Hundreds of thousands of defense workers are bracing for cuts in work hours and paychecks, thanks to lawmakers who found no way to avoid across-the-board sequestration cuts. Experts fear a lasting impact on morale, recruitment and retention, leading to a brain drain of the Pentagon's best and brightest.

Army officials are considering new rules restricting how women can publicly feed their children after a breastfeeding mom was asked to leave the commissary. The Army says it wants to maintain "a reasonable standard that is in keeping with Army values and community expectations."

After months of dire warnings, the deep budget cuts have started taking hold and there's no evidence officials are moving to reverse the $85 billion in reductions.