Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 5)

USS Gerald R. Ford sailing through the Strait of Gibraltar.
Carriers

Why the US sent its most advanced aircraft carrier to the Caribbean and what it can do

As the USS Gerald R. Ford sails toward the Caribbean, here’s a closer look at how the Navy’s carrier strike groups project power.

A Soldier enjoys a meal at a dining facility during the 20th Annual Randy Oler Memorial Operation Toy Drop, Dec. 1, 2017. Operation Toy Drop is the world’s largest combined airborne operation with eight partner nation paratroopers participating and allows Soldiers the opportunity to train on their military occupational specialty, maintain their airborne readiness, and give back to the local community. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alicia Pennisi)
Army

Army closes only dining facility on Kansas base due to government shutdown

Officials announced that the dining hall on Fort Leavenworth is closed because of the government shutdown.

NAVAL STATION GREAT LAKES (November 3, 2025) — Fireman William Thompson, right, a native of Seale, Ala., and student at Surface Warfare Engineering Schools Command (SWESC) Great Lakes, receives a command challenge coin from Commanding Officer Cmdr. Quentin Cooper, Nov. 3, for his role in rescuing a man from a flame-engulfed vehicle. Oct. 25. Thompson dove into action by breaking open a car's window after noticing it had caught fire and filled with smoke on the upper level of a mall's parking garage in Schaumberg, Ill. SWESC is responsible for providing technical training to every surface Navy engineer, quartermaster, boatswain and deck seaman; preparing each Sailor to perform on U.S. Navy ships operating around the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian T. Glunt)
Navy

Navy sailor rescues driver from burning car but mother’s vehicle lost to flames

Both sailor William Thompson and his mother were unscathed when he rushed to save a driver from a burning car, breaking a window to free the occupant.

Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon
Marine Corps

New ‘Tun Tavern’ to open in Philadelphia 250 years after Marine Corps was born

'Rah.

A National Guard soldier, walks down the hallway at a hospital in April 2020.
Army

Fort Hood Army doctor accused of inappropriately filming female patients

As the Army conducts a criminal investigation, two law firms are representing patients of the accused doctor as they prepare to file civil lawsuits.

Retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Tony Grinston, currently the CEO of Army Emergency Relief, talks to troops in South Korea.
Benefits & Pay

Army charity offers grants to soldiers missing SNAP payments

Tony Grinston, the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army, said that the Army Emergency Relief will cover food assistance for soldiers in need.

Air Force Mustaches
Air Force

Air Force rolls out new rules on mustaches and sideburns

The Air Force has issued new — and very specific — guidance on the length of airmen’s mustaches and sideburns.

Harris County landscaper Jose Chavarria evens out loose dirt after the planting of a tree to honor Houston native Pfc. Vanessa Guillen, at Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, in Houston. (Photo by Godofredo A. Vasquez/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Army

If a soldier goes missing, the Army must now notify family within 8 hours

Army leaders must also inform local police much sooner when a soldier is declared "absent-unknown."

Art donated by Navy Federal Credit Union. Photo by Cade Martin.

Celebrating the lives and legacies of Veterans

This Veterans Day, we’re celebrating a few remarkable individuals whose legacies continue to inspire, decades and generations later.

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps stand in full dress uniform next to the Marine Corps War Memorial as it rains.
Culture

Top Marines stand in a rain storm to wish the Corps a happy birthday

Easily the most Marine thing they could have done.

16 October 2025, USA, Washington Dc: US National Guard soldiers walk up the steps to the Lincoln Memorial in the early morning. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa (Photo by Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images)
National Guard

National Guard mission in DC extended into 2026

The extension keeps hundreds of National Guard personnel stationed in Washington, D.C. through at least February.

A mugshot of Canyon Amarys.
National Guard

National Guard soldier indicted in plot to send military radio to Russia

Canyon Amarys allegedly agreed in writing to provide his services to Russia, including procuring a military radio and photographing Fort Riley.

90th Security Forces Group
Air Force

Airmen covered up details of fatal shooting after ‘joking’ with pistol

Two security forces airmen at F.E. Warren Air Force Base admitted to covering up for a third who shot Airman Brayden Lovan while "joking" with his service pistol.

A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook crew chief assigned to the 1st Battalion, 228th Aviation Regiment, Joint Task Force-Bravo, Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, conducts pre-flight operations at Aeropuerto International de Panama Pacifico, Panama, during PANAMAX-Alpha Phase II, Sept. 10, 2025. U.S. Army helicopters moved over 100,000 lbs of school building materials and a generator to remote locations, increasing partner nation capacity in addressing humanitarian and education needs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Jymil Licorish)
Americas

First wave of disaster relief troops deploy to Jamaica after major hurricane 

Dozens of U.S. military personnel are bringing medical supplies and emergency gear after Hurricane Melissa killed at least 19 on Jamaica.

Airmen at Aviano Air Base, Italy gather together to run in formation on Aug. 15, 2019. The 31st Fighter Wing conducts formation runs to develop esprit de corps. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Heidi Goodsell)
Air Force

Daily workouts at many Air Force units signal major culture shift

Some Air Force units put fitness on a back burner, but local commanders are rolling out their own daily workout programs ahead of new Pentagon policies.

Marine squadron's leadership fired
Marine Corps

Marine Corps fires senior officers and top enlisted leader of Osprey squadron

The commanding officer, executive officer, and senior enlisted leader of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 have been fired.

Marines detonate C4 plastic explosives at the ETA-7 Engineer Demolition Training Range on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. on April 17, 2018.
Marine Corps

Marines beef up security for weapons, ammo, explosives after lapses were found

After Government Accountability Office audits found that inspections were lacking, the Marine Corps is reinforcing its rules around ammo and firearm security.

Gen. Ken Wilsbach, Pacific Air Forces commander, returns from a flight at Kadena Air Base, Japan, April 17, 2023. Wilsbach attended the Kadena Eagle Sunset Celebration this past weekend and flew with the 18th Wing to bid the F15C/D models farewell. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sebastian Romawac)
Air Force

New Air Force chief of staff confirmed after predecessor’s early departure

Air Force Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach was confirmed as the next Air Force chief of staff.

Air Force Extensions
Air Force

Airmen and Space Force guardians will be extended for 60 days due to shutdown

A total of roughly 50 airmen and Space Force guardians are being extended for 60 days during the federal government shutdown.

Soldiers with the 4th Ranger Training Battalion watch as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter medevacs a casualty during a Rangers in Action demonstration, Oct. 3, 2025, at Victory Pond on Fort Benning, Georgia. (U.S. Army photo by Patrick A. Albright)
News

Pentagon says troops will get paid at end of week

Troops will receive their end-of-month paychecks even though the federal government remains shut down, according to the Pentagon.