Air Force Captain Finds Resilience Through Endurance Running

Oct. 5, 2026 | By Air Force Staff Sgt. Cheyenne Lewis Roberts, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs |

Military service demands sustained physical and mental resilience. Air Force Capt. John Blasingame put that standard to the test in the Bigfoot 200, a 200-mile ultramarathon marked by steep elevation changes, unforgiving terrain and up to 107 hours of sleep deprivation.

As the Headquarters Air Force A2 Directorate for Intelligence Analysis, Partnerships and Engagement executive officer, Blasingame is no stranger to demanding operations. More than a distance event, the race tests endurance, judgment and recovery under prolonged stress; it profoundly evaluates how the human mind and body function when pushed past the threshold of complete exhaustion. 

His path to ultra-running was born out of personal crisis, not athletic ambition. In 2022, while stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, he faced severe mental health struggles that led to hospitalization. 

"There were a lot of things in my life that I was trying to fix on my own power ... that I just couldn't fix," Blasingame recalled. "I decided I need to go back to the basics. I need to just try to find peace." 

Seeking that peace, he began waking up before dawn to listen to worship music and run on the Hickam track. 

What began as a coping outlet developed into a disciplined commitment to endurance running. In 2023, he completed his first marathon. By 2025, he ran 12 ultra-marathons in 12 months. In 2026, he won five races outright, set two course records and ranked in the top 100 nationally. 

Bigfoot was a steppingstone toward his ultimate objective of winning the Grand Slam of 200-Mile Ultra-Marathons, a feat few can achieve, even among the world's most resilient athletes.

For Blasingame, ultra-running is more than a physical challenge. The sport builds the physical endurance, mental discipline and resilience that support combat readiness. 

"A warrior, as I understand the concept, is just someone who is willing to be broken and is willing to engage with his or her own weakness," he said. "You don't get strength apart from weakness, and in the same way, I think ultra-running reveals that to me in a very tangible way. No one ever finishes without these really dark moments where you think, 'this sucks,' but you make the decision to take another step forward." 

But just as no solo operator wins on the battlefield, no ultra-runner conquers 200 miles alone. Behind the captain is his father, Don, his ultimate support system, who came to Hawaii during his darkest hours and continues to support him on the trail.

"Running became an expression of the healing, discipline and sense of purpose that were already developing in him," his father reflected. "Over time, running gave John another way to challenge himself and discover what he was capable of. As John's father, I'm incredibly proud of the runner he has become, but I'm much prouder of the man he continues to become. I've watched him grow in discipline, resilience, humility and faith." 

When the race commenced Aug. 14, Blasingame's discipline and his father's support were put to the test. The Cascade Mountains presented a relentless obstacle course of steep climbs, spotty satellite tracking and zero cell coverage — forcing Blasingame's crew to drive nearly 1,000 miles along winding mountain passes to meet him at remote aid stations. 

The physical and emotional toll was immediate. At his lowest points, huddled alone in the dark at mile 37, and again at miles 102 and 118, the mountain fog rolled in and Blasingame's competitive expectations began to slip away. He found himself lying devastated at aid stations, too exhausted to run. During those critical breaks, his support team stepped in to manage the physical toll, ensuring he rested and refueled before sending him back out onto the course. 

With his team by his side, his deep faith and his personal mantra, "stand up again," he was determined to drive forward and conquer the Bigfoot 200. Rather than fighting the clock, he used Scripture as a quiet anchor in the dirt, choosing to fight the simple battle of perseverance one step at a time.

Blasingame pushed through the final, grueling miles toward the finish line, completing the 206-mile course in just over 81 hours. While his athletic drive left him slightly disappointed with his overall competitive standing, the deeper victory was unmistakable. 

"The finish line wasn't a cinematic moment — it was a jumble of gratitude and raw, physical exhaustion," Blasingame said. "The lesson that this race reinforced is that strength isn't about being invincible; it's about what you do after your break. My hope is that when some of my airmen hit their own inevitable breaking points, they will look at my mess, see how I have found strength to stand back up and realize they can likewise find strength in their own brokenness."

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Sgt. Alvin York

 Oct. 5, 2026 | By David Vergun, Pentagon News |

Army Sgt. Alvin C. York, an infantryman, received the Medal of Honor for valor due to his heroic actions during a World War I operation in France, actions that would be immortalized in the 1941 film "Sergeant York."

York was born Dec. 13, 1887, in Pall Mall, Tennessee. His father, William Uriah York, was a blacksmith, hunter and farmer on their 75-acre plot. His mother, Mary Elizabeth York, was a busy housewife, tending to their 11 children. York had minimal schooling. He helped with the farm and became a sharpshooter, skills honed from years of hunting. 

In November 1917, York was drafted into the Army, despite claiming conscientious objector status. He went to basic military training at Camp Gordon, Georgia, with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 328th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Infantry Division, the unit he would remain with throughout the war. 

In June 1918, he arrived in France. In September, his regiment participated in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and later engaged in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest World War I American operation.

During this offensive and on the date of his valor, Oct. 8, 1918, York, a corporal at the time, and his unit were tasked with capturing a railroad. The platoon got lost in the forest behind enemy lines and soon were met with machine-gun fire.  

Nine members were killed, including all of the noncommissioned officers, leading York to assume command of the platoon. Fearlessly leading the remaining seven men, he charged toward a machine-gun nest which was pouring incessant fire at his platoon.  

At the time, York was carrying a rifle and a pistol. During his heroic ordeal, he used his hunting skills to silence the machine-gun nest, killing 25 Germans and leading to the enemy commander surrendering. All in all, his unit took 132 prisoners. 

York was promoted to sergeant Nov. 10, 1918, just a day before the end of the war, honored today as Veterans Day. The Medal of Honor was presented to him the following April in France, by Army Maj. Gen. George B. Duncan, 82nd Infantry Division commander. 

On May 22, 1919, he arrived back in the U.S., to a hero's welcome, aboard the cargo ship SS Ohioan and was discharged from the Army a week later. 

