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

Ships

Robot warships are here. Now the Navy needs to figure out how to use them.

From DARPA prototypes to the fully uncrewed USX-1 Defiant, the Navy is testing how far it can go without sailors aboard.

Culture

No, the Army is not introducing a new ‘tank top’ PT uniform

When the Army’s vice chief of staff wore a tank top in an Army video, soldiers thought it was a vision of their fitness future. But the service is not issuing tank tops for the PT uniforms.

Marine Corps

The Marine Corps is looking for ‘volunteers’ to leave the service early

EAS baby, you can't stop time.

Navy

What the US Navy could learn from Ukraine about sinking enemy ships

Ukraine has used drone boats to sink Russian ships and destroy aircraft and the U.S. is paying close attention.

Air Force

Details in an Air Force crash report open window on drone flights

The drone's crew, flying from a base in Missouri, tried a "rack swap" to regain control of the MQ-9A Reaper, but a decoupled propeller ended in a crash in the Mediterranean Sea.

Army

No drone war for old men? How an Army exercise highlighted a generational divide

As the Army tests drone and counter-drone tech in Europe, its finding that its youngest soldiers have a distinct advantage.

Air Force

Sig Sauer pushes back on criticisms over safety of M17 and M18 pistols

Sig Sauer issued a statement that the pistols “CANNOT, under any circumstances,” fire without the trigger being pulled.

Army

South Korea tours will now be a year longer as Army cuts down on moves

Single soldiers will get two-year assignments instead of the typical 12-month tour. Soldiers with families will get three-year tours.

Air Force

Sig Sauer pistol still in wide use across military after airman’s death

While some units in the Air Force have pulled the M18 from duty after a discharge killed an airman last week, officials from the other services said they have no plans to modify or pause use of the pistol.

News

Marine veterans ‘instrumental’ in stopping stabbing attack, sheriff says

“I am just like any other member of the community. I wasn’t looking to be heroic. I just wanted to help my neighbors,” said one of the Marine veterans who intervened.

Navy

Search underway for a Navy sailor reported overboard on aircraft carrier USS George Washington

Search efforts are continuing for a sailor from the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, who was reported missing on Monday.

News

TRICARE could soon cover dependents up to 26 with no extra fees

The legislation, which failed to move forward in previous years, would allow dependents to stay on their parents’ military insurance until 26 without an extra premium.

Space Force

Space Force’s secretive X-37B space plane is heading back to orbit

The next flight will test out laser-based communications in low Earth orbit.

Artillery

‘Brutality over precision’ — What the Army is learning from Russia in Ukraine

A new Army report reveals how Russian forces are adapting to a long, grinding war — and what lessons the U.S. military is learning from it.

World War II

‘Atomic Echoes’ interviews survivors of atomic bombings

As the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings approaches, the documentary urges reflection and reckoning with a past that continues to shape our present.  

Iran

The US used nearly a quarter of its most advanced missile interceptors against Iran

American forces fired more than 150 THAAD interceptors at Iranian missiles and drones during the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran.

Entertainment

Comedian, soldier, and NSA mathematician Tom Lehrer dies at 97

The musical humorist used his Army experience as the basis for several of his songs, and in turn worked in references to his music in his work at the NSA.

Army

Army cadet dies during training at Fort Knox

Cadet Neil Edara, 22, was found unresponsive during land navigation.

Marine Corps

Marine veteran’s body was hidden in a closet for eight months

Michael S. Blankenship's corpse was stashed away while his cousin allegedly stole his benefits.

Africa

US forces capture ISIS finance chief in Somalia

Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf had overseen extortion for ISIS-Somalia since 2019.