service Archives - Task & Purpose

By Patricia Kime, Military.com May 16, 2020

News

Navy grants first service waiver to transgender officer

The officer will have her gender officially changed in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.

By Eric Navarro May 12, 2020

Opinion

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us one thing: we should all serve

With most of the United States under lockdown orders in an effort to “flatten the curve” in the fight against...

By Steven Mayer, The Bakersfield Californian Mar 31, 2020

News

‘One hell of a patriot’ — Combat airman who played Taps for over 5,000 veteran funerals dies at 98

As mourners gathered at veteran funerals, Otto always stood at parade rest, apart from the crowd. In 100-degree heat or...

By Ben Benton, Chattanooga Times Nov 6, 2019

popular

Operation Whitecoat: How conscientious objectors served their country as human guinea pigs

"We didn't want to bear arms and kill people, but we wanted to serve our country."

By Carl Forsling Mar 28, 2019

Vultures' Row

Selfless service and the ‘veteran superiority complex’

Unfortunately, too many vets believe their own PR, and subscribe to what I’d call the “veteran superiority complex.”

By Rip It Energy Fuel Sep 25, 2018

Lifestyle

6 Service Members And Vets Who Kick Ass And Take Names In Daily Life

No matter how much time you spend in the U.S. armed forces, the impulse to serve never fully goes away....

By Nina Semczuk Apr 17, 2018

Career

3 Tips To Making Your Military Service Relevant In A Civilian Job Interview

Say you’re at a dinner party. Sitting next to you is a petrochemical engineer. When you ask what she does...

By Empire Engineering Apr 10, 2018

The Long March

5 Rules To Live By When You Leave The Military, According To A Former NCO

So the time has come where your disillusionment for continued military service trumps your misguided teenage visions of honor, conquest,...

By James Clark Dec 22, 2017

News

All Marines Will Have To Take And Pass A New Battle Skills Test Starting 2018

Before newly minted Marines even reach the fleet, they spend months being inundated with knowledge and transformed from soft civilians...

By Task & Purpose Nov 10, 2017

Support

Want To Thank A Vet For Their Service? Here Are 7 Impactful Projects You Can Support For Veterans Day

Editor’s Note: Task & Purpose and GoFundMe teamed up to highlight seven GoFundMe campaigns that are making a difference in...

By James Clark Sep 28, 2017

History

If Hugh Hefner Hadn’t Been A POG, There Would Be No Playboy

Hugh Hefner, the founder and avatar of Playboy, died of natural causes on Sept. 27 at age 91. With his...

By James Clark Sep 19, 2017

History

Remember when Jimi Hendrix got kicked out of the Army for masturbating?

Before Jimi Hendrix was a living icon, knocking out psychedelic guitar riffs and counterculture ballads that remained relevant after his...

By James Clark Sep 6, 2017

popular

Here’s How Marines Fared On The New Physical Fitness Test

This year, the Marine Corps set out to make Marines stronger, faster and generally more fit by raising the service’s...

By Matt Pearce, Los Angeles Times Aug 31, 2017

News

A ‘Cajun Navy’ Of Makeshift Boats Is Mounting Its Own Dunkirk To Rescue Victims Of Harvey

PORT ARTHUR, Texas — In no other place in America would there be a traffic jam like this. On U.S....

By James Clark Aug 29, 2017

Joining the Military

8 photos of the Marine Corps’ last-standing cavalry unit

“I feel a great sense of pride every time I put on that uniform and get on a horse.”

By James Clark Jul 25, 2017

Humor

10 Times You Said To Yourself ‘I Didn’t Sign Up For This’

Sooner or later, almost everyone in the military will say the following: “I didn’t sign up for this shit,” followed...

By James Clark Jul 25, 2017

Reviews

The Marine Corps Is Wondering If Cloth Rank Insignia Is The Way To Go

Here’s a familiar scenario for most enlisted Marines: You’re walking along when you see an older Marine barreling toward you...

By James Clark Jul 14, 2017

Humor

The 10 Dumbest Ways You Injured Yourselves In The Military

Military service obviously comes with considerable bodily risk — there’s all that service abroad, at sea, or in a no-shit...

By James Clark Jul 6, 2017

Entertainment

A Roofing Company’s Viral Ad Campaign Is Pure Patriotism Chambered In 5.56

Dressed like a Chippendales Uncle Sam, one enterprising Navy veteran and roofer is capitalizing on the nation’s birthday this year...

By James Clark Jun 29, 2017

Humor

11 Objects That Only Veterans Will Look At And Think ‘Sure, That’s A Toilet’

There are always differences between service members’ experiences. You’ve got soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors, and coasties; grunts and POGs; officers...

By James Clark Mar 8, 2016

Family & Relationships

3 Things To Know About Long-Distance Relationships In The Military

Holding down a long-distance relationship in the military is hard as hell. Military relationships fall apart for a host of...

By James Clark Mar 3, 2016

History

A Navy Veteran’s Story Of Brotherhood During The Jim Crow Era

When Arby L. Hambric speaks, the 89-year-old Navy veteran chooses his words with deliberate care and manages to flank each...

By James Clark Feb 29, 2016

Humor

When It Comes To Military Humor, Go Easy On The Jargon, Bro

When it comes to cracking jokes and generally making people laugh, military service gives you a lot of material to...

By James Clark Jan 25, 2016

Entertainment

The Best MRE-Inspired Videos On The Internet

A staple of modern military service, MREs, or Meals Ready-To-Eat, are a common sight as well as a common source...

By James Clark Jan 20, 2016

Transition

5 Opinions On Military Life That Change When You Become A Veteran

When big life changes occur, it can alter the way one sees the world. This is also true for active-duty...

service

News

Featured in service

Navy grants first service waiver to transgender officer

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us one thing: we should all serve

‘One hell of a patriot’ — Combat airman who played Taps for over 5,000 veteran funerals dies at 98

Operation Whitecoat: How conscientious objectors served their country as human guinea pigs

Selfless service and the ‘veteran superiority complex’

6 Service Members And Vets Who Kick Ass And Take Names In Daily Life

3 Tips To Making Your Military Service Relevant In A Civilian Job Interview

5 Rules To Live By When You Leave The Military, According To A Former NCO

All Marines Will Have To Take And Pass A New Battle Skills Test Starting 2018

Want To Thank A Vet For Their Service? Here Are 7 Impactful Projects You Can Support For Veterans Day

If Hugh Hefner Hadn’t Been A POG, There Would Be No Playboy

Remember when Jimi Hendrix got kicked out of the Army for masturbating?

Here’s How Marines Fared On The New Physical Fitness Test

A ‘Cajun Navy’ Of Makeshift Boats Is Mounting Its Own Dunkirk To Rescue Victims Of Harvey

8 photos of the Marine Corps’ last-standing cavalry unit

10 Times You Said To Yourself ‘I Didn’t Sign Up For This’

The Marine Corps Is Wondering If Cloth Rank Insignia Is The Way To Go

The 10 Dumbest Ways You Injured Yourselves In The Military

A Roofing Company’s Viral Ad Campaign Is Pure Patriotism Chambered In 5.56

11 Objects That Only Veterans Will Look At And Think ‘Sure, That’s A Toilet’

3 Things To Know About Long-Distance Relationships In The Military

A Navy Veteran’s Story Of Brotherhood During The Jim Crow Era

When It Comes To Military Humor, Go Easy On The Jargon, Bro

The Best MRE-Inspired Videos On The Internet

5 Opinions On Military Life That Change When You Become A Veteran