Marty Skovlund Jr., Author at Task & Purpose

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Jan 29, 2018

Analysis

With The Taliban On The Offensive, The Future Of Afghanistan May Depend On This Homegrown Commando Force

Their eyes were painted in the eerie green glow of the night vision devices suspended in front of their faces...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Dec 20, 2017

Analysis

The Longest War: 8 Years After My Last Deployment, I Returned To Afghanistan As A Reporter. Here’s What I Found

You know the story. On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists attacked our nation. A few weeks later, we sent over a...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Nov 21, 2017

Humor

Vacation Rental: Private Room In Cozy Camp, Experience Authentic Afghanistan!

Private Room · Communal Bath · Afghanistan 200 guests · ★★★★☆ 1,182 Reviews Are you looking for adventure in your next...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Nov 15, 2017

Analysis

This Elite Police Force Is Afghanistan’s Secret Weapon Against Violent Extremists

Editor’s note: This is a dispatch by T&P; correspondent Marty Skovlund Jr., reporting on the ground from Afghanistan. “These guys...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Nov 12, 2017

Analysis

‘I Serve Afghanistan!’: Afghan Soldiers Graduate To The Elite Ranks Of Special Forces

Editor’s note: This is a dispatch by T&P; correspondent Marty Skovlund Jr. who is reporting on the ground from Afghanistan....

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Nov 6, 2017

Analysis

‘I Have Already Killed Many Taliban’: Afghan Commando Reflects On Fighting For 12 Years

Editor’s note: This is a dispatch by T&P; correspondent Marty Skovlund Jr. who is reporting on the ground from Afghanistan....

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Nov 4, 2017

Analysis

In Afghanistan, US Military Leaders Tell T&P Taliban Is ‘Consistently Defeated’

Editor's note: This is the first dispatch by T&P; correspondent Marty Skovlund Jr. who is reporting on the ground from...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Oct 29, 2017

News

Tempers Flare Among Special Forces Vets Over New Unit’s Beret — And Mission

The U.S. Army is an institution steeped in tradition and respect for those that have come before. Soldiers are often...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Sep 27, 2017

Entertainment

An Inside Look At CBS’ New Show ‘SEAL Team’

When I saw the advertisements role out for CBS’s SEAL Team a few months ago, I could almost hear the...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Jun 5, 2017

Gear

5 Things The Army’s Next-Generation Combat Vehicle Needs To Be Successful

From the Sherman tanks in the Battle of the Bulge to the Abrams tanks in the second Battle of Fallujah,...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. May 30, 2017

Community

The True Story Of How The Army Made The First Female Infantrymen

Ernie Pyle, the infamous American war correspondent killed in action during the battle for Okinawa, once said that he loved...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. May 17, 2017

News

The 75th Ranger Regiment Is Adding A Fifth Battalion

With over 16 years of non-stop combat deployments under their belt, the Rangers are about to become even deadlier on...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. May 9, 2017

Gear

5 Things To Know About The Army’s Plan To Pick A New Rifle

From the Mekong Delta to the Korengal Valley, and every battle in between, the M16 family of rifles has performed...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Apr 28, 2017

News

Rangers Reject DoD Claim Of ‘Friendly Fire’ In Afghanistan Deaths

On Friday, the Department of Defense announced a 15-6 investigation into the deaths of two Army Rangers killed during a...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Apr 10, 2017

Gear

SOCOM Is Looking For A New Multi-Caliber Sniper Rifle

On April 6, U.S. Special Operations Command released a sources sought notice asking for companies who are capable of producing...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Apr 6, 2017

Lifestyle

Train For The Worst Day Of Your Life With A Stress Shoot

My quads were burning and my breathing was steady but labored as I ascended yet another hill on the rural...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Mar 31, 2017

Community

The Military’s 5 Biggest Procurement Fails Since 9/11

President Donald Trump has been very clear about his intention to increase our nation’s investment into defense spending. Many other...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Mar 21, 2017

Gear

Should Soldiers Be Able To Choose Their Barrel Length?

In August 2009, the Rangers of C Company, 1st Ranger Battalion became the first U.S. soldiers to deploy as a...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Mar 1, 2017

Opinion

Is Trump At Fault For The Yemen Raid? One Army Ranger Doesn’t Think So

On January 28th, only a week after the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States,...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Feb 28, 2017

Gear

What’s Your Knife Made Of? Your Life Could Depend On The Answer

A well-made, consistently maintained knife is one of the most versatile tools a person can own. Whether you are a...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Feb 20, 2017

Health & Fitness

3 Challenges Only Tall People Will Encounter In The Gym

At 6 feet, 5 inches tall, I have run into my fair share of height-related inconveniences. For example, the ever-shrinking...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Feb 14, 2017

Gear

5 weird pieces of gear special operators rely on

The simple, everyday items that you don't need Uncle Sam's credit card or a top secret clearance to buy.

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Feb 3, 2017

Community

What Air Force Combat Controllers Go Through To Earn Their Titles

You’re sitting on the roof of a dilapidated building in the middle of Baghdad, Iraq, with three other men who...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Jan 26, 2017

Gear

Troops Might Soon Be Riding The Hydrogen-Powered Chevy Colorado ZH2 Into Battle

The Army seems to go through ground mobility vehicles about as fast as it goes through different uniforms. In the...

By Marty Skovlund Jr. Jan 18, 2017

News

Exclusive: The 75th Ranger Regiment Is No Longer An All-Male Unit

As you head south on Fort Benning, Georgia’s Sightseeing Road, you’ll pass El Zapata’s Mexican restaurant before moving uphill, where...

Marty Skovlund Jr.

News

Featured by Marty Skovlund Jr.

With The Taliban On The Offensive, The Future Of Afghanistan May Depend On This Homegrown Commando Force

The Longest War: 8 Years After My Last Deployment, I Returned To Afghanistan As A Reporter. Here’s What I Found

Vacation Rental: Private Room In Cozy Camp, Experience Authentic Afghanistan!

This Elite Police Force Is Afghanistan’s Secret Weapon Against Violent Extremists

‘I Serve Afghanistan!’: Afghan Soldiers Graduate To The Elite Ranks Of Special Forces

‘I Have Already Killed Many Taliban’: Afghan Commando Reflects On Fighting For 12 Years

In Afghanistan, US Military Leaders Tell T&P Taliban Is ‘Consistently Defeated’

Tempers Flare Among Special Forces Vets Over New Unit’s Beret — And Mission

An Inside Look At CBS’ New Show ‘SEAL Team’

5 Things The Army’s Next-Generation Combat Vehicle Needs To Be Successful

The True Story Of How The Army Made The First Female Infantrymen

The 75th Ranger Regiment Is Adding A Fifth Battalion

5 Things To Know About The Army’s Plan To Pick A New Rifle

Rangers Reject DoD Claim Of ‘Friendly Fire’ In Afghanistan Deaths

SOCOM Is Looking For A New Multi-Caliber Sniper Rifle

Train For The Worst Day Of Your Life With A Stress Shoot

The Military’s 5 Biggest Procurement Fails Since 9/11

Should Soldiers Be Able To Choose Their Barrel Length?

Is Trump At Fault For The Yemen Raid? One Army Ranger Doesn’t Think So

What’s Your Knife Made Of? Your Life Could Depend On The Answer

3 Challenges Only Tall People Will Encounter In The Gym

5 weird pieces of gear special operators rely on

What Air Force Combat Controllers Go Through To Earn Their Titles

Troops Might Soon Be Riding The Hydrogen-Powered Chevy Colorado ZH2 Into Battle

Exclusive: The 75th Ranger Regiment Is No Longer An All-Male Unit