Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 31)

The bear hulu
Humor

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

The show is about anxiety, toxic work environment, and emotional breakdowns under fluorescent lights — which should be familiar to anyone who has lived in a barracks.

Air Force
Air Force

Air Force delay on separation and retirement orders isn’t ‘stop loss,’ defense official says

“This action does not impact the separation or retirement dates; it only adjusts the timing of order issuance. Airmen will still retire or separate on their approved date.”

New Generation Squad Weapons
Army

Why the Army’s new XM7 rifle reignited a debate over volume of fire

An infantry officer’s critique of the XM7 argues that the lower round capacity of the service’s new rifle could put soldiers at risk. An Army general said the rifle’s new ammunition “stops the enemy at one round.”

A soldier wearing goggles inspects a drone at a work station.
Army

173rd Airborne builds its own FPV drone lab to get around procurement wait

Each small drone, compared to "steerable mortars," is made in-house with soldiers building them themselves to then train with them.

A Dutch Shepherd dog, wearing a military camouflage vest and a red beret, walks on a leash.
Military Life

The military’s only search and rescue dog has retired

Callie spent six years with the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, logging 750 hours of flight time, rappelling out of helicopters, parachuting and helping airmen locate people in disaster zones.

Judge David O. Carter inspects the West L.A. VA campus on Aug. 21, 2024, while overseeing a lawsuit against the VA brought by veterans. (Getty Photo via Los Angeles Times by Brian van der Brug)
News

Trump orders West Los Angeles VA campus to house thousands of veterans

The directive calls for creating a “National Center for Warrior Independence” even as the VA fights against a similar court order to expand housing on the grounds.

Army Pvt. Gabriel Perez
Army

Army identifies soldier who died during basic training at Fort Jackson

Army Pvt. Gabriel Perez, 22, died during basic combat training. His death is under investigation.

U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and U.S. Navy assets line up on the runway for an elephant walk during a routine operational readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 6, 2025. Team Kadena showcased an array of aircraft, demonstrating a portion of the 100+ aircraft operating from the Keystone of the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tylir Meyer)
Air Force

This 53 aircraft ‘elephant walk’ has everything you’d need for a war in the Pacific

The runway display of 53 Air Force and Navy planes — plus Army missiles — ranged from rescue helicopters to fighters and hulking spy planes.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Aidan Smith, a rifleman with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment and a native of Maine, fires an M32 grenade launcher during a live-fire shoot range as part of Exercise Chesapeake 25 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 1, 2025. Exercise Chesapeake 2025 was a bilateral U.S.–French naval exercise that underscored a commitment to interoperability, maritime readiness, and shared values. The exercise took place as the U.S. Marine Corps is celebrating 250 years of warfighting excellence and reflects the Marine Corps’ commitment to global partnerships and naval integration, enabling the force to rapidly respond to crises, deter adversaries, and reassure allies. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Jack Labrador)
The Pentagon Rundown

Hegseth orders sweeping force structure changes for the military

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a reduction of general and flag officers and directed the Army to make force structure changes, including consolidating commands.

David Staib, Senior Airman Logan Staib’s father, poses for a photo in between the retired HH-60G Pave Hawk and Logan’s restored Mustang at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, March 13, 2025. The display of the Pave Hawk and Mustang served as a tribute to Logan’s legacy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Savannah Carpenter)
Air Force

How a retired rescue helicopter and a hot rod Mustang honor an airman

Logan Staib was a born mechanic, whether working on HH-60 rescue helicopters in the Air Force or his beloved Ford Mustang drag car, before he died in a traffic accident. His father brought his favorite machines together in a tribute.

A sign for the Child Development Center is displayed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 13, 2024. Tyndall’s child and youth programs mission are to assist Department of Defense military and civilian personnel in balancing the competing demands of accomplishing the mission and family life by managing and delivering a system of quality, available and affordable programs and services for eligible children and youth. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Nordheim)
Navy

Military daycares must change how they inform parents about reports of abuse, watchdog says

An inspector general report found that varying policies between services meant parents or guardians “may not be aware of the specifics” of suspected abuse at military-run childcare centers.

Daughter saluting female U.S. soldier mother in front of home

Buying your first home? Here are some great tips from Navy Federal Credit Union

We want to thank all our active and veteran members during military appreciation month.

This picture shared on social media shows an inmate being recaptured at the U.S. Disciplinary Barracks on Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on April 29, 2025.
Army

Attempted Fort Leavenworth prison break leaves military inmate tangled on fence

Two inmates were injured in the April 29 escape attempt. A picture shared on social media shows one inmate tangled in concertina wire atop a fence.

Sgt. Brian Lieberman, a Paratrooper assigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, receives the Soldier's Medal from Col. Jason Schuerger, commander of 1st Brigade Combat Team, during a ceremony at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, May 6, 2025. Sgt. Lieberman was awarded the medal for taking decisive action to save a life during an active shooter incident at his apartment complex. The Soldier's Medal recognizes individual acts of heroism on behalf of fellow Soldiers or civilians. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Prim Hibbard)
Army

This Army combat medic fought off an active shooter and rendered first aid

“We're here to recognize you today, because that is not how a sane human being responds,” said the soldier’s commanding officer.

Next Generation Squad Weapon Testing
Army

Army infantry officer calls new XM7 ‘unfit for use as a modern service rifle’

Officials with the Army and Sig Sauer pushed back on the findings of the research, which was conducted by an Army infantry officer and presented at this year's Modern Day Marine exhibition in Washington, D.C.

US Secretary for Veterans Affairs (VA) Doug Collins testifies before a Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearings on "Veterans at the Forefront, Focusing on the future at VA," on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, May 6, 2025. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP)
Veterans

VA secretary says 80,000 job cuts at agency are a ‘goal’ but not yet ‘targeted’

Jobs at the VA's Veterans Crisis phone line would get protection under a new law while VA chief Doug Collins said doctors, nurses and other patient-care jobs would likely be spared cuts.

Salute

Tribute to Service

For our nation's military personnel and veterans, service is an integral part of “The Whole You.” National University honors those who serve: past, present and future.

SELFRIDGE ANGB, MICHIGAN - APRIL 29: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a visit with Michigan Air National Guard Troops on April 29, 2025 at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. Trump will travel to Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan to hold a rally where he is expected to highlight his accomplishments during his first 100 days in office, including closing the border, job creation and the economy. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
News

Hegseth orders military to cut number of 4-star generals and admirals by 20%

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered military planners to cut the number of four-star general and admiral positions in the military by 20%.

101st Airborne paratrooper pleads guilty in fentanyl death of fellow soldier
Army

101st Airborne paratrooper pleads guilty in fentanyl death of fellow soldier

Army investigators' review of Rios-Segui's SnapChat conversations indicated that Faubel had sold him fentanyl-laced pills on the day he died.

A black and white photo showing U.S. soldiers crouched low while a Sherman tank advances up a country road.
World War II

When Americans, Germans and POWs fought the SS from the walls of a castle

80 years ago, on May 5, 1945, the strangest fight in World War II took place. American soldiers and Wehrmacht troops teamed up to fight the SS.