Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 410)

These CIA officers were the first US boots on the ground in Afghanistan after 9/11 — and one was ‘Marine Todd’
Marine Corps

These CIA officers were the first US boots on the ground in Afghanistan after 9/11 — and one was ‘Marine Todd’

Before the 5th Special Forces Group's Operational Detachment Alpha 595, before 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment's MH-47E Chinooks, and before the Air Force combat controllers, there were a handful of CIA officers and a buttload of cash

This elegant system converts the Army’s new sidearm into a beastly personal defense weapon
Army

This elegant system converts the Army’s new sidearm into a beastly personal defense weapon

Shoots like a carbine, holsters like a pistol

Marine veteran Austin Tice has been held in Syria for 7 years. It’s time to bring him home
Marine Corps

Marine veteran Austin Tice has been held in Syria for 7 years. It’s time to bring him home

"He's been gone for seven years now and it's past time for him to be home. Congress can help accomplish that mission."

DoD deletes tweet that joked about blowing up millennials trying to storm Area 51
Entertainment

DoD deletes tweet that joked about blowing up millennials trying to storm Area 51

If we cannot laugh at wiping out our nation's youth, what can we laugh at?

Desert Shield Part II: Pentagon sending US troops to Saudi Arabia
Middle East

Desert Shield Part II: Pentagon sending US troops to Saudi Arabia

When Saudi Arabia calls for help, it's time to break out those yellow ribbons again.

13 Marines at Camp Pendleton charged with crimes related to smuggling of undocumented immigrants from Mexico
News

13 Marines at Camp Pendleton charged with crimes related to smuggling of undocumented immigrants from Mexico

Thirteen Marines have been formally charged for their alleged roles in a human smuggling ring, according to a press release from 1st Marine Division released on Friday.

Leaked Army document reveals the whole ‘one weekend a month’ reserve thing is kinda b*llshit
Army

Leaked Army document reveals the whole ‘one weekend a month’ reserve thing is kinda b*llshit

The recruiting commercials for the Army Reserve proclaim "one weekend each month," but the real-life Army Reserve might as well say "hold my beer."

Soldiers say the Army’s relentless push for readiness is ‘breaking the force’ in leaked documents
Army

Soldiers say the Army’s relentless push for readiness is ‘breaking the force’ in leaked documents

"Readiness requirements are almost impossible to meet," one soldier said.

The Army thinks China will surpass Russia by 2028. Here is how the service is planning to take them on
Army

The Army thinks China will surpass Russia by 2028. Here is how the service is planning to take them on

"[Deter] Russia in the near-term with a 'good enough' force in Europe, while investing in the long-term requirements against the larger threat in Asia."

In leaked documents, Army family reports waiting weeks to have gas line and roof leaks fixed in on-base housing
News

In leaked documents, Army family reports waiting weeks to have gas line and roof leaks fixed in on-base housing

"Spouses feel they are unable to advocate effectively for their families."

A huge number of vets are getting access to on-base exchanges and recreation facilities in 2020
United States

A huge number of vets are getting access to on-base exchanges and recreation facilities in 2020

In what's being billed as the largest expansion of new shoppers in the military commissary system in 65 years, veterans will be allowed back into many of the same retail outlets they had access to while in uniform starting on Jan. 1, 2020, thanks to a measure put in to the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act.

The Army needs fresh body parts ASAP, people
Army

The Army needs fresh body parts ASAP, people

The Army is looking for some fresh body parts — $32.5 million worth, to be precise

Navy SEAL and Marine Raider could get life in prison if convicted of murdering Special Forces Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar
Marine Corps

Navy SEAL and Marine Raider could get life in prison if convicted of murdering Special Forces Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar

Four U.S. special operators along with a British service member and a Malian security guard allegedly broke into Melgar's room to make a video of Melgar being restrained and sexually assaulted.

This viral ‘Storm Area 51’ photo is totally awesome yet totally fake
Mandatory Fun

This viral ‘Storm Area 51’ photo is totally awesome yet totally fake

Well, of course it is.

Marine grunts’ next battle buddy: a robot .50 cal that fires kamikaze drones
Marine Corps

Marine grunts’ next battle buddy: a robot .50 cal that fires kamikaze drones

The Marine Corps is loading up one of its experimental unmanned ground vehicle with a buttload of firepower

Air Force civilian dies in non-combat incident in Qatar
Air Force

Air Force civilian dies in non-combat incident in Qatar

"Jason was a noble American serving his nation while deployed as a 609th Air Operations Center civilian intelligence analyst at Al Udeid Air Base."

Former Army EOD tech gets 5 years probation for trying to sell guns and explosives to buyers in Mexico
Army

Former Army EOD tech gets 5 years probation for trying to sell guns and explosives to buyers in Mexico

He was facing up to 70 years behind bars if all the charges stuck, but now he's getting five years probation. How'd that happen?

Colt to halt production of AR-15 for civilian market
Guns

Colt to halt production of AR-15 for civilian market

Colt, one of the nation's largest and best-known gunmakers, will stop producing AR-15s for the civilian market, the company said this week

Built to win World War III, the F-35 is mostly being used to bomb caves and other stationary targets
Stealth

Built to win World War III, the F-35 is mostly being used to bomb caves and other stationary targets

"I have real concerns about using fifth-generation aircraft to strike a bunch of terrorists hiding in the bushes."

Army researchers are using pearls — yes, pearls — to develop super-strong body armor
Army

Army researchers are using pearls — yes, pearls — to develop super-strong body armor

If diamond are a girl's best friend, then pearls may soon be a soldier's — sort of