Mandatory Fun

"Mandatory fun" in the military refers to functions that troops are forced to attend, often with the promise of having "fun." It rarely is.

Latest in Mandatory Fun

If you’ve ever lived in the barracks, you already understand ‘The Bear’ on Hulu If you’ve ever lived in the barracks, you already understand ‘The Bear’ on Hulu

By Clay Beyersdorfer

Posted on May 13, 2025

A sweating man in a bulky black and green bomb protection suit runs on a track.

Army captain sets Guinness World Record for bomb suit run Army captain sets Guinness World Record for bomb suit run

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 26, 2025

'Rite of Passage' sword

Marine vet buys sword that slayed the lava monster in the iconic 90s recruiting ad Marine vet buys sword that slayed the lava monster in the iconic 90s recruiting ad

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Mar 26, 2025

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth takes a phone call before a press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, D.C. on February 4, 2025. (Photo by Bryan Dozier / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP)

‘100% OPSEC’ apparently means texting military plans to a reporter ‘100% OPSEC’ apparently means texting military plans to a reporter

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Mar 24, 2025

Actor Anthony Mackie, who plays Captain America, flies as the passenger of a tandem freefall jump with an Air Force pararescue tandem master at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.

Air Force PJs welcomed the new Captain America with a freefall jump Air Force PJs welcomed the new Captain America with a freefall jump

Posted on Feb 6, 2025

A casino roulette wheel with chips.

Troops used government cards to pay for casinos, online gaming and Super Bowl parties Troops used government cards to pay for casinos, online gaming and Super Bowl parties

Posted on Jan 27, 2025

North Korean military Russia internet

DoD can’t confirm whether North Korean troops in Russia are ‘gorging on pornography’ DoD can’t confirm whether North Korean troops in Russia are ‘gorging on pornography’

By Jeff Schogol

Updated on Nov 5, 2024

USS Abraham Lincoln sailor wears E-FOUR Mafia patch

Sailor proudly rocks ‘E-4 Mafia’ patch as he stands watch on USS Abraham Lincoln Sailor proudly rocks ‘E-4 Mafia’ patch as he stands watch on USS Abraham Lincoln

Posted on Sep 13, 2024

New Tinker Air Force Base motto immediately lampooned by airmen, veterans New Tinker Air Force Base motto immediately lampooned by airmen, veterans

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Aug 29, 2024

We salute this sailor rockin’ out during underway refueling at RIMPAC

We salute this sailor rockin’ out during underway refueling at RIMPAC We salute this sailor rockin’ out during underway refueling at RIMPAC

Posted on Aug 8, 2024

The first Space Force ‘retirement beard’ is here and it’s out of this world

The first Space Force ‘retirement beard’ is here and it’s out of this world The first Space Force ‘retirement beard’ is here and it’s out of this world

Posted on Jul 12, 2024

Neck tattoos are here to stay in the Air Force. But still no beards

Neck tattoos are here to stay in the Air Force. But still no beards Neck tattoos are here to stay in the Air Force. But still no beards

Posted on Feb 29, 2024

beards army alaska

Alaska paratroopers get a secret weapon for the arctic: beards Alaska paratroopers get a secret weapon for the arctic: beards

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Feb 26, 2024

jody china PLA marriage

In China, if ‘Jody’ steals your girl, he gets 10 months in jail In China, if ‘Jody’ steals your girl, he gets 10 months in jail

Posted on Feb 21, 2024

5 questions only a veteran would ask the Sergeant Major of the Army

5 questions only a veteran would ask the Sergeant Major of the Army 5 questions only a veteran would ask the Sergeant Major of the Army

By Nicholas Slayton, Marty Skovlund Jr.

Posted on Dec 9, 2023

ryan pitts medal of honor

5 questions only a veteran would ask Medal of Honor recipient Ryan Pitts 5 questions only a veteran would ask Medal of Honor recipient Ryan Pitts

By Marty Skovlund Jr., Matt White

Posted on Dec 8, 2023