Combat Archives - Task & Purpose

By James Clark Jan 16, 2021

popular

This Gulf War footage of an F-16 dodging 6 Iraqi missiles is insane

“Stroke 3 break right. Break right. SAM lock."

By Haley Britzky Oct 16, 2020

Analysis

The military says it’s finally designing body armor for women for the umpteenth time this decade

"It really matters that we get this solved."

By James Clark Oct 13, 2020

History

The Marine Corps legend who tried to stop the Vietnam War

He was criticized for speaking out against the Vietnam War. It didn't matter that David M. Shoup was a Medal...

By James Clark Jul 15, 2020

News

Read the stories of the Marine Raiders awarded Silver and Bronze Stars for a hellish four-hour battle in Afghanistan

A Marine Raider who assaulted a bunker and recovered a wounded Afghan soldier during a four-hour firefight in Afghanistan last...

By Brock Vergakis, The Virginian-Pilot Feb 12, 2020

Community

She fought to survive as a child and trained as an Olympic wrestler. Now she shows Marines how to fight

Sgt. Melissa Paul is a wrestler who has been fighting all her life

By Peter Lucier, Long March Council of the Former Enlisted Dec 3, 2018

The Long March

What Carries You Through The Hard Parts Of Combat Isn’t Hazing — It’s A Good NCO

Luke Flowers argued on Friday in this column that we need less babying of our junior enlisted ranks. “We need...

By Paul Szoldra Oct 6, 2018

News

Pentagon Identifies Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

The Pentagon has identified the soldier killed in Afghanistan on Thursday while serving in support of Operation's Freedom Sentinel and...

By Ryan Pickrell, Business Insider Sep 26, 2018

Military Tech

The Pentagon Is Finally Ready To Send The F-35 Into Combat

The U.S. is finally ready to take its most expensive fighter jets into battle, as the F-35B Lightning II Joint...

By Paul Szoldra May 15, 2018

Code Red News

Here’s What Soldiers Feel And Think During Combat

Heart pounding. Fear. Tunnel vision. These are just a few of the physical and emotional responses soldiers reported upon their...

By James Clark Apr 29, 2018

Gear

KA-BAR Celebrates 120 Years Of Knife-Making And ‘BAR’ Slaying

Few pieces of gear are steeped in as much martial history as the KA-BAR Fighting Utility Knife — from stories...

By Matt Young Apr 24, 2018

Voices

‘Eat The Apple’ Is The Belligerent, Unflinchingly Honest Iraq War Memoir We Needed

Editor’s note: With self-lacerating wit, Eat The Apple is a new Iraq war memoir that spares nothing and no one,...

By Carmen Gentile Apr 13, 2018

Voices

He Was Hit In The Face By An RPG. Only Returning To War Made Him Whole

Editor's note: Carmen Gentile has covered the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and been featured in the New York Times,...

By Paul Szoldra Apr 10, 2018

Code Red News

US Troops Have Fought ISIS In Direct Ground Combat More Than You Think

U.S. troops on the ground in Iraq and Syria sent in for the so-called “advise and assist” mission against the...

By Tom Ricks Feb 27, 2018

The Long March

Air Force Combat Training Often Looks Like Paintballing

This is one of the better photos I’ve seen of Air Force training. I especially like the determined expression on...

By James Clark Jan 25, 2018

Transition

For Most Vets, PTSD Isn’t The Problem, ‘Transition Stress’ Is. Here’s What That Means

While post-traumatic stress disorder has become a much-discussed affliction, a seemingly more prevalent problem is going largely overlooked: transition stress....

By James Clark Oct 4, 2017

Lifestyle

Urban Outfitters Rolls Out Central Issue Facility Fall Catalog

The military usually isn’t the first organization that pops into your mind when someone says “fall fashion.” Just take a...

By James Clark Sep 14, 2017

News

13 Years Later, A Marine’s Silver Star Is Getting Upgraded To A Navy Cross. Here’s Why

An infantry Marine’s combat heroism in Iraq is getting an upgrade this afternoon. Former Staff Sgt. Eric Smith is set...