The next month, he married his childhood sweetheart, Gracie Loretta Williams. They had eight children, with three of his sons going on to serve in the military. 

Following the war, local nonprofit and other civic organizations raised enough money to build York a large, two-story home and to purchase 400 acres of land for him along the Wolf River in Pall Mall. 

York committed the rest of his life to philanthropic causes, establishing a Bible school in his hometown, founding the Alvin C. York Foundation to increase economic and education opportunities in eastern Tennessee and founding the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute in Jamestown, Tennessee. 

During World War II, York tried to reenlist and serve in combat. However, he had health issues that prevented his request. Instead, he served stateside as an Army major, in the Army Signal Corps giving motivational speeches to troops, teaching marksmanship and promoting war bonds. 

York died Sept. 2, 1964, and was buried at Wolf River Cemetery in Pall Mall. His wife died Sept. 27, 1984, and was buried beside him. 

York's grandson, retired Army Col. Gerald E. York, was in the Army for 31 years, serving in combat during the Vietnam War. He continues to work to preserve his grandfather's legacy, running the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation, which supports education opportunities in eastern Tennessee. 

His Medal of Honor is on display at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville. 

The site of his birthplace log cabin and his postwar farmhouse are preserved as part of the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park in Pall Mall.

The film "Sergeant York" is loosely based on his upbringing and wartime experience. Gary Cooper, the lead actor, won an Academy Award for his realistic portrayal of York. 

A bronze statue of him is on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. The Alvin C. York Institute that he founded is now a high school. The Alvin C. York Hospital in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the Alvin C. York Bridge that spans the Tennessee River are named for him, as well as York Avenue in New York City.

Kentucky Guardsmen Sharpen Capabilities Alongside NATO Partners

Oct. 1, 2026 | By Dale Greer,123rd Airlift Wing |

Airmen assigned to the Kentucky Air National Guard enhanced their global capabilities while training alongside NATO partners from the United Kingdom and Canada in Scotland this summer. 

The guardsmen deployed four C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, 62,000 pounds of equipment and 60 personnel to Glasgow Prestwick Airport in South Ayrshire, Scotland, Aug. 14-22. 

While there, they conducted specialized fueling operations, low-level formation flying and rapid-reaction aircraft launches to maintain combat mission certifications. The airmen also completed maritime equipment and personnel airdrops, including two open-ocean rescue scenarios with a helicopter unit assigned to the British Royal Navy. 

"The deployment was designed to accomplish a large amount of C-130J continuation and tactical training while taking advantage of an unfamiliar overseas operating environment and opportunities to work directly with allied partners," said Air Force Lt. Col. Nick Reinke, the mission commander and a C-130 pilot assigned to the 165th Airlift Squadron. 

He added that while many of the individual training events could be conducted in the U.S., it is much harder to reproduce an unfamiliar environment.  

"At home station, crews know the airspace, air traffic control procedures, airfields, support agencies and local practices," Reinke said. "In Scotland, even something as routine as a proficiency circuit required crews to understand and coordinate with a different [air traffic control] system." 

Reinke said coordination with host nation agencies was critical to the exercise's success. 

"That forces crews to solve the kinds of interoperability, communication, planning and adaptation problems they encounter when operating globally. Worldwide capability is more than simply being able to fly across the Atlantic. It means arriving with the people and equipment needed to operate, understanding an unfamiliar airspace and support structure, integrating with allied forces, adapting when weather or circumstances change the plan, and continuing to accomplish the mission." 

Reinke added that the deployment also underscored the importance of relationships. 

The Kentucky unit, based in Louisville, worked closely with civilian support agencies at Glasgow Prestwick Airport to complete specialized fueling operations, during which a C-130J was refueled while its engines were still running. Reinke said this "hot pit" method validated the airport's ability to support the technique and provided practical experience to host-nation fuel personnel. 

"That partnership leaves behind a more capable location for follow-on and allied forces in the future, rather than the benefit ending when our deployment ended," he noted. 

One of the deployment's key accomplishments was a five-ship formation flight, conducted with four Kentucky aircraft and one C-130J from the Royal Canadian Air Force. 

"The Canadian aircraft commander was actually a U.S. Marine Corps exchange pilot," Reinke said. "That meant our mission planning and briefing had to reconcile U.S. Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps procedures and terminology to make sure everyone had the same understanding before execution. That is exactly the kind of interoperability that is difficult to simulate." 

The deployment's other main focus was open-ocean rescue. 

The scenario required a U.S. Air Force C-130 crew to locate a stranded airman floating in a life raft on the Atlantic Ocean, miles from shore. Loadmasters then airdropped an inflatable motorboat near the victim, and three special tactics airmen used precision jumpmaster techniques to parachute into the ocean, deploy the boat and provide first aid. Once complete, they coordinated with the Royal Navy's 814 Naval Air Squadron to execute helicopter hoist operations and extract the victim as the C-130 provided overwatch. 

"The integration with the Royal Navy was one of the highlights of the exercise," Reinke said. "It allowed our pararescue personnel and C-130J crews to integrate fixed-wing airdrop, maritime rescue, rotary-wing insertion and recovery, and on-scene command and control with a NATO partner." 

A pararescue flight chief for the special tactics team described the operating environment in Scotland as "vastly different" from training locations in the United States. 

"It's a lot colder here, and the salt water is an unusual factor for us," he said. "The Royal Navy also uses different geolocation methods, and they have different tactics and techniques than we typically employ." 

He noted that the Royal Navy's helicopter, a Merlin Mk2, generates substantially more rotor wash than the UH-60 Black Hawk. 

"Those are the kinds of things you don't anticipate, but we were able to work through them and figure out what worked best for their guys and for us," the airman said. "We had to be flexible on the spot to get the mission done." 

Royal Navy Capt. James Hall said the exercise provided valuable opportunities for the Merlin Mk2 force to enhance capabilities outside of its normal role in antisubmarine warfare. 

