Opinion Archives - Task & Purpose

By Richard Hanania Feb 24, 2021

Opinion

No more delays, no more excuses: It’s time to get the hell out of Afghanistan once and for all

It's time stop listening to those who have been wrong for two decades.

By David Nelson, The War Horse Feb 23, 2021

Opinion

A veteran’s 30-year journey to learn about a friend killed during the Vietnam War

"What a pointless waste of a remarkable young man’s life—and in a war with no light at the end of...

By Brennan Randel Feb 17, 2021

Opinion

Why talking about racism in the ranks will only make the US military stronger

Cohesive teams require trusting the person next to you.

By Carl Forsling Feb 6, 2021

Opinion

Veterans need to be honest about their loneliness and boredom after serving

The best and worst thing about being in the military is that it is all-consuming.

By Jason Dempsey and Emma Moore Feb 5, 2021

Opinion

The opportunities and challenges facing Lloyd Austin as defense secretary

Austin’s forty years in the military represent both the risk of inertia and a real opportunity to address serious issues.

By Nate Anderson and Joe Chenelly Feb 2, 2021

Opinion

America is bitterly divided. Here’s how our nation’s veterans can bring us together

America needs your service now more than ever.

By Jake Wood Jan 19, 2021

Opinion

Robert Bales murdered civilians in Afghanistan. A pardon would be a slap in the face to every service member

"A pardon of Robert Bales would soil our nation’s values and tarnish the honor and integrity of our nation’s warfighters."

By Steve Wahle Jan 15, 2021

Opinion

Opinion: Veterans who stormed the Capitol should lose their federal benefits

Those who dared to enter the building by force or threat of violence should have every one of their federal...

By Tony Valdovinos Dec 21, 2020

Opinion

I dreamed of becoming a Marine my entire life. Then I learned I was undocumented

"I couldn’t work legally. I couldn’t get a driver’s license. Worst of all, I was prohibited from defending my country."

By Lt Col Kaveri Crum and Emma Moore Dec 16, 2020

Opinion

How to build more resilient and innovative US special operations teams

U.S. special operations forces are at a breaking point. Here's how to fix them.

By Nathan Lowry, The War Horse Dec 9, 2020

Community

‘Time to find the Lion King in Pashto’ – One Marine’s epic struggle to deploy

“If you want this, you will have to compete for this slot all over again.”

By Florent Groberg and Michele S. Jones Dec 9, 2020

Opinion

It’s time for a post-9/11 veteran to lead the VA

The post-9/11 generation is ready to make history.

By Sloan Green, The War Horse Dec 2, 2020

Opinion

‘I bet it never smells like farts in there’ — How a C-17 pilot flies Secret Service agents around the world

I bet from the ground it looks like the U.S. government totally has their shit together.

By Benjamin Abel, The War Horse Nov 25, 2020

Opinion

‘You either went to war or you didn’t’ — How deployments divide the veteran community

There will always be that awkward silence that follows, “Yeah, I got out before the wars started."

By Carl Forsling Nov 25, 2020

Analysis

The Commandant of the Marine Corps is charging into the future, but some aren’t ready for change

The Corps has acted as a second land army so many times it’s flipped the dessert with the main course.

By Matthew Stroup Nov 24, 2020

Opinion

I struggled with thoughts of suicide. Vulnerability and connection kept me alive

Looking someone in the eye as you tell them you care is when the real work of suicide prevention begins.

By C. August Elliott Nov 23, 2020

Analysis

The unanswered questions from Australia’s harrowing war crimes report

Allegations of war crimes by Australian special forces in Afghanistan have been substantiated by the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Here's...

By Mike McGuinness, The War Horse Nov 18, 2020

Community

Clint Lorance ordered me to kill Afghan civilians. I still live with that guilt today

'I am angry and let down that Clint Lorance is feted around like some hero, while the real heroes—Nick Carson,...

By Shahad Alibadi Nov 12, 2020

Community

Families like mine risked our lives for US troops abroad. Now America is abandoning us

After Iraq’s liberation when I was just a child, my family had begun aiding the U.S. military. Here's the story...

By Zack Baddorf Nov 11, 2020

Opinion

We need more veterans serving in America’s newsrooms — and you can help

The support for veterans must be translated into action.

By Morgan Lerette, The War Horse Oct 21, 2020

Opinion

‘I’m here for the money’ — My life as a Blackwater mercenary

Wait. I need to feel bad about this. At least a little bad. Nope. These people don’t care about their...

By Chris Miller and Doug Livermore Oct 19, 2020

Analysis

Special Forces needs to go back to basics to win against China and Russia

This article provides force management recommendations meant to bring Special Forces “back to basics” and address this capability gap by...

By Maj. Adam DeMarco Oct 13, 2020

Opinion

Why I blew the whistle on the forceful clearing of Lafayette Square

National Guard Maj. Adam DeMarco explains why he chose to testify before Congress on the precarious position the U.S. military...

By Lt. Col. Stewart Parker and Emma Moore Sep 30, 2020

Analysis

What leaders can do now to strengthen US special operations forces

To build stronger special operations teams, leaders at all levels must identify and enforce priorities, focus on health and resilience,...

By Jacob Tice Sep 25, 2020

Opinion

My brother Austin asked me to go to Syria with him. Four months later, he was taken

Every second he stays in captivity cuts a deeper wound in the hearts of my family, and we can wait...

Opinion

News

Featured in Opinion

No more delays, no more excuses: It’s time to get the hell out of Afghanistan once and for all

A veteran’s 30-year journey to learn about a friend killed during the Vietnam War

Why talking about racism in the ranks will only make the US military stronger

Veterans need to be honest about their loneliness and boredom after serving

The opportunities and challenges facing Lloyd Austin as defense secretary

America is bitterly divided. Here’s how our nation’s veterans can bring us together

Robert Bales murdered civilians in Afghanistan. A pardon would be a slap in the face to every service member

Opinion: Veterans who stormed the Capitol should lose their federal benefits

I dreamed of becoming a Marine my entire life. Then I learned I was undocumented

How to build more resilient and innovative US special operations teams

‘Time to find the Lion King in Pashto’ – One Marine’s epic struggle to deploy

It’s time for a post-9/11 veteran to lead the VA

‘I bet it never smells like farts in there’ — How a C-17 pilot flies Secret Service agents around the world

‘You either went to war or you didn’t’ — How deployments divide the veteran community

The Commandant of the Marine Corps is charging into the future, but some aren’t ready for change

I struggled with thoughts of suicide. Vulnerability and connection kept me alive

The unanswered questions from Australia’s harrowing war crimes report

Clint Lorance ordered me to kill Afghan civilians. I still live with that guilt today

Families like mine risked our lives for US troops abroad. Now America is abandoning us

We need more veterans serving in America’s newsrooms — and you can help

‘I’m here for the money’ — My life as a Blackwater mercenary

Special Forces needs to go back to basics to win against China and Russia

Why I blew the whistle on the forceful clearing of Lafayette Square

What leaders can do now to strengthen US special operations forces

My brother Austin asked me to go to Syria with him. Four months later, he was taken