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MAYPORT, Fla. (Apr. 14, 2024) – Master Chief Electronics Technician Ryan Magill (left), a native of Valparaiso, Ind., conducts push-ups during U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Navy Reserves physical readiness test, Apr. 14. COMUSNAVSO/4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Sippel)
Fitness

Sailors who ace fitness test are now exempt from Navy body fat limits

As long as you can do 76 push-ups in two minutes, the Navy won't mind if you can't make the tape test.

Afghanistan evacuation
Analysis

Bitterness over the ‘Forever War’ a unifying factor in Trump’s post-9/11 veteran cabinet picks

President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks may reflect Global War on Terrorism veterans’ desire for accountability after two decades of war.

Hawthorne Gray suiting up for a balloon flight, a crew helping him get into his gear.
History

Before the space race, the US military raced balloons to the stratosphere

Forget rockets, soldiers and sailors tried to conquer the skies in the 1930s with hot air.

Judge David O. Carter looks at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs campus through a chainlink fence.
Veterans

A judge ordered the VA to build thousands of new veterans housing units in Los Angeles. An appeals court halted it

The Ninth Circuit’s stay blocks the construction of new permanent and temporary housing on the 388-acre campus until at least April.

A Naval Strike Missile fires from a NMESIS system.
Marine Corps

Marines deploy NMESIS anti-ship system to the Pacific

3d Marine Littoral Regiment is the first Marine Corps unit to field the weapons system.

Pvt. Hector Cafferata, a Medal of Honor recipient.
History

This Marine batted away a dozen grenades with an E-tool in Korean War battle

Surrounded by a force of 1,400, Pvt. Hector Albert Cafferata Jr. battled against all odds. As the enemy threw grenades, he swatted them back.

A pilot deployed to the 332d Air Expeditionary Wing, checks an F-15E Strike Eagle during a routine post flight inspection during sunset on the flightline. The F-15s fly combat missions regularly and pilots work closely with maintainers to assure the aircrafts are safe. (Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Jonathan Young)
Culture

Happy Thanksgiving from Task & Purpose, and thank you to our readers

We couldn’t do this job without you.

Gen. Eric M. Smith, the commandant of the Marine Corps, very casually let everyone know that he knocked out a CFT 324 days after having open heart surgery.
Culture

Marine Corps commandant completes combat fitness test 11 months after open heart surgery

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith suffered a cardiac arrest last year during a run. He just completed the USMC's grueling combat fitness test.

07 May 2022, Berlin: A man smokes a joint of medical cannabis at the Brandenburg Gate during the kick-off rally of a demonstration for the swift legalization of cannabis, the Global Marijuana March 2022. Photo: Christoph Soeder/dpa (Photo by Christoph Soeder/picture alliance via Getty Images)
News

FDA greenlights study of marijuana as PTSD-treatment for vets

The clinical trial study will give veterans commercially and medically available cannabis products to look at “real-world” use and assess the impact on post-traumatic stress disorder.

A highlight reel of Army Sgt. Diamond Adams was widely viewed across social media and came with the all-too-fitting caption "Sgt. Adams ain't come to play."
Culture

101st Airborne soldier ‘ain’t come to play’ in cage match video

“I saw an opening. I saw his eyes,” Sgt. Diamond Adams told Task & Purpose, in response to a cage match fight that was viewed millions of times on social media.

Army reservist, Master Sgt. Joseph Prevatte, was arrested twice this month for allegedly having inappropriate relationships with students while working as a substitute teacher.
Army

Police arrest Army reservist accused of inappropriate relationships while substitute teaching

Joseph Antoine Prevatte, 39, was arrested twice in November for allegations involving inappropriate relationships with students while he was a substitute teacher in Florida.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps, gives a speech during an uncasing ceremony at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 16, 2024. The uncasing ceremony is an Army tradition that represents the point in time when a unit’s mission overseas is complete. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jonathon Downs)
Air Force

How generals and admirals get promoted now and how that may change under Trump

A 'plucking board' of retired generals thinned out senior officers prior to World War II. Trump officials have proposed a similar plan.

The cover of DC Showcase: Sgt. Rock, showing the titular character and other American GIs fighting Nazi tanks.
Entertainment

Comics’ quintessential soldier, Sgt. Rock, is heading to the big screen

The hero of years of World War II comics is now getting a movie from DC Studios.

A soldier in a mask and goggles holds an M17 pistol with both hands.
Army

Army puts up $15,000 reward to help find 31 pistols and optics stolen from Fort Moore

31 pistols and a number of night vision goggles and optics have been missing since the spring.

Ben Mendelsohn as Director Krennic in 'Rogue One.'
Entertainment

‘Andor’ shows even the Empire has the Pentagon’s acquisition model

Budgetary issues are a problem even in a galaxy far far away…

Troops jump from an airplane, parachutes streaming behind them.
News

Watchdog finds high rate of serious accidents, lack of oversight, in special operations training

A new report found that the vast majority of non-combat accidents for Special Operations Command occur during training.

Navy Cmdr. Charles Diehl was relieved as the commander of Airborne Command & Control Squadron 115, or VAW-115
Navy

Navy fires commander of E-2 Hawkeye squadron for “loss of confidence”

Cmdr. Charles Diehl was relieved as the commander of Airborne Command & Control Squadron 115, or VAW-115, which flies the E-2D Hawkeye.

550 cord is a limitless tool for the military.
Culture

The complacent soldier’s best friend: The many uses of 550 cord

Preventing the loss of sensitive items since World War II.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, Commanding General of XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Liberty, shares words with soldiers and family during the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) change of command ceremony, at Fort Liberty, N.C., on June 11, 2024. The ceremony was held to provide an opportunity for leaders and Soldiers to say farewell to the outgoing commanding general and welcome the incoming commanding general for the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. PS Bailey Whilden)
Army

Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, who commanded 82nd Airborne in Kabul, caught by Senate hold for fourth star

A Senate aide said the hold could be related to Donahue’s role during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.

Global War on Terrorism Medals
News

Pentagon authorizes Global War on Terrorism Medals for fight against Houthis

The Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals are authorized for troops participating in operations against Houthi rebels.