"Exercises such as this, conducted alongside our United States Air Force partners, enable our crews to maintain and enhance critical search and rescue skills, while strengthening the interoperability that underpins NATO's collective security," he said. 

Royal Navy Lt. S. Cass, a flight commander assigned to the 814 Naval Air Squadron, agreed, adding that he hopes to continue working with "our friends across the pond" in the years to come. 

Reinke called the deployment an unqualified success, not necessarily for any single event but for the readiness training they were able to layer into one exercise. 

"We were able to use legitimate flight training requirements to generate maximum value, ensuring worldwide readiness while working with our international partners," he said. "We also were able to build strong human relationships with the men and women of our partner nations, laying the kind of foundation that makes coalition operations successful."

Marine Corps Achieves FY26 Recruiting Mission, Secures Strong Start for FY27

Oct. 2, 2026 | By Jim Edwards, Marine Corps Recruiting Command |

Marine Corps Recruiting Command exceeded its fiscal year 2026 recruiting mission across every component and category, leading a historic, departmentwide rebound in military enlistments.

Defying national trends and proving that the appeal of elite service remains unmatched, the Marine Corps' relentless recruiting force accessed 31,250 enlisted Marines, 1,672 officers, and 3,503 prior service reserve Marines in FY26. Notably, Marine recruiters maintained the Corps' legendary high-quality standards, exceeding War Department accession baselines in all categories.

This achievement directly aligns with the department's emphasis on the value of service.

"Our success this year is a testament to the disciplined execution of our elite recruiting force on the streets of America," said Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Walker M. Field, Marine Corps Recruiting Command commanding general.

"Likewise, it is emblematic of the legion of young Americans who are choosing, of their own volition, to serve this great nation of ours. The few young Americans who earn the title of Marine espouse the rare trifecta of physical, intellectual and moral fortitude to become elite warriors."

While recruiting duty remains challenging, the landscape in FY26, to include honoring the nation's 250th birthday, was the most favorable in the past five years. Driven by a high volume of interested applicants and paired with historically strong retention rates across the Corps, Marine recruiters not only met their goals; they aggressively positioned the service for the future. 

Remarkably, the Marine Corps Recruiting Command has already contracted more than half of its entire FY27 mission, establishing a resilient, ready recruiting pool.

"Our Marines have performed superbly, and they represent our Corps with pride and honor," said Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Jesse J. Dorsey, Marine Corps Recruiting Command sergeant major.

This sustained success aligns with and is accelerated by what the secretary of the Navy calls the department's "fight for the narrative," a unified public messaging strategy that ensures the American people understand the unmatched career, educational and professional value of military service.

Marines to Support NATO Security Initiative in Baltic Sea

Oct. 1, 2026 | By Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott Schmidt, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa |

A specialized team of Marines deployed to Europe will be redirected to the Baltic Sea region to support the NATO-led enhanced vigilance activity Baltic Sentry. 

Approximately four dozen Marines assigned to the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, based at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, will operate alongside Finland's Coastal Brigade to provide advanced expeditionary surveillance and tactical reconnaissance capabilities. The activity is designed to enhance maritime domain awareness to protect critical undersea infrastructure and support overall security in the region. 

Baltic Sentry represents a highly integrated collective defense effort. European allies lead the effort under Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum and Allied Maritime Command, with the U.S. Marine Corps serving in a supportive, enabling capacity. 

Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Daniel Shipley, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa commander, said the operational design is a premier example of European allies spearheading regional maritime security while the U.S. projects highly specialized, agile force multipliers. 

"Our participation in Baltic Sentry demonstrates the dynamic agility of the Marine Corps to rapidly project specialized capabilities where they are most effective," he said. "Working side by side with our Finnish allies strengthens our collective readiness, ensuring we can operate seamlessly as a cohesive, lethal team to deter hybrid threats in the Baltic littoral." 

The rotation will leverage the unique capabilities of reconnaissance Marines, including small unmanned aerial systems and littoral sensors, to feed vital data directly into the shared NATO common operational picture. 

"The experience, skills and systems of the U.S. Marine Corps are perfectly suited for supplementing our situation picture and supporting our monitoring of the Baltic Sea," said Finnish Navy Capt. Johan Tillander, Finland Navy Command chief of operations. 

Maintaining stability along Europe's critical maritime choke points protects the physical and economic security of the transatlantic community. As a defensive vigilance activity, Baltic Sentry underscores the alliance's immediate readiness, technological adaptability, and collective resolve to deter and decisively defeat any threat to regional stability.

Between Jumps: The Work Behind a 2-Hour Airborne Mission

Oct. 2, 2026 | By Dana Rosso, Alaska National Guard |

Inside the King 98 — a call sign for an HC-130J Combat King II — loadmasters prepared for another group of jumpers while the aircrew set up the next approach. 

A completed parachute drop meant finishing a checklist, rerigging the static-line retrieval system and checking it again. As the King 98 climbed, the crew gathered wind data to determine where the next jumpers should exit.

"The biggest change between each pass, especially the static-line jumps, is the rigging," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kimberly Gunia, a loadmaster assigned to the 211th Rescue Squadron, Alaska Air National Guard. "We have to rerig our static-line retrieval system."

The crew put that preparation into practice during a Sept. 23 mission over Malemute Drop Zone at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska. In less than two hours of flight time, the crew supported active-duty Army and Air National Guard parachutists at three altitudes, deployed free-fall parabundles and practiced visual and instrument landing system approaches at Elmendorf Field.

The jumpers included pararescuemen assigned to the 212th Rescue Squadron and active-duty Army paratroopers assigned to the 4th Quartermaster Company, 725th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division.

The two groups' parachute systems required different approaches. The Army's static-line systems offer limited steering, so the aircrew has to calculate a release point based on winds, aircraft speed and the time jumpers need to exit. The pararescuemen's more maneuverable parachutes gave them greater ability to steer toward the target.

"The stricter drop parameters for the Army jumps compared to the 212th highlight the importance of coordinating and planning carefully with two different users with different demands," said Air Force Capt. Tyler Dent, a 211th Rescue Squadron combat systems officer.

