Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 4)

Image:  Col. Daniel Voorhies, 341st Missile Wing commander, pins 20th Air Force’s first-ever Air Medal on Maj. Collin Urbanowicz, 341st Medical Group aeromedical physician assistant, at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, Nov. 20, 2025. The Air Medal recognizes meritorious achievement or heroism during aerial flight, acknowledging performance beyond standard expectations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Mary Bowers) 
Air Force

Malmstrom airman awarded Air Medal for mountain rescue

Maj. Collin Urbanowicz, the flight medic on a search and rescue mission in August, braved rough winds and stayed overnight on the ground to help save a lost hiker.

Naval Academy seniors learn their future jobs with a ‘team jersey’ reveal
Mandatory Fun

Naval Academy seniors learn their future jobs with a ‘team jersey’ reveal

Seniors at the Naval Academy found out what job they'll have after graduation with a unique reveal: each student got a custom 'team jersey' for their assigned field.

A Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Reinforced) on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean Sean, Sept. 7, 2025.
Marine Corps

Marine Harriers are in the Caribbean just ahead of retirement

“If they don’t have enough F-35Bs to do the job, then, well, it’s up to the last of the Harriers," an expert said.

Maj. Gen. Michelle A. Schmidt, the commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division, engages in conversation with the Honorable Dan Driscoll, the 26th Secretary of the Army, at the hangar of the 2nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, March 10, 2025. During Driscoll's visit to JBLM, a static display was set up to showcase the power capabilities of I Corps. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Bruer)
Army

Every soldier in the Army will get a daily ‘check in’ under new holiday order

In an Army-wide campaign aimed at mental health during the holidays, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said an officer or NCO will personally contact all soldiers "to see if they need help" through Jan. 15.

Balfour Beatty military housing
News

Military families forced to pay out of pocket for problems with privatized base housing

Hundreds of troops and their families paid an average of $1,680 out of pocket due to problems with privatized military housing, a recent survey found.

U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, Marine Barracks Washington, The Commandant's Own, Silent Drill Platoon, Drum and Bugle Corps, Color Guard
Opinion

The secret list that’s ending military careers

Pete Hegseth has told troops "it all starts with physical fitness." But for those who use supplements to improve workouts, a little-known, hard-to-find list is ending careers.

Christmas decorations
News

Christmas truce: More troops allowed to display holiday decorations early

"We recognize the pride our residents take in their decorations and the effort involved, so we want to maximize the time they can enjoy them.”

A XM30 Bradley replacement illustration showing a concept of the vehicle.
Tanks

Inside the XM30 program: The Army’s Bradley replacement

After four decades of failed replacement attempts, the Army’s XM30 program is the closest it has come to retiring the Bradley, but challenges remain.

A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 225, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, signals to a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to VMFA-225 at Jose Aponte de la Torre Airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, Nov. 6, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)
Americas

What 3 former SOUTHCOM commanders say troops should know about Venezuela

Their concerns include whether U.S. troops would have a clear military objective for any looming operations against Venezuela.

Waist-up shot of a group of friends taking a selfie together in a community centre. They are all smiling with positive emotion for the camera both wearing casual clothing. The community centre is located in Seaton Deleval in the North East of England.

Serving those who served our nation

How to really say thank you to veterans this Veterans Day.

The U.S. Naval Academy released its special edition football uniform for the 2025 Army-Navy football game.
Navy

Naval Academy custom football uniform honors ‘Original 6 Frigates’

Designed for the 2025 Army-Navy football game, the special edition uniform honors the Navy's original 6 frigates, including the USS Constitution.

Drug cartels designated as terrorists
Americas

The US designated more terrorist groups in 2025 than in the last 10 years combined

The U.S. government is now leaning on the military to employ tactics and techniques it honed during the Global War on Terror to combat drug cartels.

SAINT LAWRENCE ISLAND, Alaska (Sept. 11, 2022) A West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare operator conducts security utilizing a SHIELD AI Nova I drone during Operation Noble Defender. Sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning software capabilities coupled with the development of layered denial, and defeat mechanisms capable of addressing current and emerging threats are fundamental to national defense. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Alex Smedegard)
Navy

Navy SEALs want to start a 10-day school to learn drone warfare 

Special operations forces will learn the ins and outs of building, repairing and flying first-person-view drones in the 80-hour course, ending with a full field exercise.

Actor Adam Baldwin as Animal Mother, an M60-machine gunner with a platoon of Marines the City of Hue.
Entertainment

While filming ‘Full Metal Jacket,’ Matthew Modine kept a record of life on set

While playing Pvt. Joker in the iconic war film, the actor recorded life on set with a camera and journal. His work is now a traveling exhibit.

Marine Sgt. Gordon Reed as a lance corporal. After he collapsed during a PT test, family and friends said a series of mistake reduced his chances of survival.
Marine Corps

A Marine collapsed during a PT test. His family and former leadership say his death was preventable.

Gordon Reed fell in the final leg of a three-mile run. His family says Marines around him were unprepared and took him to the wrong medical facility in the vital minutes that followed.

Reaper
Marine Corps

Marines send Reaper drone unit to South China Sea

The unarmed drones were sent to the Philippines, in support of maritime security patrols over the disputed region.

Two senior men sitting and talking on porch

A Shared Mission: Humana and USAA Join Forces to Support Veterans’ Health As They Age

As more veterans enter retirement, Humana and USAA are collaborating to make healthcare simpler and more personal for those who have served.

ELWOOD, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Members of the Texas National Guard stand guard at an army reserve training facility on October 07, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. The Trump administration has been threatening for more than a month to send the guard to Illinois to address Chicago's crime problem and to support ICE and CBP during Operation Midway Blitz. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has been outspoken in his opposition to the move, accusing the president of using the guardsmen as political pawns. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
National Guard

National Guard begins drawdown in Portland, Chicago

Approximately 700 National Guard troops will remain in active duty under federal control, but will return to their home states.

CARIBBEAN SEA – U.S. Marines with the Maritime Special Purpose Force, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), enter a board a U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea hHawk helicopter with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, during fast rope insertion drills while aboard the U.S. Navy Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), IWOARG, while underway in the Caribbean Sea, Oct. 23, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tanner Bernat)
Marine Corps

Marines begin a week of exercises miles from the Venezuelan coast

Troops from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit will be conducting nighttime training operations in Trinidad and Tobago. 

251107-N-UI581-1002 PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Pierre (LCS 38) arrives in Panama City, Fla. ahead of her commissioning ceremony on Nov. 7, 2025. Pierre is the second U.S. Navy ship to bear this name and will be the final Independence-variant LCS to be commissioned in the U.S. Navy. Pierre will be commissioned in Panama City on Nov. 15. (U.S. Navy photo by Eddie Green)
Navy

Navy commissions the USS Pierre, last Independence-class littoral combat ship

The Pierre enters service as the Navy continues to look for new roles for the troubled littoral combat ships.