government shutdown threatens to leave thousands of sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and women and civilian workers without pay, while non-essential operations grind to a halt due to...

Here’s how the shutdown affects sailors and Marines. news.usni.org/2025/10/02/s...