That coordination began the day before the flight. The aircrew and jumpers planned the mission. Once aboard, the loadmasters reviewed the aircraft's setup with the jumpmasters to resolve any remaining questions.

During the drops, Gunia and other loadmasters counted jumpers who were standing and connected to the static line, checking for any differences against the briefed plan. Between static-line passes, the loadmasters rerigged the cable and winch used to retrieve deployment bags after jumpers exited. Gunia said the system could also retrieve a jumper being towed behind the aircraft if the jumper could not be released.

"Experienced crews can complete this in under five minutes," Dent said, "and in that time the crew in the front end is evaluating winds and setting up for their next approach."

The mission called for Army static-line jumps at 1,000 feet, pararescuemen static-line jumps at 3,000 feet and military free-fall jumps at 10,000 feet. During climbs, the aircrew leveled off periodically to collect wind data. Lower-altitude winds closely matched the forecast, but the winds at higher altitudes differed enough for Dent to update his calculations.

Light winds at 10,000 feet presented another challenge. Releasing near the center of the launch acceptability region, the area where jumpers could exit and still reach their intended target, would place the free-fall jumpers almost directly above that point. During the run-in, Dent and the pararescuemen jumpmaster discussed moving the release farther north so the jumpers could see the target and steer toward it.

"We elected to release on the outer ring of the [launch acceptability region] to allow the jumpers to make good visual contact with the [intended landing point] and put them in a position to drive toward it rather than wheeling down from directly overhead," Dent said.

The adjustment demonstrated how coordination between the flight crew and jumpers shaped each pass. 

"Everyone needs to be on the same page to make everything happen," Gunia said. "If there are issues or confusion, we pause the checklist and do not proceed until it is cleared up."

Navy High-Speed Wi-Fi Reaches Milestone for Global Unaccompanied Housing

Oct. 2, 2026 | By Commander, Navy Installations Command Headquarters Public Affairs |

The Navy's initiative to provide free, high-speed Wi-Fi to all Navy-owned and -operated unaccompanied housing is 90% complete, with the service now available in 865 of 962 buildings since the rollout began in November 2025. 

The program, a partnership between Commander, Navy Installations Command and the Navy Exchange Service Command, continued its worldwide expansion with service going live across bases throughout the continental United States, Europe, Asia and the Pacific region. 

Driven by a dedicated focus on improving the quality of service, well-being and operational readiness of sailors, the effort ensures warfighters remain connected to family, support networks and educational resources while stationed abroad and in the United States.

"Reliable connectivity is an important part of sustaining the force and ensuring sailors have the support they need to remain ready and resilient," said Navy Vice Adm. Scott Gray, deputy chief of naval operations for sustainment. "This milestone demonstrates the Navy's continued investment in the infrastructure and services that enable our people to focus on the mission, wherever they serve." 

Navy Vice Adm. Brad Collins, Navy Installations Command commander, said the command will sustain the initiative's momentum through completion and continue pursuing improvements across the shore enterprise. 

"Across 71 installations, our responsibility is clear: deliver the safe, resilient and reliable shore infrastructure and services sailors need to succeed," he said. "Completing this Wi-Fi initiative remains a priority, and we will build on this progress to raise the standard of service, strengthen quality of life, and ensure our shore enterprise keeps pace with the needs of a ready naval force." 

The remaining 10% of unaccompanied housing facilities located in isolated regions, such as Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti and the Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia in the central Indian Ocean, are scheduled for completion in fiscal year 2027. 

The program continues to offer filtered free Wi-Fi and subsidized high-speed upgrades without long-term contracts or termination fees in full compliance with the Military Honor and Decency Act of 1996. 

Program managers report network operations continue to run smoothly, and sailors experiencing connection issues are encouraged to contact the service provider help desk for immediate support. For more information on the program and availability, sailors can visit www.navymwrsinglesailor.com.

Face of Defense: Soldier Fights Back From Cancer Diagnosis to Become a Drill Sergeant and CrossFit Athlete

Oct. 1, 2026 | By Army Sgt. Katherine Devereaux, Office of the Chief, Army Reserve |

Sgt. 1st Class Samantha Lamirand was mid-career and moving fast when a routine test came back with two words: cervical cancer.

Job: Drill Sergeant / Combat Engineer

Stationed: Round Rock Armed Forces Reserve Center, Texas

Unit: Company D, 1st Battalion, 355th Regiment

"I had these plans to do something big and grand with my life," she said. "It felt like everything just came to a screeching halt."

Today, Lamirand is a combat engineer, a drill sergeant and a competitive CrossFit athlete on the Army's Warrior Fitness Team. Five years ago, she was a Soldier navigating a health crisis at a difficult moment in her career.

Lamirand was in the middle of submitting a packet for a civil affairs assignment, one that required a full medical screening, when the results turned up something she never expected: human papillomavirus, or HPV, that had already progressed to cervical cancer.

"They told me one of my results came back different, positive or undecided, they weren't totally sure," she said. "So they had me get tested again, and when I got the call, they said, 'Hey, it turns out you have HPV.'"

Lamirand had no reservations about the lessons she learned from the experience and the impact it could have on others. "I'm not afraid to talk about it. People should know this stuff, because I didn't know it myself," she reflected. "The HPV vaccine wasn't even around yet when I was young, and it turned into cancer just like that."

Her doctors recommended a loop electrosurgical excision procedure, a minimally invasive procedure used to remove abnormal, precancerous cells from the cervix. The procedure worked and the cancer never returned, but it left her with lasting effects that required ongoing pelvic floor therapy, something she still lives with today.

After her surgery, Lamirand requested a medical stabilization to stay at her current unit for a year so she could finish treatment with the doctors who already knew her case. Her orders, however, had her scheduled to move across the country to serve in Georgia. Lamirand's request for stabilization was not approved and she left active duty, disillusioned and demoralized.

