Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 56)

Pentagon Run-Down, 2024 election cycle, Donald Trump be next commander in chief, North Korean troops' internet habits in Russia and more.
The Pentagon Rundown

A new commander in chief, North Korean troops’ online ‘extracurriculars’ and more military news

The Pentagon Rundown is back. Here is the military news from the past week that you need to know about.

The Army is putting more accountability measures in place for recruiters and local stations, according to a new policy memo from the service's recruitment command.
Army

Good Army recruiters won’t have to carry weight of ‘ineffective’ ones under new policy

The policy increases oversight on individual recruiters and battalions to make sure they’re contributing to the service-wide recruitment mission.

nuclear missile commander fired
News

Air Force fires commander at Montana nuclear missile base after investigation

A command-directed investigation led to the firing of the 341st Missile Wing's maintenance commander who oversaw four squadrons including the munitions unit that maintains the base's nuclear weapons.

Mischa Johnson
Army

Army charges Hawaii soldier with murder in case of missing spouse and unborn child

Mischa Johnson, 19, who was six-months pregnant, remains missing. Her husband, Pfc. Dewayne Arthur Johnson II, 28, was charged with her murder and killing her unborn child.

Garrett Cathcart having tea with Taliban fighters, hours after they were shooting at each other.
Culture

How tea with the Taliban inspired a veteran to bridge political divides at home

A firefight with the Taliban that led to drinking tea hours later led a veteran to launch a non-profit aimed at bridging social gaps. 

Capt. Lester Brown, Jr. was relieved of his duties as Navy Leadership and Ethics Command San Diego’s commanding officer.
Navy

Navy fires commander of San Diego Leadership and Ethics Command

Capt. Lester Brown, Jr. was relieved Wednesday for "loss of confidence in his ability to command" the San Diego professional development command.

Soldiers, spouses fleeing domestic violence get faster access to emergency funds
Army

Soldiers, spouses fleeing domestic violence get faster access to emergency funds

Domestic violence victims can now get up to $1,500 of immediate assistance to get out of a dangerous situation without waiting for bureaucratic approvals.

Marine recruit picked up by police at San Diego airport after fleeing recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California.
Marine Corps

Marine recruit flees boot camp, stopped at airport

The Marine recruit was taken into custody at the airport Nov. 4. Marine Corps officials have not said if the recruit is back in training.

North Korean military Russia internet
Humor

DoD can’t confirm whether North Korean troops in Russia are ‘gorging on pornography’

“As entertaining as that sounds, I can’t confirm any North Korean internet habits or virtual ‘extracurriculars’ in Russia,” a Defense Department spokesperson told Task & Purpose.

National Guard cybersecurity election 2024
National Guard

Many of the National Guardsmen activated for election focus on cybersecurity

About 110 National Guardsmen have been activated to help provide cybersecurity for their states’ elections.

Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley died of injuries sustained during the Gaza pier mission in May 2024.
Army

Soldier dies of injuries sustained in Gaza pier mission

Sgt. Quandarius Davon Stanley was being treated in a long-term care facility for injuries sustained during the Gaza pier mission before he died.

Twenty sets of family members from the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing deployed together earlier this year, which included parents, siblings, spouses, cousins, uncles and nephews.
Air Force

20 sets of military family members serving in the National Guard deploy to Japan

The "unprecedented" Minnesota National Guard deployment highlights a familial trend that the services have long relied on for recruiting.

Capt. William Swenson loading his wounded teammate on Sept. 8, 2009. Swenson later receiving the Medal of honor on Oct. 16, 2013.
Afghanistan War

An enemy commander told him to surrender. This Army captain threw a grenade instead.

Capt. William Swenson exposed himself to an onslaught of fire and RPGs not once, but twice, to save his wounded teammates.

2024 election cycle military ballots explainer
Analysis

Here’s what troops need to know about federal absentee ballots

Troops can download and print Federal Write-in Absentee Ballots if their state absentee ballots have not arrived.

Hunting for a job after the military? Here are 8 ways to protect yourself from scams

Hunting for a job after the military? Here are 8 ways to protect yourself from scams

Be advised: No website is completely safe.

National Guard soldiers stand outside the Washington state capitol.
National Guard

Washington state activates National Guard ahead of the presidential election

Oregon and Nevada also plan on having National Guard troops assist local law enforcement on election day.

A profile photo of Spec. Moses Brave Heart, in his National Guard uniform with a feather in his hair.
National Guard

Native American soldier gets OK to wear long hair, feather to honor heritage

Spec. Moses Brave Heart received a religious accommodation to grow his hair out and wear an eagle feather as a way to express his Oglala Sioux heritage.

Close up of a patch on a Navy uniform. The patch shows the Tusken Raiders from Star Wars in crosshairs, with the caption "Houthi Hunting Club 2023-2024."
Navy

Navy pilot spotted with patch depicting Houthis as ‘Star Wars’ sand people

The since-pulled photo signifies Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74’s time in the Red Sea with “Houthi Hunting Club Red Sea 2023-2024.”

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, flies alongside a KC-10 Extender after receiving fuel on Jan. 6, 2021.
Middle East

US sending destroyers, B-52 bombers to the Middle East

The deployments are intended to keep the American military presence strong as the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group leaves the region.

U.S. Coast Guard Cadets carry a log uphill during sea trials at the Academy, New London, Conn., Aug 17, 2024. Sea Trials is a set of daylong exercises that challenges swabs physically and mentally, while also marking the conclusion of the summer training program. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matt Thieme.)
Coast Guard

Cultural norms at Coast Guard Academy led to abuse of cadets, federal filings allege

Nine new federal filings brought against the Coast Guard Academy brings the total number of abuse allegations from former cadets to 22.