Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 271)

Why those US Marines were spotted opening and closing a White House door
Marine Corps

Why those US Marines were spotted opening and closing a White House door

It's tempting to crack jokes, but do you really want to be the Marine to mess that up?

He followed his mom into the Air Force. Now he’s administering her final reenlistment oath
Air Force

He followed his mom into the Air Force. Now he’s administering her final reenlistment oath

“I’m not one to cry, but the second we popped to attention and I raised my right hand, the tears started flowing."

Air Force’s last serving prisoner of war, shot down in Desert Storm, retires after 33 years
Air Force

Air Force’s last serving prisoner of war, shot down in Desert Storm, retires after 33 years

“I don’t regret going over there, fighting and getting shot down ... That’s what I took an oath to do.”

Pentagon has no idea how the Afghan Air Force will stay in the air
Afghanistan

Pentagon has no idea how the Afghan Air Force will stay in the air

'All of those decisions have not been completed.'

Continued education downrange
Army

Soldiers say the Army’s tuition assistance program is broken — and they’re getting stuck with the bill

“I never thought I would potentially end up in education debt in the Army."

2 officials have resigned after veteran’s mic was cut during Memorial Day speech
Veterans

2 officials have resigned after veteran’s mic was cut during Memorial Day speech

The Ohio American Legion said the censorship was "premeditated."

19-year-old Marine dies during ‘Crucible’ training at South Carolina boot camp [Updated]
Marine Corps

19-year-old Marine dies during ‘Crucible’ training at South Carolina boot camp [Updated]

Rest in peace.

The Army’s sergeants of the future will need to be corporals first
Army

The Army’s sergeants of the future will need to be corporals first

The new Army directive goes into effect on July 1.

Why Portugal paints F-16s to look like tigers
Mandatory Fun

Why Portugal paints F-16s to look like tigers

We are the tigers, mighty mighty tigers!

No beer left behind: Germany to evacuate its booze from Afghanistan
Afghanistan

No beer left behind: Germany to evacuate its booze from Afghanistan

It's like Dunkirk, only the Germans are the good guys this time.

The Army embraced zodiac signs and people lost their minds
Army

The Army embraced zodiac signs and people lost their minds

Mercury is in retrograde; we won't all be on the same page.

This Chinese-made US ‘military officer uniform’ is a crime against humanity (and uniform regulations)
China

This Chinese-made US ‘military officer uniform’ is a crime against humanity (and uniform regulations)

Kill it with fire.

Help settle the score between these rival Army units once and for all
Mandatory Fun

Help settle the score between these rival Army units once and for all

Who here wants bragging rights?

‘The eyes of the world are upon you’ — Read Gen. Eisenhower’s letter to troops before D-Day
World War II

‘The eyes of the world are upon you’ — Read Gen. Eisenhower’s letter to troops before D-Day

"We will accept nothing less than full Victory!"

Pentagon: We have no evidence of aliens. UFO fans: So you’re telling me there’s a chance?
United States

Pentagon: We have no evidence of aliens. UFO fans: So you’re telling me there’s a chance?

'We’re pretty much back where we started.'

Air Force honors gay rights icon the service kicked out in 1975
Air Force

Air Force honors gay rights icon the service kicked out in 1975

“When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.”

The Omaha Beach landing in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ changed how we look at WWII
World War II

The Omaha Beach landing in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ changed how we look at WWII

“I wasn’t there in 1944 in June on Omaha Beach, but seeing that I somehow felt I was."

The Sgt. Maj. of the Army wants soldiers to take a three-year break — with a catch
Army

The Sgt. Maj. of the Army wants soldiers to take a three-year break — with a catch

SMA isn't ready to say goodbye to you just yet.

This WWII Navy pilot survived a 1,200-foot fall into the Pacific. Then he got back in the cockpit
Navy

This WWII Navy pilot survived a 1,200-foot fall into the Pacific. Then he got back in the cockpit

Surprisingly, surviving a fall like Lt. j.g. Levenson’s is not unheard of.

How an Army veteran designed the iconic symbol of the gay rights movement
Army

How an Army veteran designed the iconic symbol of the gay rights movement

Editor's note: This article was originally published on June 18, 2015.