We have updated our Privacy Policy. Please review to learn more. By continuing to use our services, you agree to these updates.

Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 13)

U.S. Army Recruits and Soldiers with the New Jersey National Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program conduct the weekend drill at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, N.J., March 5, 2026. The Recruit Sustainment Program is a program of the United States Army National Guard designed to introduce new recruits to the fundamentals of the U.S. Army before they leave for Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Seth Cohen)
Army

Army raises enlistment age to 42, eases marijuana restrictions

New recruiting rules bump the age limit for recruits from 35 to 42. Easing restrictions on a single marijuana possession conviction “accounts for changes in society,” one expert said.

A trainee from C Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment, 198th Infantry Brigade low crawls through an obstacle the Sand Hill Obstacle Course March 4, 2024 on Sand Hill. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Stephanie Snyder)
Benefits

Soldiers must now get approval from supervisors for tuition assistance

In order to use a financial aid program for secondary education, soldiers now need approval from their supervisors.

The future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr.
Marine Corps

Navy destroyer with grizzly bear battle flag pays tribute to heroic Marine

“If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.”

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Adrian Ibarra, a rifleman with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M4 carbine during an integrated section attack range at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 31, 2026. The training integrated Light Armored Reconnaissance and Combined Anti-Armor Team vehicle-mounted fires with dismounted maneuver, enhancing the BLT’s ability to execute surface standing missions and tactical recovery of aircraft personnel. The 31st MEU is a persistent, combat credible force operating aboard the ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, routinely interacting and operating with our allies and partners to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis response, and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific region. Ibarra is a native of California. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alora Finigan)
Marine Corps

Senator references Iwo Jima while pushing for US to take Kharg Island

Sen. Lindsey Graham recently referenced the bloody World War II battle while arguing for U.S. troops to take control of Kharg Island from Iran.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Hawaii National Guard Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Enhanced Response Force Package assist the City and County of Honolulu first responders in search and recovery efforts during flood impacted zones in Waialua, Hawaii, March 21, 2026. Gov. Josh Green activated the Hawaii National Guard to assist in recovery efforts following record rainfall and flash flooding caused by a Kona Low weather system. (U.S. National Guard photo by Spc. Daniel Barcenas)
National Guard

National Guard mobilized for search and rescue operations amid Hawaii floods

Troops have helped rescue more than 200 people as large parts of Oahu remain drenched from flash floods in recent days.

Body image: The U.S. Army officially received a groundbreaking H-60Mx Black Hawk helicopter, extensively modified to fly with or without a pilot at the controls. (Photo courtesy Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company) (Photo Credit: Courtesy)
Army

Army receives a new Black Hawk helicopter, pilot optional

The new H-60Mx now goes to testing as the Army works to expand its autonomous and remote-controlled arsenal.

A picture taken on February 25, 2026, shows Rafale M (Marine) fighter jets parked on the flight deck with the conning tower in the background as the French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle during a media tour while moored at the quay of the North Port in Malmo, Sweden. (Photo by Johan NILSSON / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP via Getty Images) / Sweden OUT
Carriers

French sailor goes running, reveals flagship’s location via fitness app

Update the safety brief.

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Forces (SOF) Airmen and Danish Frogmen navigate the ice sheet during a simulated search and rescue for ARCTIC EDGE 2026 (AE26) in Kangerlussaq, Greenland, March 7, 2026. U.S. Air Force SOF Airmen conducted training alongside Danish Frogmen and Greenland Search and Rescue. AE26 is a North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command-led homeland defense exercise designed to improve readiness, demonstrate capabilities, and enhance Joint and Allied Force interoperability in the Arctic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christian Sundsdal)
Americas

Pentagon wants to increase naval, special operations capabilities on Greenland

U.S. Northern Command is seeking an agreement with Denmark to expand its operations on the island to three new areas.

A U.S. Marine with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, applies camouflage paint before conducting an amphibious assault abroad Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) in the Pacific Ocean, March 2, 2026. The 11th MEU is currently underway aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations conducting integrated training that enhances lethality and warfighting readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Trent A. Henry)
Marine Corps

US orders more warships, thousands of Marines to the Middle East

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, carrying the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is the second naval and Marine force ordered to join the war in Iran. 