"To be honest, I was just really angry," she said. "I think I was doing a lot of things in spite of a lot of people, which is not healthy." That anger became fuel for a while, but it had a shelf life. "Anger can only drag you so far. It worked at the time, but it doesn't work for very long."

What actually got her through was therapy. "I started going to behavioral health, I started seeing a therapist," she said. "I really believe in therapy. I think it's a great resource, and it really helps keep you grounded."

That's also where she started learning to invest in her own career. "I think if it wasn't for that diagnosis and some doors closing, I wouldn't have learned how to advocate for myself. Now I really am kicking down doors. No one's going to care more about you and your career than you."

Lamirand had accepted that she was getting out of the Army entirely. Then, during her transition briefings, a U.S. Army Reserve recruiter made her an offer she didn't expect. They wanted her, wanted her immediately in her chosen military occupational specialty, or MOS, and were prepared to give her a bonus to make it happen. Lamirand accepted the offer and joined Company D, 1st Battalion, 355th Regiment, beginning a new chapter in the Army Reserve.

"I got into a really healthy dynamic with the Reserve, where I had more flexibility," she said. During her first drill weekend, her unit gave her a coin for maxing her physical training test. It was a small gesture that meant a lot. "I drove home tearing up," she said. "This might be it. This might be the change I need."

That flexibility gave her room to chase something else: a spot on the Army's Warrior Fitness Team. Lamirand got her start as a teenager training to be a competitive surfer, when her parents' CrossFit habit rubbed off on her. It wasn't until she joined the Army Reserve, with the flexibility to actually train, that she made the team.

When an injury sidelined the team's commander, Capt. Catherine Cunningham, before a competition, Lamirand got the call to fill in alongside teammates she'd never even trained with before, Capt. Marie Docken and Staff Sgt. Kooper Fordyce of the Accessions Mission Support Battalion's Outreach Company, and Sgt. Michael Hagerman of the Chicago South Side Recruiting Battalion. Together, they took third place.

"Everything I had gone through, all the things I thought were setbacks, it finally brought me to this moment where I was very proud," she said.

That finish wasn't a one-time thing. Lamirand and her team most recently competed in the Pro Team Division at the Fittest Experience in Taylor, Texas, taking home another third-place podium finish and two individual event wins, along with an invitation to compete at the Fittest Experience Invitational later this year.

This September, Lamirand will step onto a new kind of course as one of six Soldier subject matter experts selected for "Field Tested," an Amazon-produced competition broadcast nationally on Twitch. Civilian competitors will take on Army-inspired physical and mental challenges, and Lamirand will coach them through it, sharing her own story on camera. 

"I hope it makes people want to take on the challenge themselves, whether that's finding a gym, talking to a recruiter, or just stepping outside their comfort zone," she said. "I love challenging myself, and I hope this encourages other people to do the same."

Lamirand is currently finishing her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at Middle Tennessee State University. Her advice to any Soldier facing a health setback is simple. "You're going to get back what you put in," she said. Her answer to anyone facing a hard diagnosis of their own doesn't waver.

"No one cares more about you than you," she said. "Any decision is better than no decision. Make a decision, commit to it, and don't let anyone's opinion deter you from what you think you should be doing." She thinks about it the way she thinks about everything now: long view, no regrets. "If I were 80-plus years old, sitting on a porch in a rocking chair, could I say with confidence that I lived to the fullest of my abilities, how I wanted to, and not how other people wanted me to?"

For Samantha Lamirand, the answer, finally, is yes.

Statement by Chief Pentagon Spokesman, Sean Parnell, on the Department of War's Historic Increase to Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger Pay

Oct. 1, 2026 The Department of War releases updates to Hostile Fire Pay (HFP) and Imminent Danger Pay (IDP), marking the first major adjustment to these special duty pays in more than two decades. The increased rates are designed to appropriately compensate Service members for the varying levels of operational risk they face while serving the United States around the world. The updated policy increases the monthly rate for HFP to $450 and the monthly rate for IDP to $275, effective October 1, 2026. Since October 2002, both HFP and IDP pay have been set at a flat monthly rate of $225. The new tiered model better reflects the differences between serving in an area where danger is possible and facing hostile fire. Application of the new rates: HFP will be issued at the full monthly rate of $450 for any month in which a Service member is exposed to a hostile fire event. IDP will be prorated at $9.16 per day, up to a maximum of $275 per month, based on the number of days a Service member is present in a designated imminent danger area. If an IDP-designated area escalates into active combat, commanders can transition personnel from IDP to HFP immediately. This provides a clear and timely mechanism to acknowledge heightened risk levels. Consistent with Department policy, Service members may not receive both HFP and IDP for the same period of service. Service members and their families are encouraged to consult their command financial specialists or local finance offices for detailed information on how these changes will appear on the Leave and Earnings Statements (LES). Finance personnel will also be available to answer questions regarding individual entitlements and eligibility. The Department, under 37 U.S. Code § 351, is granted statutory authority to increase HFP to a maximum amount of $450 per month and IDP to a maximum amount of $275 per month, as authorized by Congress and outlined in federal law and the National Defense Authorization Act. The Secretary of War is authorized to establish any amount up to the statutory ceiling. The memorandum can be found here.

Secretary Hegseth Announces Six Major Initiatives at Quantico Speech

Sept. 30, 2026 |

Over the last two years under Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's leadership, the Department has been relentlessly reshaped to focus on lethality, the warfighters, and rapid modernization. Today, the Secretary continues that momentum by unveiling six major strategic initiatives that will govern the Department's direction for years to come. 

Speaking directly to active-duty E-6s and O-3s at Marine Corps Base Quantico, the Secretary bypassed traditional Pentagon bureaucracy to brief the tactical-level officers and non-commissioned officers who will execute these reforms at the ground level. The Secretary's framework establishes the Autonomous Warfare Command, creates a new Corps of Cadets, launches the "FORTRESS" (Federal Operations for Resilience, Troop Resources, Energy, Supply, and Survivability) readiness program, initiates the Next Great American Base project, stands up the Office of Religious Affairs, and kicks off Project Meridian, signaling a bold new era of warfighter-first leadership.

