Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 369)

How the US military’s love of boot-shaming gave America the gift of ‘IDK’
Mandatory Fun

How the US military’s love of boot-shaming gave America the gift of ‘IDK’

Boot-shaming is a time-honored U.S. military tradition that goes back to at least World War I. It's also, apparently, the original source of some of a well-worn piece of digital slang

Taliban attacks in Afghanistan are at their highest level in a decade
Afghanistan

Taliban attacks in Afghanistan are at their highest level in a decade

The Taliban launched more attacks across Afghanistan in during the last three months of 2019 than during the same period each year since the U.S. first started collecting data back in 2010, according to a new report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction

US troops in South Korea are facing quarantine over the Wuhan coronavirus
Air Force

US troops in South Korea are facing quarantine over the Wuhan coronavirus

The U.S. military has ordered a mandatory quarantine for any service members based in Korea how have visited China in the last two weeks as Wuhan coronavirus continues to spread across the globe

1,000 US citizens to be quarantined at four stateside military bases due to the Wuhan coronavirus
United States

1,000 US citizens to be quarantined at four stateside military bases due to the Wuhan coronavirus

These latest evacuees are in addition to the 200 U.S. citizens who have already been evacuated from Wuhan, China, to March Air Reserve Base, California.

Death of 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper at Fort Bragg under investigation
Army

Death of 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper at Fort Bragg under investigation

'Private Second Class Smither was an invaluable member of the Falcon Brigade and the 82nd Airborne Division.'

The F-35 is an overpriced lemon that doesn’t work
Air Force

The F-35 is an overpriced lemon that doesn’t work

It is clear that defense industry is totally incompetent or deliberately slow rolling fixes to gouge taxpayers. Perhaps it's both.

The US military can officially sow the Earth with land mines again
United States

The US military can officially sow the Earth with land mines again

''We always look at collateral damage and decisions are based on that. We want zero. Mines are part of that equation"

The 195 Americans who fled coronavirus in China will be quarantined at March ARB for 14 days, CDC says
China

The 195 Americans who fled coronavirus in China will be quarantined at March ARB for 14 days, CDC says

"We would rather be remembered for overreacting than under-reacting."

A ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ version of ‘1917’ exists and it is glorious
Mandatory Fun

A ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ version of ‘1917’ exists and it is glorious

Someone painstakingly cut scenes from SpongeBob SquarePants ​and set it to Sam Mendes' World War I drama '​1917'

64 US troops now being treated for Traumatic Brain Injury as toll of Iranian attack continues to increase
Iran

64 US troops now being treated for Traumatic Brain Injury as toll of Iranian attack continues to increase

So far, all of troops have been diagnosed with mild Traumatic Brain Injury, but that could change because brain injury symptoms develop over time, said Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

House passes bills to repeal 2002 AUMF and require Congress approve any war with Iran
Iran

House passes bills to repeal 2002 AUMF and require Congress approve any war with Iran

"It is past time for Congress to finally do our Constitutional duty and vote on matters of war and peace"

Military service academies see sharp increase in reports of sexual assault
United States

Military service academies see sharp increase in reports of sexual assault

A federal grand jury is looking into the suspicious deaths of 11 veterans at a single VA clinic
Veterans

A federal grand jury is looking into the suspicious deaths of 11 veterans at a single VA clinic

A federal grand jury has convened in the criminal investigation into the suspicious deaths of 11 patients at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Clarksburg West, Virginia in 2018. The deaths are believed to be linked to improper insulin injections, which can be deadly for those who are not diabetic.

America’s farmers are dying out. The USDA is calling on veterans to take their place
Transition

America’s farmers are dying out. The USDA is calling on veterans to take their place

"If you're someone who enjoys nature, farming offers you solace and employment while letting you get back to living on your own timetable."

‘The Afghanistan Papers’ are being turned into a documentary and a scripted series
Entertainment

‘The Afghanistan Papers’ are being turned into a documentary and a scripted series

"The Afghanistan Papers," a confidential trove of interviews with top U.S. national security officials obtained by the Washington Post that showed a years-long effort to hide the truth about the war in Afghanistan, is getting the Hollywood treatment.

DoD expected to loosen restrictions on landmine use in move that totally won’t blow up in anybody’s face
United States

DoD expected to loosen restrictions on landmine use in move that totally won’t blow up in anybody’s face

Under the new policy, landmines would be used only if they have a 30-day self-destruction or self-deactivation feature.

‘Vicious circle of threats’ is the hot new catchphrase the Pentagon plans on overusing this year
United States

‘Vicious circle of threats’ is the hot new catchphrase the Pentagon plans on overusing this year

Every generation gets the overblown euphemism for geopolitical adversaries it deserves

AFRICOM commander reviewing security at all bases following deadly attack in Kenya
Africa

AFRICOM commander reviewing security at all bases following deadly attack in Kenya

The head of U.S. Africa Command is looking at security at all bases hosting U.S. troops on the continent following a deadly Jan. 5 attack on a base at Manda Bay, Kenya, which killed Army Spc. Henry Mayfield Jr. and U.S. contractors Dustin Harrison and Bruce Triplett

DoD identifies two airmen killed in Afghanistan plane crash
Air Force

DoD identifies two airmen killed in Afghanistan plane crash

"Let their legacy of service and ultimate sacrifice be an enduring example for each of us."

US military deaths from aviation mishaps plummeted to a five-year low in 2019
Analysis

US military deaths from aviation mishaps plummeted to a five-year low in 2019

The number of major aviation mishaps and associated fatalities among U.S. service members across all four main branches fell dramatically in fiscal year 2019, according to data reviewed by Task & Purpose