“No one left behind” is a phrase inextricably linked with our military culture. The concept is a pillar that supports the platform of what it means to serve, analogous to “defending those who can’t defend themselves” and “protecting our freedom.” Like all military axioms, no one left behind means many different things, depending on the […]
How a US Air Force fighter landed itself after the pilot ejected
HistoryThe story of the “Cornfield Bomber,” an aircraft that landed without a pilot, might not sound very impressive in today’s age of drones and increased automation. The narrative changes drastically when one key piece of information is added: this happened in 1970, after the pilot was forced to eject from a jet he had last […]
DOD: Masks no longer required for vaccinated personnel
Military AffairsIn a long-awaited and significant step towards normalcy in the wake of the COVID epidemic, the Department of Defense (DOD) has determined that masks are no longer required for vaccinated personnel, either indoors or outdoors on DOD facilities. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks sent a memo on Thursday to senior Pentagon leadership, commanders of […]
Five service academy football players signed as free agents
Off DutyIn another strange year where the player evaluation process was changed significantly because of coronavirus, the three football-playing service academies did not see anyone taken in the first seven rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft, but five were signed as free agents in the hours immediately following. The Air Force gets inter-service bragging rights this […]
Pentagon to be investigated for its handling of UAP reports
Military AffairsAs the clock ticks down to the highly-anticipated day that the Pentagon is required to tell Congress what they know about unidentified flying objects (UFO’s), the Defense Department Inspector General’s Office announced it will be conducting its own investigation into how the military and intelligence communities have handled reports of UFOs. UFOs, or unidentified aerial […]
A Marine’s guide to surviving deployment aboard a Navy ship
Off DutySo you’re a Marine headed out on your first ship-based deployment and you’re wondering what life at sea with the Navy will be like. Your unit will likely give you a packing list, and there are sure to be a few salty dogs kicking around to give you some (hopefully) good advice from the voice […]
Philippine official goes off about China’s aggression in Twitter rant
Military AffairsChinese aggression via its maritime militia continues to fuel tensions in the South China Sea, and the outspoken foreign minister of the Philippines, Teodoro Locsin, has clearly had enough. He took to the internet on Monday, voicing his displeasure in a Tweet with colorful language not often seen from government officials. Locsin later apologized for […]
Army Recruiting Command hosting second ‘Hiring Days’ event
RecruitingThe US Army Recruiting Command will kick off its second National Hiring Days event on May 10th. The concept was born last year as a means of boosting recruiting that had slowed down like everything else in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Army is aware that many are still struggling financially, and could […]
Trying to predict the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft
Off DutyThis year’s NFL Draft will be a unique one for several reasons. Anyone on the inside will tell you that the scouting combine doesn’t have the dramatic effect on players’ stock that some of the pundits in the sports world would have you believe, but it is still a piece of player evaluation that is […]
The Russian Air Force is its own worst enemy
FeaturedThe Russian Air Force added to its long string of recent incidents and mishaps on Tuesday, this time costing three of its pilots their lives. The ejection system of a Tu-22M3 bomber was accidentally activated during pre-flight checks, and the low altitude did not allow for the crew’s parachutes to open, killing three and injuring […]