Autonomous Warfare Command
The establishment of the Autonomous Warfare Command represents the fastest peacetime operational shift in modern military history, designed to scale autonomous warfare across the Joint Force as a 4-star functional combatant command by October 1, 2027. Building on the success of the Department's Drone Dominance program, which has delivered thousands of robotic systems to the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, the Secretary is directing DRPM UxS to lead Project Agincourt.
 
To lead this historic transition, Secretary Hegseth appointed Owen West, the current Director of DIU, and Navy SEAL Senior Chief Max Strasiser, the first enlisted SEAL to graduate from Navy Test Pilot School, to direct DRPM UxS under a unique CEO-COO partnership.

Please find the memo creating the Autonomous Warfare Command here. 

America's Corps of Cadets
America's Corps of Cadets is a new War Department program established to expand the pipeline of patriotic leaders of character commissioning into the Joint Force. Building on the existing Corps of Cadets at the nation's six Senior Military Colleges, the initiative partners with a new set of premier institutions—Louisiana State University, Liberty University, Tuskegee University, Mississippi State University, and Hillsdale College—to create additional full-time Corps of Cadets programs. Each participating school is designated a "Distinguished Military College," a revived category that requires exceptionally high standards of cadet discipline, tactical instruction, and military organization. These institutions also receive "Honor School" status, which provides priority in officer commissioning. The program addresses the need for more officers grounded in the Constitution, Western civilization, American heritage, and the warrior ethos at a time when many traditional commissioning sources have drifted from those foundations. By embedding continuous military discipline and leadership development into these new partner schools, America's Corps of Cadets aims to grow the number of officers who are patriotic, rigorous, and prepared to lead and defend the Republic.

Please find the memo for America's Corps of Cadets here. 

FORTRESS America
FORTRESS America (Federal Operations for Resilience, Troop Resources, Energy, Supply, and Survivability) is the Department of War's national insurance policy for the American homeland. Launched at the direction of the Secretary of War, it ends decades of quiet dependence that left the world's most powerful military reliant on foreign mines for rare earths, overseas factories for microchips, foreign supply chains for weapons, and the civilian power grid to keep bases operational.

The initiative ensures that every major U.S. military installation generates its own independent power so bases remain lit, aircraft fly, and command centers stay online even if the civilian grid is taken down by cyberattack or sabotage. It brings critical supply chains home—rare earths, specialty metals, semiconductors, and propellants—mined, refined, and built in America by American workers. It builds deep strategic reserves of munitions, fuel, medicine, and blood sufficient to fight through disruption when global supply lines break. It hardens every installation on American soil against cyber intrusion, sabotage, and drones. And it secures the high ground and the airwaves—satellites, spectrum, and the ability to see, navigate, and communicate—so the force is never blinded or silenced.

Please find the memo for FORTRESS America here. 

Next Great American Base
The Next Great American Base project rejects the legacy playbook of decaying military facilities, launching a bold initiative to build a premier, world-class power projection platform from the ground up. This state-of-the-art installation will host elite troops across hundreds of thousands of acres. Engineered to operate completely off the commercial grid, it will feature independent power generation, autonomous systems, and advanced air defenses.
 
In line with the President's executive orders on Beautiful Civic Architecture, the base will feature timeless, classical designs, providing first-class facilities. Rather than backroom deals, the Department is launching a transparent, merit-based competition, inviting governors and adjutants general to pitch their plans directly to senior leadership. The state that cuts the most red tape and offers the best package of land and support will win the historic honor of hosting the most lethal, modern, and beautiful military installation on the planet.

Please find the memo for Next Great American Base here. 

Office of Religious Affairs
The Department of War is elevating spiritual readiness as a core element of combat effectiveness with the establishment of the Office of Religious Affairs, a direct-report office to the Secretary of War charged with driving Department-wide policy, resource advocacy, and action. Wars are fought by people, and the strength of the force depends not only on weapons, training, and technology, but also on the resilience, conviction, and moral strength of those who serve. ORA will ensure religious affairs are no longer dispersed across distant bureaucratic layers, giving senior leaders a dedicated capability to protect free exercise, remove policy barriers, identify unmet requirements, and secure the support needed for the Service chaplaincies to succeed. 

The Service chaplaincies will remain the Department's primary providers of religious support; ORA will give them a powerful advocate at the highest level of the Department. The office will not compel religious participation, favor one faith, or diminish the rights of personnel of any faith or lack thereof. Instead, it will help ensure every member of the Force has voluntary, meaningful access to religious support and community that fosters purpose and resilience needed to endure hardship, deployment, combat, and loss.

Please find the memo for Office of Religious Affairs here. 

Project Meridian
Secretary Hegseth has commissioned Project Meridian to secure America's long-term military superiority by identifying the capabilities required to achieve absolute technological dominance on the next-generation battlefield. Project Meridian will examine the full spectrum of future warfighting domains, from subterranean depths to the cislunar frontier. The Department of War's Chief Technology Officer, Emil Michael, is facilitating the Department's commissioning of Project Meridian, which will be co-directed by Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich, and supported by a team of elite academic, policy, and industry experts. To ensure timely execution, Secretary Hegseth has directed this landmark project to be completed within 120 days of its establishment, culminating in an unclassified, publicly released final report containing critical findings and recommendations, accompanied by a classified annex.

By leveraging the nation's premier private-sector innovators, business leaders, and technologists, Project Meridian will discover and accelerate the fielding of advanced systems needed to guarantee decisive deterrence. Should deterrence fail, our warfighters must enter any future conflict with the technological advantage secured through today's foresight, resolve, and preparation. American victory requires informing our Arsenal of Freedom with the lethal effects needed to sustain peace through strength. Project Meridian will present the proactive vision for shaping American dominance in the future of warfare.

Please find the memo for Project Meridian here. 