More than 500 Airmen assigned to the 324th Training Squadron graduated from Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Sept 7-8, 2022. Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, 19th Air Force commander, reviewed the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by C Arce)
Air Force

Air Force training instructor faces court-martial for sleeping with trainees

The charges against Staff Sgt. Davonte Hardaway come more than a decade after a similar scandal at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland rocked the Air Force. 

Marine pistol qualifications
Marine Corps

Marines can now use optical sights with pistols for qualifying

Marines can now use a 'red dot' optic when qualifying in the Combat Pistol Program, which is required for specific jobs and units that issue sidearms.

In a historic event, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, graduated the first Sikh Marine to go through recruit training with their articles of faith. Pfc. Jaskirat Singh completed the 13-week transformation and graduated on August 11, 2023. We want to congratulate all the Marines that graduated as part of Golf Company and wish them luck in their follow-on training. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo Jesse by Lora)
News

Pentagon cracks down on religious waivers for beards

Troops must now submit sworn written statements about their religious beliefs, and could face disciplinary action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for ‘false statements.’

An AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter assigned to 1st Attack Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), takes off for a routine mission, July 15, 2024 at Erbil Air Base, Iraq. Army aviation assets are used to support CJTF-OIR’s mission to advise, assist, and enable partner forces to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. (U.S. Army Photo by Joseph Kumzak)
Army

US Apache helicopters attack Iranian militias in Iraq, Chairman of Joint Chiefs says

At the same conference, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs also revealed that A-10s were actively hunting down Iranian fast attack boats.

Brig. Gen. Todd Traver, deputy commanding general of the 807th Theater Medical Command, presents the Purple Heart to retired U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Christina Larson during her retirement ceremony at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, Feb. 20, 2026. Larson received the award for wounds sustained during a 2015 deployment to Afghanistan. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz)
Army

Army reservist receives Purple Heart as she retires, a decade after combat

“I remember initially thinking, ‘I don't deserve a Purple Heart,’” said Sgt. 1st Class Christina Larson. “What do I get a Purple Heart for? I have all my limbs. I'm not in a wheelchair.”

USS Gerald R. Ford
Middle East

USS Gerald R. Ford en route to Greece for repairs after fire

A fire broke out March 12 in the main laundry spaces of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which has seen combat in two hemispheres during eight months at sea. One sailor was medically evacuated the following day.

The Danish cargo ship Lars Maersk sails on Gatun Lake near the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal in Colon City, Panama, on December 28, 2024. On 31 December 2024, Panama will celebrate the 25th anniversary of sovereignty over the Canal. (Photo by ARNULFO FRANCO / AFP)
Military Life

As Iran war slows global shipping, military family moves face delays 

Military families moving to and from overseas assignments should be ready for weeks of shipping delays due to Iran war disruptions. Domestic moves face higher gas prices and traffic snarls.

XM8
Army

The Army has another new rifle, the XM8 carbine

The Army is expected to begin fielding the XM8, a shorter, lighter carbine version of the M7 Next Generation Squad Weapon rifle, towards the end of the year.

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan was killed in a March 1 Iranian drone attack in Kuwait. Dozens of soldiers from his Iowa-based unit are scrambling to arrange travel to his funeral in California.
Army

Soldiers remember a leader killed in Kuwait as ‘surrogate dad’

Soldiers and veterans who knew Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan are raising money to ensure dozens from his Iowa-based unit can attend his memorial service.

A U.S. Navy Boatswain’s Mate signals to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, on the flight deck of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) during Operation Epic Fury, Mar. 5, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)
Iran

At least 200 US troops wounded in Iran war, Pentagon says

Officials said 10 U.S. troops have been seriously wounded. Most others have returned to duty.

U.S. Sailors man the rails on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during the ship's departure from Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, March 14, 2026. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, Virginia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Peter K. McHaddad)
Navy

Navy says USS Nimitz will put off retirement and stay in service into next year

The aging aircraft carrier is currently deployed to Latin America, on what was to be its final voyage. The delivery of its replacement, the USS John F. Kennedy, has also been delayed.