Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 89)

Army

What the Army and Navy service academies look for in future officers

The top military officers for the Army and Navy’s service academies lay out what they look for in prospective students, and what they hope graduates will bring to the military.

Culture

Behold, West Point’s t-shirt cannon tank

“The kids always love to try to get a t-shirt, but the parents are the ones that come down and are like ‘shoot me in the stomach!’”

Navy

Navy dismisses cases against SEAL commanders in ‘Hell Week’ training death

The Navy has dropped its cases against Capt. Bradley Geary and Cmdr. Erik Ramey, who had been told previously that they needed to appear before boards of inquiry.

Culture

Nate Boyer, Green Beret turned NFL player, on the parallels between military service and sports

"The number one thing when you ask vets and athletes what they missed, they always say, ‘I missed the guys.'"

Army

In Iraq and Afghanistan ‘our future was always written,’ but the next war is uncertain, says 101st commander

“In the 2001 time period we joined, kind of, we always knew what we were doing," said Maj. Gen. Brett Sylvia. "Whereas now we are training for very uncertain times."

News

Vance’s guest at Army-Navy game will be Marine vet acquitted in subway choking

Marine veteran Daniel Penny will attend the Army-Navy game with Vice President-elect JD Vance and President-elect Donald Trump.

The Pentagon Rundown

US combat experience in a fight with China, shake up at the 4-star level and more news

The Pentagon Rundown is a bit different this week, mostly because your trusted reporter within the five-sided fun house is out. Instead, let's talk about all the great stories he wrote.

Air Force

Meet the first woman to make Chief Master Sgt in the Air Force’s rugged SERE world

A recruiter tried to dissuade her from SERE because "barely any women make it." Now Tiffany Zaloudek is the job's first female chief.

Air Force

Military academies saw drop in reports of sexual assault and harassment but rates remain high

In 2024, 783 service academy cadets and midshipmen experienced sexual assault and harassment, 31% less than two years ago. The 2024 number is the second highest on record since 2006.

Army

She joined the Army at 45. Now she’s vying to be an Army Golden Knight

Spc. Maribeth Kossman joined the Army at 45 to become a Golden Knight after serving in the Navy, teaching elementary school and finding a love of skydiving in her off time.

Space Force

Space Force wants its own boot camp

Space Force recruits currently attend Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, where they have their own curriculum.

Marine Corps

Top Marine says combat experience gives US the edge over China’s military

"Our experience in the cauldron of combat will give us an advantage in any future fight,” Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith told Task & Purpose.

Navy

Navy cuts length of boot camp for new recruits from 10 weeks to 9 weeks

Recruits will still undergo the 12-hour Battle Stations 21 training event and the "Sailor for Life" curriculum.

History

Here are the Army-Navy football game players who later earned the Medal of Honor

Less than a dozen cadets and midshipman who faced off in the Army-Navy football game have later received the nation's highest award for combat bravery.

Army

Army fires 4-star general for improper influence in subordinate’s selection for command

Gen. Charles Hamilton has been relieved of command after an Army investigation found he used undue influence to help an officer get selected for command.

History

World War I Native American soldiers could be in line for Medals of Honor

Many were given different names during their service, making their identities much harder to trace.

Air Force

US warplanes strike 75 ISIS targets in Syria: ‘We saw the opportunity and we took it’

Air Force planes dropped roughly 140 munitions on a “very broad” gathering of ISIS fighters early Sunday morning.

Air Force

Beards in the Air Force and Space Force will be debated in Congress

The service will have to brief Congress on a pilot program that would allow service members to grow beards.

Analysis

What is a ‘100% disability’ rating and what does that actually mean for veterans

Amid an ongoing debate about veterans benefits, here’s how the disability rating system works and what veterans deal with as they navigate it.

Middle East

US to ‘remain vigilant,’ support stability after fall of Assad in Syria

President Joe Biden called Assad's defeat a "fundamental act of justice" and pledged to continue to fight against ISIS inside Syria after rebels took Damascus.