Task & Purpose. News, culture, and analysis by and for the military community.

Top Story

Task & Purpose Video

Each week on Tuesdays and Fridays our team will bring you analysis of military tech, tactics, and doctrine delivered from a rank-and-file perspective.

Visit The Channel

More from Task & Purpose

260529-N-YM856-1452 GULFPORT, MS (May 29, 2026) Sailors try new menu options during the reopening of Colmer Dining Facility following the facility’s food service transformation, May 29. The “campus style” dining pilot program is part of the Navy’s shore food service transformation initiative to provide an improved galley experience to support warfighter readiness, wellness, and performance through better nutrition. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brittney Kinsey)
Navy

Navy wants to let sailors use meal cards at restaurants on base

The service is testing a pilot program where sailors can swipe their meal cards at restaurants on base — with the intent of one day moving to chain restaurants.

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Russel Hull, senior enlisted leader of 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, stops for a photo at his graduation from the Army's Sapper Leader Course. Hull is the first sergeant major to graduate from the course since 2010. (U.S. Army photo by Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office)
Army

43-year-old sergeant major completes Army Sapper Course

“There was a few minutes where I wanted to quit, because I was just like, ‘What am I doing? I’m 43 years old. I’ve been in the Army over 20 years. Why am I POW crawling up this hill right now?”

Capt. Leon Davis of the 688th Cyberspace Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, conducts cyber operations planning with a team as part of Savage Cerberus 24, a two-week cyber exercise aimed at responding to simulated malicious cyberspace activities. With a total force engagement across the cyber domain, Savage Cerberus consisted of 120 members and was the fifth iteration of the wing's flagship exercise. The completion of this exercise marks a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to strengthen the U.S. military's cyber capabilities. Photo by Kyle Burns.
News

Officers only: New report lays out what a ‘US Cyber Force’ could look like

Experts with two military think tanks argue that a force of officers and warrant officers is better suited to retain the talent needed for digital conflict.

Retired Col. Bruce Crandall
News

Medal of Honor recipient and legendary Vietnam War helicopter pilot ‘Old Snake’ has died

“He kept flying until every wounded man had been evacuated and every need of the battalion had been met.”

The USS Herring submarine's final resting place was confirmed 82 years after it disappeared.
World War II

Navy researchers find wreck of World War II submarine that vanished 82 years ago

The USS Herring saw action in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific before it went missing June 1, 1944, north of Japan.

Harriers Sundown
Marine Corps

A final public flight for the Marine Corps’ legendary Harrier jet

“The Harrier didn’t need an airfield. All it needed was a Marine flying it.”

Lauren Palladini, with her daughter Everly and husband, underwent numerous surgeries after her Army doctors caused major internal bleeding during a 2019 C-section delivery.
News

The military has approved less than 10% of medical malpractice claims since 2020

Military members have filed 764 claims of malpractice in military health care under a 2019 law. Only 73 have been approved for compensation.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Terrance Greenwood, 40th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron C-130 loadmaster, conducts final checks to ensure security of container delivery system bundles before loading onto an aircraft at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, July 5, 2023. The 40th EAS provides U.S. Air Forces Central a global reach tactical airlift mission capability and is a prime transport for airdropping and transiting personnel and equipment into hostile areas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Isaac Garden)
Iran

Iranian missiles target U.S. base in Kuwait as both sides keep trading fire

The U.S. military shot down Iranian missiles targeting American forces in Kuwait on Sunday night. Several U.S. troops were reportedly injured in similar strikes last week.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force John Bentivegna delivers his keynote “The Guardian Experience: Answering the Call, Building the Force” during the Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Md., Sept. 23, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)
Culture

Chief Master Sergeant of Space Force’s Instagram hacked

John Bentivegna’s Instagram page posted several pro-Iranian stories and images on Sunday night over several hours.

U.S. Marines with Maritime Raid Force, Littoral Combat Force-24, move to their objective after fast-roping off of a UH-1Y Venom assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced), LCF-24, during a Maritime Interdiction Operation Full Mission Profile rehearsal aboard San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) while underway in the Caribbean Sea, May 22, 2026. U.S. military forces are deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility in support of Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking, deter malign actors and protect the homeland through continuous presence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo) 
Americas

Death toll from US strikes on suspected drug boats passes 200

The military has carried out 62 airstrikes on alleged drug traffickers as part of Operation Southern Spear since September.

U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion traverse an obstacle course training event at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, April 10, 2026. The O-Course is a series of obstacles designed to build recruits’ strength, agility, endurance and confidence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Adrian Guerrero Martinez)
Veterans

Veteran homelessness dropped only 1% during 2024

It’s a notable slowing in the decline of veterans experiencing homelessness, although the total number of homeless veterans is still far below the high in 2010.

A U.S. Sailor stands watch in the pilot house of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103), May 18, 2026. Truxtun is deployed to U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo)
Iran

US forces fire Hellfire missile to disable ship trying to break its blockade

The Gambia-flagged merchant ship Lian Star is currently adrift.

Featured Art: An F-35A Lightning II sits ready to taxi prior to a deployment from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in March 2025. (United States Air Force photo by Capt. Nathan Poblete) 
Air Force

F-35 pilots receive Distinguished Flying Crosses for Midnight Hammer, missions in Yemen

Six airmen received the top flying honor while several more were awarded Bronze Stars for their roles in strikes against Houthis and Iran last year.

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Robert Marquez, a platoon commander with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, leads Marines during a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel training as part of a MEU exercise on U.S. Army Fort Novosel Louisville, Alabama, April 16, 2026. This exercise sharpened the 24th MEU’s command and control capabilities, ensuring seamless communication and decisive action for our upcoming deployment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Bolin Jr.)
Marine Corps

24th Marine Expeditionary Unit deploys to Caribbean

1,300 Camp Lejeune-based Marines will replace the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which wrapped a 10-month-long deployment to the region.

Marine Sergeant
Marine Corps

Marines can be promoted to sergeant much faster under new policy

A 45-year-old Illinois National Guard trainee, who joined the military to gain U.S. citizenship, was arrested at Fort Leonard Wood in May for charges of financial fraud in Poland.
News

45-year-old National Guard recruit arrested at basic training was ‘international fugitive’

Marcin Pióro, a Polish citizen, enlisted in the Illinois National Guard and was arrested during basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, according to an Army official.

More Stories

Tech & Tactics

Graphic of the planned Trump-class battleship.
Ships

Why the Navy says it wants 15 battleships

Guns

The special ops replacement for the MK17 SCAR-H will fire 7.62 and 6.5mm ammo

Drones

Green Berets tested glider drones for supply drops during a massive special operations exercise

Artillery

This GPS-guided mortar system is meant to automate the call for fire

SEE MORE

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.

Read Our Story

Our Staff