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

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Right: Terry McIntosh, kneeling, with retired Lt. Col. Al Kittredge at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in June 2026. Left: An undated photo of McIntosh during his time in the Army.
Army

At 18, he fought with Green Berets in Vietnam. Now, he finally has his Special Forces tab.

At 18 in Vietnam, Terry McIntosh fought as a Special Forces soldier, though it wasn’t until this year that his service as a Green Beret was officially recognized.

Capers Ripley Dockery 2026
Marine Corps

Three officers who overcame desperate odds receive Medals of Honor

Two Marines who served heroically in Vietnam and an Army officer who used his body to shield a soldier in Afghanistan received the award.

After two full days and nights of events to test their stamina, technical prowess and mental acuity, the remaining teams crossed the finish line April 12, 2026 at the National Infantry Museum in Columbus Georgia, concluding the 2026 Best Ranger Competition. Sgt. Drew Schorsh and Spc. Caleb Godbold, representing the 75th Ranger Regiment, was the winning team. (U.S. Army photo by Patrick A. Albright)
Army

Specialist and sergeant win Best Ranger competition for first time in nearly 40 years

“We had each other’s back, and knew that when one of us was in trouble, the other was there to carry the load.”

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KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN - NOVEMBER 11: Lights from various take-aways and fast food outlets still operating illuminate diners eating at the Broadwalk at Kandahar airfield on November 11, 2014 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Now that British combat operations have ended and the last UK base in Afghanistan had been handed over to the control of Afghan security forces, any remaining troops are leaving the country via Kandahar. As the drawdown of the US-led coalition troops heads into its final stages, many parts of Kandahar airfield - once home to tens of thousands of soldiers and contractors - are being closed or handed over to the Afghans. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Army

New Army program will let some soldiers use meal cards at Subway, Burger King, Starbucks

The new program at Fort Stewart, Georgia, will give soldiers the ability to use their meal cards at chain restaurants on base.

Pvt. Isabella Gonzales and 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan.
Army

Pentagon identifies 2 of the US soldiers killed in Iranian strike on Jordan base

1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan and Pvt. Isabella Gonzales were killed in an Iranian attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Andy Ngo, an Arkansas native and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialist assigned to the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, participates in a polar plunge during cold weather training at Camp Dawson, Feb. 10, 2026. The training equipped Marines and Sailors with the knowledge and skills to manage the effects of cold-water submersion and execute active rewarming procedures in preparation for Arctic Edge 26. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Amy Espinoza)
Marine Corps

Marine Corps issues new rules to prevent heat and cold injuries

The new guidance, the first in 11 years, emphasizes monitoring and collecting data on conditions and Marines’ well being.

M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) conduct live-fire missions during Operation Epic Fury in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Army Photo) Part of this photo was blurred for security purposes.
Iran

US service member killed in Iraq during a ‘controlled detonation’ of an Iranian munition

The death comes a day after two troops were killed in a drone and missile attack in Jordan.

The USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. (WPC 1147) John Scheuerman (WPC 1146) sail across the Atlantic Ocean, June 22, 2022. The Clarence Sutphin Jr. is the U.S. Coast Guard’s sixth 154-foot Sentinel-class cutter assigned to Patrol Forces Southwest Asia and will be homeported in Manama, Bahrain. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jessica Fontenette) 
Coast Guard

Coast Guard shifts cutter squadron from Middle East to Pacific

The squadron, previously operating as Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, is now based out of Singapore and Subic Bay.

A U.S. Army air defense artilleryman works to place an MIM-104 Patriot missile system into operation in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The Patriot is the Army’s primary terminal-phase anti-ballistic missile system. (U.S. Army photo) 
Iran

Two US troops killed, one missing in Iranian attack on Jordan

Iranian drones and missiles targeted several American bases in the Middle East Friday.

Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna.
Air Force

Space Force identifies airman killed in accident at Vandenberg

Airman 1st Class Cedric Eneluna died Thursday after the heavy machinery he was operating rolled off an embankment at the Space Force base.

