Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 59)

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.

The MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).
The Pentagon Rundown

It’s the end of the world as we know it, and more military news

The missiles are flying in Russia and Ukraine. The defense secretary pushes back on criticism about women in combat roles. The U.S. military needs more munitions.

Astronaut in Army Reserve awarded wings and space badge for trip to International Space Station
Army

Astronaut in Army Reserve awarded wings and space badge for trip to International Space Station

Maj. Kate Rubins, a microbiologist, NASA astronaut and Reserve officer received the Army's rarest badge for a mission to the International Space Station.

Pete Hegseth, a Fox News Contributor, visits the 138th Fighter Wing, Detachment 1, at Ellington Field, TX, on Feb. 1, 2017. Hegseth met with 138th Operations Group personnel, prior to his incentive ride in an F-16 Fighting Falcon, in order to be fully prepared for the experience of flying in a fighter jet. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Drew A. Egnoske)
Army

Police report sheds new light on Pete Hegseth sexual assault allegations

The woman alleged she was sexually assaulted by Pete Hegseth in October 2017. Hegseth says it was consensual throughout.

The Liscano family just gained a third generation soldier on Nov. 4.
Culture

‘Armor Major’ swears his son into ROTC as family’s third-generation

Army Maj. Michael Liscano Jr. gave his son the oath of enlistment to begin ROTC studies to become his family's third-generation soldier.

Land Mines in Ukraine
News

US will send antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine as Russians press infantry assaults

The US will soon provide Ukraine with antipersonnel land mines to counter a Russian shift to "World War I"-like dismounted infantry attacks.

Archaeologists use measuring tapes and underwater cameras to record and document a WWII aircraft site in Papua New Guinea. Photo: Project Recover — Project Recover is a collaborative effort to enlist 21st-century science and technology in a quest to find and repatriate World War II MIAs to bring recognition to the service member, closure for their families, and to help a grateful Nation keep its sacred promise to bring our MIAs home. As a result of Project Recover’s missions, there are 84 MIAs awaiting recovery at this time (January 2020). Since 1993, Project Recover (formerly The BentProp Project) has located 30+ downed World War II US aircraft associated with scores of MIA service members.
World War II

Meet the team helping recover missing U.S. troops from deep underwater

Project Recover helped find the crash site of a B-24 under 200 feet of water in the Pacific and recover the bombadier's remains.