Readout of 17th U.S.-Qatar Military Consultative Commission and 21st U.S.-Bahrain Military Consultative Committee

Sept. 30, 2026 |

From September 20-25, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War (DASW) for Near East and Central Asia Michael P. DiMino IV traveled to Qatar and Bahrain to co-chair the 17th U.S.-Qatar Military Consultative Commission (MCC) and 21st U.S.-Bahrain Military Consultative Committee (MCC) alongside representatives of the Joint Staff, U.S. Central Command, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, and the Department of State.

In Doha, DASW DiMino led the 17th annual U.S.-Qatar MCC alongside Qatar Major General Ali Al Kuwari. The delegations exchanged views on regional security and identified priority efforts to further enhance Qatar's defensive capabilities and interoperability with U.S. forces. Qatar agreed to explore expansion of its maintenance and sustainment facilities for common platforms, including PATRIOT, and strengthen cooperation in defense-relevant critical minerals. DASW DiMino also met with Qatar's Minister of Defense, Sheikh Saoud Al Thani and Qatar's Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Jassim Al Mannai and visited U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base.

In Manama, DASW DiMino co-chaired the 21st U.S.-Bahrain MCC with Bahrain's Minister of Defense Affairs H.E. Lieutenant General Abdullah Al-Noaimi. The delegations assessed regional security challenges and discussed opportunities for Bahrain to continue integrating with U.S. forces and investing in its defensive counter-air capabilities, including the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS). Bahrain also committed to participate in Task Force Falcon Strike, CENTCOM's multi-domain, multi-national drone task force, enabling Bahraini forces to increasingly leverage these capabilities in support of regional deterrence.

Hegseth Delivers 'State of the Force' Address, Outlines Series of New Initiatives

Sept. 30, 2026 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered a speech on the status of the military today, during which he announced six new initiatives for the War Department. 

Speaking to both a broadcast audience and 600 O-3 officers and E-6 enlisted service members at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Hegseth began by recounting the successful progress he has seen across the department over the past year. 

"For almost two years, you've heard me talk — over and over — about three core priorities: reviving the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military and reestablishing deterrence. And I'm proud to stand on this stage and report that the warrior ethos has been revived, our military is being rebuilt and American deterrence is back," he said early in his remarks. 

The secretary went on to emphasize the high recruitment and retention numbers over the past year, mention that military standards that existed in 1990 are back in 2026 and discuss the "E-6/O-3 Rule" — the concept that asks whether a policy, procedure or decision helps or hinders the operational effectiveness and daily reality of an E-6 and/or O-3. 

"We fight to win. Clear missions, full hearts, hands untied. It's all I ever wanted as a platoon leader, and it's all my E-6 squad leaders ever wanted. … We let our leaders fight their formations, and then we have their back. It's simple, yet you know in your business it's incredibly powerful and liberating," Hegseth said. 

After recapping the past year and reemphasizing the War Department's priorities of strengthening the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military and maintaining peace through strength via deterrence, Hegseth outlined his six new initiatives: 

• The creation of a new 4-star level combatant command: Autonomous Warfare Command. 
• An effort to study the future of warfare titled "Project Meridian." 
• A future program that aims to align basing and infrastructure projects to ensure they are collectively advancing toward greater independence titled, federal operations for resilience, troop resources, energy, supply and survivability, or "Fortress America." 
• Calling for a new, state-of-the-art military installation through a project titled, "The Next Great American Base." 
• Expanding the ranks of future leaders commissioning into the joint force through a program that expands military training beyond the country's military service academies and six military colleges to additional institutions of higher learning, titled "America's Corps of Cadets." 
• Establishing an Office of Religious Affairs. 

Regarding the new combatant command, Autowarcom, Hegseth said that once established, it will focus on building autonomous and robotic capabilities across the joint force in "the fastest peacetime shift in modern history." 

Additionally, the secretary announced that he has directed the direct reporting portfolio manager for unmanned systems to lead "Project Agincourt," an organization that will establish the pathway for Autowarcom, as well as to execute the existing unmanned systems mission while prototyping a new acquisition model. 

Hegseth also said new military occupational specialties will be created in each military department to support the shift to autonomy. 

"Today, with … Autowarcom, we institutionalize — and we supercharge — the era of [super intelligence], robotics and autonomous systems, all in order to win," he said. 

Turning next to Project Meridian, Hegseth said the Pentagon's chief technology officer would partner with members of the private sector to study the future of warfare, and that the project is not about developing new strategies or policies. 

"Rather, its purpose is to creatively look into the future and identify the domains we must conquer, and capabilities we must master … to achieve technological and military dominance on the battlefield for decades to come; it is futuristic, on purpose," Hegseth said. 

Regarding the Fortress America program, Hegseth said it calls for every American military installation to eventually run under its own power, hardening every installation on American soil against intrusion and bringing critical supply chains home. 

"No matter the circumstance, this department will have the power, the equipment and the supplies you need to take the fight to the enemy. … The Department of War will be the insurance policy for the entire nation," he said. 

Hegseth's talk of Fortress America then segued into discussing the concept behind The Next Great American Base project, which he said will be a dynamic, self-sustaining power projection platform, and that leaders of every state in the union would be able to provide a "sales pitch" as to why the new installation should be in their state. 

"If your state wants the honor of hosting 15,000 to 25,000 of America's great troops, show us why and how you're going to do it — cutting through the red tape, offering up the land and rolling out the red carpet for our military families," Hegseth said. 

Regarding America's Corps of Cadets, the secretary said the Pentagon is partnering with six universities to increase the number of leaders who can commission into the military.  

"By embedding continuous military discipline and leadership development into new institutions — by growing our Corps of Cadets — the War Department will ensure our republic is defended by even more officers of unwavering character and patriotism," Hegseth said. 

Turning to his final of the six initiatives, that of the Office of Religious Affairs, Hegseth said religious services in the military have been neglected and bureaucratized for too long. 

"Ninety-five percent of our force recognizes an Almighty God. Accordingly, our department has a sacred duty: first-class religious support, wherever we send our warriors," Hegseth said. He also noted that the new office will report directly to the secretary of war's office to cut through red tape. 

