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

VA investigates, veterans affairs employee with El Paso, Texas VA who called veteran and left voicemail that prompted an investigation.
News

‘All about the money’ — VA employee’s accidental voicemail to veteran prompts investigation

Veterans Affairs employees called and left a voicemail for a veteran patient, but forgot to hang up.

Navy reserve commander sentenced to prison for accepting bribes for paperwork for Special Immigrant Visas that should have gone to Afghan allies.
Afghanistan

Navy commander accepted bribes for Special Immigrant Visa papers that should have gone to Afghan allies

Jeromy Pittmann was sentenced to 30 months in prison for accepting bribes for visas that were intended for Afghan nationals who worked with U.S. troops during the war.

Airmen of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing take part in a 9/11 20th anniversary ceremony in Sioux City, Iowa September 11, 2021. During the ceremony 185th Wing Commander Col. Muckey reminded members of the importance of remembering the events that took place on September 11, 2001 and the many achievements the unit had accomplished since. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Ter Haar/Released)
Air Force

Federal judge tosses lawsuit that challenged Pennsylvania military ballots

A federal judge has denied a request by Republican lawmakers to set aside votes from troops and their families overseas until their identities could be confirmed.

JUNEAU, Alaska (May 4, 2024) - Commander, Navy Region Northwest Rear Adm. Mark Sucato (seated front right) joins Alaskan Natives on the One People Canoe Society's traditional tribal canoe paddle and welcoming ceremony to kick off the annual Juneau Maritime Festival. Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) and Navy Band Northwest are taking part in a scheduled port visit to the capital city of Alaska. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gretchen Albrecht)
Navy

The Navy destroyed an Alaskan village in 1882. It just apologized.

A Naval force shelled, looted and burned an Angoon village in 1882. Several children died in the attack and many residents died in the subsequent winter months.

pennsylvania voter lawsuit military absentee ballots election
Analysis

Military absentee ballots in Pennsylvania could be caught in GOP lawsuit

Republican lawmakers want absentee ballots — which includes many US troops overseas — set aside until identities are verified. State officials say the ballots are legal.

An Army AH-64E Apache flight path drew 'hang loose' sign in sky
Culture

Army Apache pilot draws a ‘hang loose’ Shaka hand in Hawaii skies

Aloha and Maholo! We salute this pilot and their 'hang loose' flight path.

Concept art showing an L-shaped tubular base on the Moon mid-construction.
History

The Army once planned for an armed base on the Moon

Project Horizon was a Cold War idea for creating a nuclear-powered lunar outpost, staffed with heavily armed soldiers, by the mid-1960s.

U.S. Army E3 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense soldiers and deployed Bomber Task Force U.S. Airmen, pose for a photo in front of a THAAD anti-ballistic missile defense system during a U.S. Army led tour on North West Field at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, May 12, 2021. The THAAD mission is to protect the homeland, deployed military forces, friends, and allies from short, medium, and intermediate range ballistic missiles. The BTF was deployed to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility to meet Pacific Air Forces training objectives. PACAF in coordination with other components, allies, and partners, provides USINDOPACOM with continuous unrivaled air, space, and cyberspace capabilities to ensure regional stability and security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Louis Vega Jr.)
Indo-Pacific

US military scales back missile defense plans for Guam

The U.S. military is reducing the number of missile defense sites it intends to put on Guam, cutting the previous proposal of 22 down to 16 locations.

Screenshot of the video game Command, showing a two-dimensional grid off of the Korean Peninsula and a ship on the western side of it.
Culture

The Air Force is letting troops play this wargame on its secure networks

Airmen can now play the strategy game "Command" inside the secure Air Force network to help plan for potential real-world conflicts.

Two men in dress uniform, both standing in front of American flags.
Coast Guard

Coast Guard temporarily relieves CO, senior enlisted leader for San Diego sector

The two were removed due to a "loss of confidence" following an inquiry.

A former U.S. soldier was sentenced to 30 years in prison for murdering a pregnant, 19-year-old soldier on an American Army base in Germany more than two decades ago, officials said.
Army

Ex-soldier sentenced to 30 years for cold case murder of fellow soldier

Shannon Wilkerson was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the 2001 murder of Pfc. Amanda Gonzales, who was believed to have carried his baby at the time.

U.S Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, line up their M1A2 Abrams tank in the firing range staging area in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Feb. 16, 2023. The 4 ID and their supporting units are proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward deployed corps in Europe. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. John Schoebel)
Culture

How Army tank crews earn the right to name their tanks

Tanker culture dates back to World War II, an integral part of which is crews naming their tanks.

Navy SEAL candidates train at Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) in June 2023.
Navy

Navy SEAL training is safer after a trainee’s death, but Hell Week sleep rules remain unclear

An Inspector General review of the infamous Navy SEAL Hell Week training questioned the amount of sleep candidates get but found new safety policies were working.

North Korean troops
Analysis

As North Korea sends troops, the Russia-Ukraine war is looking like the laboratory of modern warfare

About 3,000 North Korean troops have deployed to Russia. They could begin combat operations in Ukraine starting on Nov. 1.

Army arrests ‘person of interest’ in homicide case of soldier found dead at Ft Leonard Wood
Army

Army arrests ‘person of interest’ in homicide case of soldier found dead at Ft Leonard Wood

Army investigators confirmed Thursday that Roque's body was found in a dumpster and that investigators have identified a "person of interest" in the homicide case.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Enrique Dominguez III, an instructor with Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego Drill Instructor School, Recruit Training Regiment, directs the new Marines of DI school class 1-25 into a squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, Oct. 3, 2024. DI school develops leadership, command presence, instructional ability, physical fitness, and professional knowledge in officers and noncommissioned officers to prepare them for the duties of a drill instructor. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jesse K. Carter-Powell)
Culture

JJ DID TIE BUCKLEE? Marine Corps adds ‘E’ for ‘Empathy’ to list of leadership traits

"Empathy has been a leadership trait of successful Marine leaders for 249 years; we put it on paper and added it to our list.”

Army investigators have a person of interest in the homicide case of a soldier at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri who was found dead earlier this week, officials said Thursday.
Army

Army investigates death of missing Fort Leonard Wood soldier as a homicide

Officials at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri announced Tuesday that Sgt. Sarah Roque, 23, was found dead.

RAF Mildenhall Housing
Air Force

Air Force families at RAF Mildenhall forced to move due to condemned homes

The families have to move because recent surveys revealed the chimneys in their homes could collapse.

Joseph Spotswood fighting Coulson during his smoker event with President Truman in attendance.
World War II

How an underdog won a boxing match on a warship in front of President Truman

“He got to meet with Truman, shake his hand, and Truman grabbed a napkin and wrote on it, ‘Many thanks to Joe Spotswood for a wonderful fight.'"

Military Police members with 89th Military Police, Fort Hood, Texas, receive a convoy brief June 4, 2018. They were assisting 504th Military Intelligence Brigade to complete a mission during a field training exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Melissa N. Lessard)
Army

Soldier charged with string of rapes and attempted murders at Fort Cavazos

Base authorities did not say how Sgt. Greville Clarke could have evaded authorities during an 18-month spree of break-ins and assaults.