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Army raises enlistment age to 42, eases marijuana restrictions
New recruiting rules bump the age limit for recruits from 35 to 42. Easing restrictions on a single marijuana possession conviction “accounts for changes in society,” one expert said.
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National Guard mobilized for search and rescue operations amid Hawaii floods
Troops have helped rescue more than 200 people as large parts of Oahu remain drenched from flash floods in recent days.
Army receives a new Black Hawk helicopter, pilot optional
The new H-60Mx now goes to testing as the Army works to expand its autonomous and remote-controlled arsenal.
French sailor goes running, reveals flagship’s location via fitness app
Update the safety brief.
Pentagon wants to increase naval, special operations capabilities on Greenland
U.S. Northern Command is seeking an agreement with Denmark to expand its operations on the island to three new areas.
US orders more warships, thousands of Marines to the Middle East
The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, carrying the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is the second naval and Marine force ordered to join the war in Iran.
Air Force training instructor faces court-martial for sleeping with trainees
The charges against Staff Sgt. Davonte Hardaway come more than a decade after a similar scandal at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland rocked the Air Force.
Marines can now use optical sights with pistols for qualifying
Marines can now use a ‘red dot’ optic when qualifying in the Combat Pistol Program, which is required for specific jobs and units that issue sidearms.
Pentagon cracks down on religious waivers for beards
Troops must now submit sworn written statements about their religious beliefs, and could face disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for ‘false statements.’
US Apache helicopters attack Iranian militias in Iraq, Chairman of Joint Chiefs says
At the same conference, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs also revealed that A-10s were actively hunting down Iranian fast attack boats.
Army reservist receives Purple Heart as she retires, a decade after combat
“I remember initially thinking, ‘I don’t deserve a Purple Heart,’” said Sgt. 1st Class Christina Larson. “What do I get a Purple Heart for? I have all my limbs. I’m not in a wheelchair.”
USS Gerald R. Ford en route to Greece for repairs after fire
A fire broke out March 12 in the main laundry spaces of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which has seen combat in two hemispheres during eight months at sea. One sailor was medically evacuated the following day.
As Iran war slows global shipping, military family moves face delays
Military families moving to and from overseas assignments should be ready for weeks of shipping delays due to Iran war disruptions. Domestic moves face higher gas prices and traffic snarls.
The Army has another new rifle, the XM8 carbine
The Army is expected to begin fielding the XM8, a shorter, lighter carbine version of the M7 Next Generation Squad Weapon rifle, towards the end of the year.
Soldiers remember a leader killed in Kuwait as ‘surrogate dad’
Soldiers and veterans who knew Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan are raising money to ensure dozens from his Iowa-based unit can attend his memorial service.
At least 200 US troops wounded in Iran war, Pentagon says
Officials said 10 U.S. troops have been seriously wounded. Most others have returned to duty.
Navy says USS Nimitz will put off retirement and stay in service into next year
The aging aircraft carrier is currently deployed to Latin America, on what was to be its final voyage. The delivery of its replacement, the USS John F. Kennedy, has also been delayed.
Task & Purpose was founded in 2014 to cover the military and veteran community from a rank-and-file perspective, and continues to do so with accurate reporting and great storytelling to this day. Our journalists have reported on the front lines of the Standing Rock protests in North Dakota and the war in Afghanistan. We’ve uncovered American veterans being abused in Kuwaiti prisons, deported veterans being forced to work for Mexican cartels, and drawn national attention to a longstanding legal rule barring service members from suing the government — even in the face of gross negligence.
