Michael Lane Smith, Author at Task & Purpose

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 22, 2015

History

How Chesty Puller Earned His 5 Navy Crosses

Lewis Burwell “Chesty” Puller, born in the 19th century, fought in the heaviest fighting of the 20th century, and is...

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 17, 2015

popular

UNSUNG HEROES: The Soldier Who Rode A John Deere ATV Into Battle

On Nov. 1, 2010, a young Afghan approached Sgt. Felipe Pereira and his team on a shiny motorcycle near the...

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 14, 2015

Family & Relationships

5 Crucial Lessons Military Brats Learn Early In Life

Military brats live in an ambiguous subculture that blends the lifestyle of a service member and a civilian. It includes...

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 10, 2015

Unsung Heroes

UNSUNG HEROES: The Staff Sergeant Who Prevented The Taliban From Overrunning His Outpost

On Aug. 22, 2007, Staff Sgt. Erich R. Phillips was asleep in a remote outpost in the mountains of Afghanistan...

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 10, 2015

History

The United States Was Called The United Colonies Until Sept. 9, 1776

On Sept. 9, 1776, the Continental Congress formally changed the name of their new nation to the “United States of...

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 3, 2015

popular

UNSUNG HEROES: The Green Beret Who Crawled 90 Yards Under Heavy Fire To Save His Men

During a battle in Afghanistan that would last more than 17 hours, Sgt. 1st Class Brendan O’Connor crawled through a...

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 3, 2015

Humor

5 Times Service Members Made The News For Doing Something Hilariously Stupid

For anyone who has worn the uniform, there’s a fundamental truth of service that never makes it into the commercials...

By Michael Lane Smith Sep 2, 2015

History

72 Years Ago, Former President George H.W. Bush Almost Died In World War II

On Sept. 2, 1944, 20-year-old Navy pilot, Lt. j.g. George Herbert Walker Bush, was flying his 50th mission of World...

By Michael Lane Smith Aug 27, 2015

Community

UNSUNG HEROES: The 3 Americans Who Stopped An Armed Gunman On A Train In France

On Aug. 21, 2015, a man boarded a Paris-bound train in Belgium with an AK-47 assault rifle, nine rifle magazines,...

By Michael Lane Smith Aug 26, 2015

Leadership

6 Women Who Fought In Direct Combat In Iraq And Afghanistan

The 2016 deadline set by the Pentagon for top military leaders to review gender restrictions on combat roles is quickly...

By Michael Lane Smith Aug 24, 2015

Career

You’ve Never Done Corporate Teambuilding Like This Before

You and your combat team are on a top secret mission entering North Korea from its northernmost border. You come...

By Michael Lane Smith Aug 20, 2015

Community

UNSUNG HEROES: The Air Commando Who Called In Crucial Air Support After Taking A Grenade Blast

On Sept. 21, 2014, Tech. Sgt. Matthew J. Greiner was engaged in an operation in Helmand, Afghanistan, when his team...

By Michael Lane Smith Aug 19, 2015

Gear

How To Shoot Like A Marine Sniper

Shooting with the precision and accuracy of a Marine is a delicate and carefully honed skill. Sporting an M40A5 long...

By Michael Lane Smith Aug 14, 2015

News

7 Memorable Moments From General Odierno’s Tenure As Army Chief Of Staff

On Wednesday, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno gave his final press conference as he prepares to step...

By Michael Lane Smith Aug 12, 2015

Community

How To Breach A Door Like A Marine

Ever wonder how Marines go through doors that don’t want to open? A new video on YouTube from III Marine...

By Michael Lane Smith Aug 6, 2015

News

Kyle Carpenter Stole The Sergeant Major Of The Marine Corps’ Chair

Medal of Honor recipient Marine Cpl. Kyle Carpenter paid a visit to the Pentagon today to visit Sgt. Maj. Ronald...

By Michael Lane Smith Aug 6, 2015

Community

UNSUNG HEROES: The Combat-Decorated Marine Who Sprang Into Action When The Washington Navy Yard Was Attacked

Shortly after 8 a.m. on Sept. 16, 2013, a lone gunman opened fire at the Washington Navy Yard taking 12...

By Michael Lane Smith Jul 31, 2015

News

Without A Bomb, What Is Iran’s Military Capable Of Doing?

The dialogue surrounding Iran leading up to, and in the wake of, the recent nuclear arms deal has included heavy...

By Michael Lane Smith Jul 30, 2015

Unsung Heroes

UNSUNG HEROES: The Marine Who Carried 3 Men Out Of Harm’s Way Under Heavy Fire

On Nov. 11, 2004, during the Second Battle of Fallujah, Sgt. Aubrey McDade Jr., was on his second deployment in...

By Michael Lane Smith Jul 23, 2015

Unsung Heroes

UNSUNG HEROES: The Female Soldier Who Provided Crucial Medical Treatment Under Mortar Fire

In the waning hours of Apr. 25, 2007, Army Pfc. Monica Lin Brown, 18, rushed out of her Humvee after...

By Michael Lane Smith Jul 17, 2015

News

What We Know About The Marines Killed In Chattanooga

Four U.S. Marines are dead following a shooting Thursday at a military support facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in what some...

By Michael Lane Smith Jul 10, 2015

Entertainment

One Video Shows The Role Women Have In Combat

TED recently released a talk delivered by noted journalist Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, highlighting the women warriors who made history by...

By Michael Lane Smith Jul 9, 2015

Unsung Heroes

UNSUNG HEROES: The Corpsman Who Ignored His Own Wounds To Save His Fallen Comrades From An IED Blast

On Jan. 1, 2005, the men of 4th Platoon, Small Craft Company, 1st Marine Division were ambushed while on patrol...

Michael Lane Smith

News

Featured by Michael Lane Smith

How Chesty Puller Earned His 5 Navy Crosses

UNSUNG HEROES: The Soldier Who Rode A John Deere ATV Into Battle

5 Crucial Lessons Military Brats Learn Early In Life

UNSUNG HEROES: The Staff Sergeant Who Prevented The Taliban From Overrunning His Outpost

The United States Was Called The United Colonies Until Sept. 9, 1776

UNSUNG HEROES: The Green Beret Who Crawled 90 Yards Under Heavy Fire To Save His Men

5 Times Service Members Made The News For Doing Something Hilariously Stupid

72 Years Ago, Former President George H.W. Bush Almost Died In World War II

UNSUNG HEROES: The 3 Americans Who Stopped An Armed Gunman On A Train In France

6 Women Who Fought In Direct Combat In Iraq And Afghanistan

You’ve Never Done Corporate Teambuilding Like This Before

UNSUNG HEROES: The Air Commando Who Called In Crucial Air Support After Taking A Grenade Blast

How To Shoot Like A Marine Sniper

7 Memorable Moments From General Odierno’s Tenure As Army Chief Of Staff

How To Breach A Door Like A Marine

Kyle Carpenter Stole The Sergeant Major Of The Marine Corps’ Chair

UNSUNG HEROES: The Combat-Decorated Marine Who Sprang Into Action When The Washington Navy Yard Was Attacked

Without A Bomb, What Is Iran’s Military Capable Of Doing?

UNSUNG HEROES: The Marine Who Carried 3 Men Out Of Harm’s Way Under Heavy Fire

UNSUNG HEROES: The Female Soldier Who Provided Crucial Medical Treatment Under Mortar Fire

What We Know About The Marines Killed In Chattanooga

One Video Shows The Role Women Have In Combat

UNSUNG HEROES: The Corpsman Who Ignored His Own Wounds To Save His Fallen Comrades From An IED Blast