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US military helping plan Venezuela earthquake relief
U.S. Southern Command is working with the State Department as part of the American government’s efforts to help Venezuela following two major earthquakes.
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.
This Air Force officer has set 17 Guinness World Records — so far
Air Force Maj. Johnny Cruz Buckingham, a former tanker pilot, raises money for children’s programs by attempting to set new Guinness World Records.
Soldier who shielded Jewish POWs from guards will receive Medal of Honor
Ordered at gunpoint to separate Jewish soldiers from other POWs, Army Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds called a full formation of Americans and told a German commander: “We are all Jews.”
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More from Task & Purpose
Naval Academy brings back short haircuts for new female midshipmen
The U.S. Naval Academy is once again requiring women to cut their hair short, a regulation that goes back to the first class of women in 1976.
AI is meant to speed up ‘kill chain,’ not control it, commanders say
“The critical distinction is between AI supporting the kill chain and AI controlling the kill chain.”
Last soldier out of Afghanistan now the latest general to step down
A source familiar with the matter confirmed to Task & Purpose that Gen. Christopher Donahue will soon relinquish command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
A third of military families report $500 or less in emergency savings
Emergency savings are commonly looked at as an indicator for whether households can bounce back from unexpected costs or crises.
Marines in Okinawa receive anti-ship and counter-drone weapons systems
One expert described the NMESIS anti-ship system as the “backbone” of the Marine Littoral Regiment.
Coast Guard helicopter crashes in southern Alaska
Four people were onboard the MH-60 Jayhawk when it went down during a training flight.
Air Force technical sergeants see highest promotion rate in 5 years
One of every four eligible staff sergeants will get to sew on an extra stripe in 2026, the highest rate since 2021.
VA chief vows to fire employee accused of abusing Marine veteran at state facility
The incident allegedly took place at the New York State Veterans Home at Montrose and drew the attention and condemnation of the department’s top official.
Space Force to test new mess dress uniform this fall
The Space Force is testing its new mess dress uniform for guardians to wear for formal occasions.
US carries out days of airstrikes in Somalia after a month’s pause
A week of strikes targeted al-Shabab in renewed fighting against the militant group.
Army forms new command to create a ‘covering force’ in the Pacific
The new formation combines the 7th Infantry Division and 1st Multi-Domain Task Force into one command.
VA ends gender identity-based programs, messaging and activities
The new directive reclassifies LGBTQ+ care coordinators as just care coordinators, with advocates and workers concerned for what it means for veterans’ treatment.
Air Force relocates recon drone squadron to Japan
Three of the Air Force’s large RQ-4 Global Hawk drones will be permanently stationed in Yokota Air Base.
Revolutionary War soldier identified after 246 years
Pvt. John Pumphrey was one of 14 soldiers whose remains were found in 2022.
Navy lifts blockade, will keep ships around the Strait of Hormuz
American forces will stay in the area to monitor the ceasefire, U.S. Central Command said.
Flu outbreak leaves nearly 160 Air Force trainees sick
The three-week-long outbreak at Joint-Base San Antonio-Lackland comes two months after the Department of Defense ended its flu vaccine mandate.
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.