By Sarah Sicard Aug 2, 2017

Gear

Infantry Marines Can Now Train For Combat Without Ever Leaving The Barracks

Imagine you’re dropped into an active war zone, your boots on the ground, rifle over your shoulder, and your platoon...

By James Clark Aug 1, 2017

History

The Story Behind A Fallen Marine And The Warship The Navy Named After Him

Sgt. Rafael Peralta was one of the first Marine Corps heroes of the Global War on Terror that most Marines...

By James Clark Jul 31, 2017

Health & Fitness

Watch This Triple-Amputee Iraq Vet Win His First Competitive Jiu-Jitsu Match

With seconds left on the clock, Army veteran Joey Bozik landed a wrist lock and secured his first competitive win...

By James Clark Jun 16, 2017

Lifestyle

Here’s How Tim Kennedy Trains People To Be Impossible To Kill

“That means he's going to go down the street and throw more acid in the face of little girls. Yeah,...

By James Clark Jun 14, 2017

Entertainment

‘Call Of Duty’ Goes Back To Its Roots In Intense New Trailer

The new Call of Duty: WWII gameplay and cinematic trailer just dropped and it’s everything fans have been waiting for....

By James Clark Jun 12, 2017

Entertainment

5 Lines From Predator You’ve Always Wanted To Say On Deployment

Thirty years ago “Predator,” hit theaters and became an instant classic — and with good reason. It’s got everything you...

By James Clark Apr 20, 2017

History

Untold Stories Of The Harlem Hellfighters Of World War I

This year marks the centennial of the United States’ entrance into World War I — a conflict that claimed millions...

By James Clark Mar 31, 2017

News

Here Is Everything You Need To Know About The New Combat Award System

The military awards process has undergone some pretty significant changes, designed to recognize a service member’s contributions on and off...

Combat

News

Featured in Combat

This Gulf War footage of an F-16 dodging 6 Iraqi missiles is insane

The military says it’s finally designing body armor for women for the umpteenth time this decade

The Marine Corps legend who tried to stop the Vietnam War

Read the stories of the Marine Raiders awarded Silver and Bronze Stars for a hellish four-hour battle in Afghanistan

She fought to survive as a child and trained as an Olympic wrestler. Now she shows Marines how to fight

What Carries You Through The Hard Parts Of Combat Isn’t Hazing — It’s A Good NCO

Pentagon Identifies Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

The Pentagon Is Finally Ready To Send The F-35 Into Combat

Here’s What Soldiers Feel And Think During Combat

KA-BAR Celebrates 120 Years Of Knife-Making And ‘BAR’ Slaying

‘Eat The Apple’ Is The Belligerent, Unflinchingly Honest Iraq War Memoir We Needed

He Was Hit In The Face By An RPG. Only Returning To War Made Him Whole

US Troops Have Fought ISIS In Direct Ground Combat More Than You Think

Air Force Combat Training Often Looks Like Paintballing

For Most Vets, PTSD Isn’t The Problem, ‘Transition Stress’ Is. Here’s What That Means

Urban Outfitters Rolls Out Central Issue Facility Fall Catalog

13 Years Later, A Marine’s Silver Star Is Getting Upgraded To A Navy Cross. Here’s Why

Infantry Marines Can Now Train For Combat Without Ever Leaving The Barracks

The Story Behind A Fallen Marine And The Warship The Navy Named After Him

Watch This Triple-Amputee Iraq Vet Win His First Competitive Jiu-Jitsu Match

Here’s How Tim Kennedy Trains People To Be Impossible To Kill

‘Call Of Duty’ Goes Back To Its Roots In Intense New Trailer

5 Lines From Predator You’ve Always Wanted To Say On Deployment

Untold Stories Of The Harlem Hellfighters Of World War I

Here Is Everything You Need To Know About The New Combat Award System