The commander of the Blue Angels said Thursday that a low pass over a Pensacola, Florida, beach was "unsafe."
Navy

Blue Angels commander calls beach flyover ‘unsafe’

“The pilot found himself, unfortunately, in a situation that we would deem unsafe over the beach,” said Capt. Adam Bryan. “We never intend to fly over the crowd that low.”

Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations, salutes side boys during the U.S. Fleet Forces Command assumption of command ceremony in the hangar bay aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Dec 1. USFFC is responsible for manning, training, equipping and providing combat-ready forces forward to numbered fleets and combatant commanders around the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dustin Knight/Released) 
Navy

Navy orders removal of commanders’ portraits, bios, on service websites

Official portraits and biographies released by the Navy create an “elevated risk” for sailors and their families, the Navy said.

Arkansas Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters conduct a flyover from Camp Joseph T. Robinson to Northwest Arkansas in support of America 250 celebrations, July, 2, 2026. The flyover showcased the Arkansas National Guard's continued service to the state and nation while commemorating the 250th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by 2nd Lt. Jenna D'Orazio)
Army

Army helicopter pilots to take solo flights in training for first time in decades

The students’ cross-country flights take place before their “check ride,” which is a culminating event where they are assessed on the totality of their skills.

An Airman assigned to the 36th Mobility Response Squadron waits for the signal to hook up a helicopter expedient refuel system (HERS) to a C-130J Super Hercules, assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron, during exercise COPE NORTH 2018 at Tinian, U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Feb. 26. A HERS is a deployable fueling system capable of storing 3,000 gallons of fuel. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Juan Torres Chardon)
Air Force

Air Force’s new basic training takes shape as recruits work on real planes

Air Force recruits went through basic training without any exposure to planes. Now, boot camp will revolve around them.

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Joshua T. Libro, incoming company first sergeant, Drongo Company, 7th Psychological Operations Battalion (Special Operations) (Airborne), 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), salutes the company guidon before the longstanding Army tradition of the passing of the colors during a company activation ceremony on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, July 15, 2026. The activation of Drongo Company marks a milestone among Army Special Operations Forces to meet the growing demands of the United States Army. The newly activated company provides operational flexibility for commanders to execute a wide array of Special Operators Forces core activities throughout the world while maintaining a high degree of operational readiness. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Seu Chan)
Army

Army stands up new PSYOP Company focused on Africa

The “Drongo” Company, 7th Psychological Operations Battalion, will carry out missions under U.S. Africa Command.

The air conditioning for 4,000 soldiers was turned off last week as part of water conservation efforts after mechanical failures at a water treatment plant.
Army

Barracks air conditioning restored for about 4,000 Hawaii soldiers

Central air conditioning in affected barracks was turned back Thursday, a U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii spokesman said. A water plant failure caused water issues at least four bases.

As the Pentagon announces plans for testosterone testing, experts say replacement treatment for the hormone is not always a quick health fix.
News

Pentagon’s testosterone program builds on ‘operator syndrome’ worries in special operations

Experts who have worked with special ops troops caution that the screening plan must be cautious with testosterone replacement, which carries significant side effects.

Soldiers
News

Divisive veterans benefits bill stalls in the House

The House of Representatives postponed a vote on the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act on Thursday.

An inmate at a Seattle-area jail fooled workers at Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities into handing over personal information for sick veterans.
Veterans

Veterans in VA care targeted by inmate in elaborate phone scam

From inside a Washington jail, an inmate targeted seriously ill veterans at VA facilities, fooling staffers into revealing personal information.

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Tech & Tactics

The Navy christened the USS George M. Neal, shown in this April photo, on July 11, 2026.
Navy

Navy ship honors sailor from famed North Korea rescue mission

Navy

US uses drone boats for first time in latest Iran strikes

News

The Pentagon says drones are not a ‘silver bullet’ in its new handbook on fighting them

History

80 years ago, the military tested nukes on a fleet

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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.

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