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Refueling ship to get Presidential Unit Citation
The USNS Kanawha supported military operations in the Caribbean and in Operation Epic Fury.
Three officers who overcame desperate odds receive Medals of Honor
Two Marines who served heroically in Vietnam and an Army officer who used his body to shield a soldier in Afghanistan received the award.
This Air Force officer has set 17 Guinness World Records — so far
Air Force Maj. Johnny Cruz Buckingham, a former tanker pilot, raises money for children’s programs by attempting to set new Guinness World Records.
Soldier who shielded Jewish POWs from guards will receive Medal of Honor
Ordered at gunpoint to separate Jewish soldiers from other POWs, Army Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds called a full formation of Americans and told a German commander: “We are all Jews.”
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Red Hill families to split $17 million in latest water contamination settlement
Department of Justice officials said they have settled with 3,600 people over the Red Hill spill so far with hundreds more at various stages in the process.
The Army wants a ‘Heavy’ Infantry Squad Vehicle to use as a battery on wheels
National Guard units are now adopting the once-troubled truck, just as the Army is beginning to look for an electric “heavy” version.
US military helping plan Venezuela earthquake relief
U.S. Southern Command is working with the State Department as part of the American government’s efforts to help Venezuela following two major earthquakes.
Fire breaks out aboard USS Indianapolis, leaving 7 with minor injuries
Seven shipboard personnel were evaluated at local hospitals for minor injuries and cleared to return to the ship on Wednesday, a Navy spokesperson said.
Marines had multiple firefights while defending US embassy in Haiti, commander says
“There were multiple engagements at the embassy in Haiti, in which we received and returned fire,” said Col. Tom “Banshee” Trimble, who led the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
All military recruits are once again required to get flu shots
After a trainee died following a flu outbreak at Air Force basic training, the Pentagon issued exceptions to “safeguard at-risk populations.”
Naval Academy brings back short haircuts for new female midshipmen
The U.S. Naval Academy is once again requiring women to cut their hair short, a regulation that goes back to the first class of women in 1976.
AI is meant to speed up ‘kill chain,’ not control it, commanders say
“The critical distinction is between AI supporting the kill chain and AI controlling the kill chain.”
Last soldier out of Afghanistan now the latest general to step down
A source familiar with the matter confirmed to Task & Purpose that Gen. Christopher Donahue will soon relinquish command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa.
A third of military families report $500 or less in emergency savings
Emergency savings are commonly looked at as an indicator for whether households can bounce back from unexpected costs or crises.
Marines in Okinawa receive anti-ship and counter-drone weapons systems
One expert described the NMESIS anti-ship system as the “backbone” of the Marine Littoral Regiment.
Coast Guard helicopter crashes in southern Alaska
Four people were onboard the MH-60 Jayhawk when it went down during a training flight.
Air Force technical sergeants see highest promotion rate in 5 years
One of every four eligible staff sergeants will get to sew on an extra stripe in 2026, the highest rate since 2021.
VA chief vows to fire employee accused of abusing Marine veteran at state facility
The incident allegedly took place at the New York State Veterans Home at Montrose and drew the attention and condemnation of the department’s top official.
Space Force to test new mess dress uniform this fall
The Space Force is testing its new mess dress uniform for guardians to wear for formal occasions.
US carries out days of airstrikes in Somalia after a month’s pause
A week of strikes targeted al-Shabab in renewed fighting against the militant group.
Task & Purpose was founded in 2014 to cover the military and veteran community from a rank-and-file perspective, and continues to do so with accurate reporting and great storytelling to this day. Our journalists have reported on the front lines of the Standing Rock protests in North Dakota and the war in Afghanistan. We’ve uncovered American veterans being abused in Kuwaiti prisons, deported veterans being forced to work for Mexican cartels, and drawn national attention to a longstanding legal rule barring service members from suing the government — even in the face of gross negligence.