"This is not going to be a paper-pushing shop; it's going to have real teeth. It'll protect budgets, demand infrastructure and strengthen religious support," Hegseth said. 

The secretary emphasized that the six announcements were all for the warfighters, as he and the War Department view them as the top 1% of society. 

"You are warriors; with that title comes great expectations. So, go forth this day and do good things, hard things. President [Donald J.] Trump has your back, and so do I," Hegseth said. 

"We are the War Department, and we never back down — Godspeed," he concluded. 

Today's State of the Force speech came exactly one year to the day since Hegseth announced a series of new directives aimed at strengthening the War Department's people and culture to the U.S. military's most senior leaders, also at Quantico.

75th Field Artillery Brigade, Singapore Complete Monthlong Exercise

Sept. 29, 2026 | By Army Capt. Lydia Laga, 75th Field Artillery Brigade |

Soldiers assigned to the 75th Field Artillery Brigade and the Singapore Armed Forces successfully concluded Exercise Daring Warrior 2026, finishing the bilateral training event with a decisive joint live-fire operation Sept. 22.

The monthlong exercise marked another year of deep tactical integration, highlighting the combined capabilities of both nations' artillery formations. Rather than serving as a mere showcase of the 75th Field Artillery Brigade's lethality, the training emphasized hands-on, joint execution, with Singaporean crews training shoulder to shoulder with the brigade as equals.

"Things are going really well," said Army Maj. Micah Thompson, the operations officer for the 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery Regiment. "Both sides are rehearsing techniques that we would employ operationally. We are exposing both U.S. and Singaporean soldiers to each other's techniques and deepening the relationship it takes to execute complex operations."

More than a routine training event, Daring Warrior is an annual exercise that allows Singaporean High Mobility Artillery Rocket System crews to train and certify at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, while working alongside U.S. Army field artillery formations. This year, the exercise served as a critical proving ground for the brigade's ability to coordinate complex combat operations alongside international forces, focusing heavily on building high-level tactical and technical interoperability.

The 75th Field Artillery Brigade integrated its specialized support units directly into the daily training matrix. On the observation posts, the brigade's fire support teams co-located with Singaporean strike observer mission teams to observe and adjust fires. Simultaneously, U.S. radar crews and meteorological teams provided real-time atmospheric updates. This practical coordination ensured that both forces could operate as a single, synchronized team using the brigade's extensive support network.

For the 3-13th, the exercise provided a highly focused opportunity for Bravo Battery to refine crew precision and master rocket artillery fundamentals in a demanding, realistic field environment.

"This exercise allows us to foster positive relationships with our partners," Thompson said. "Specifically, for this training, we get to practice interoperability both for fire-mission processing and to rehearse the logistical partnership needed to facilitate partner nation live-fire operations."

Following a series of professional exchanges, tactical discussions and bilateral rehearsals, the training culminated in the joint live-fire exercise. Multiple Launch Rocket Systems from Bravo Battery, 3-13th Field Artillery Regiment and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems from the Singapore Armed Forces fired in close coordination, utilizing the joint radar and meteorological data networks.

The successful exercise not only proved the readiness of the individual rocket crews but also reinforced III Armored Corps' enduring commitment to building lethal, combat-credible forces alongside global partners.

By training shoulder to shoulder as equals, both nations did not just share a training area; they also forged a unified, combat-ready front. This shared dedication to warfighting excellence ensures that whenever the call comes, the 75th Field Artillery Brigade remains ready to deliver decisive, devastating fires anywhere in the world.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Signs Directive Halting Tenured Civilian Positions at U.S. Military Service Academies

Sept. 29, 2026 |

The Department of War continues to reform our educational institutions to ensure they remain laser-focused on lethality and readiness.
 
To that end, the Secretary of War directed the Military Departments to immediately terminate the practice of appointing civilian faculty to tenured positions at the U.S. Military Service Academies. This directly addresses the critical issues of academic stagnation and complacency that are often associated with tenure, and which threaten to dilute the academies' primary focus on warfighting and tactical dominance.
 
In place of tenure, the Military Departments will implement new hiring plans to prioritize flexibility and faculty contribution to the warfighting mission, ensuring future officers are unequivocally prepared to lead our Service members and win on the modern battlefield.
 
Click here to read the memo.

U.S., Indian Forces Fly, Fight Together in Combined Air Assault

Sept. 28, 2026 | By Army Maj. Ian Roth, 11th Airborne Division |

U.S. and Indian Army forces executed a combined air assault during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026 near Auli, India, Sept. 25, seizing two objectives in a mission that integrated soldiers from both nations into the same formations. 

The operation began with battalion scouts moving forward to conduct reconnaissance of the area. The lead company then moved into assault positions, isolated the first objective and secured it. The second company isolated the other objective ahead of the air assault.

Soldiers were then transported by an Indian helicopter onto a landing zone near the second objective, before moving into position. Indian soldiers conducted their own air assault shortly after, descending from a helicopter to join the force and seize the objective. Both objectives were accomplished before the combined force transitioned into a hasty defense. 

Army Capt. Gaston Adam, 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, deputy operations officer, said the mission's success depended on close coordination between U.S. ground forces and Indian Army aviation. Both forces conducted an air mission coordination meeting the day before, followed by cold load training and aircraft familiarization that allowed soldiers to practice safely entering and exiting the helicopter.

"The integration between the ground force and the aviation task force, particularly the pilots, is integral to an operation like this," Adam said. "You have to be able to look that pilot in the eye and trust they're going to get you there safely. It builds confidence in the soldiers that they're actually going to reach their objective and can focus on their mission." 

The mission's task organization reflected the exercise's emphasis on interoperability between nations. The first company, led by a U.S. commander, included two U.S. platoons and one Indian platoon. The second company, also under U.S. command, was organized the same way. A separate Indian company, serving as a decoy element during the operation, included two Indian platoons and one U.S. platoon. 

"It just goes to show that even though we're mixing our formations together, we can still work together and execute a good plan," Adam said, adding that the exercise's systems and checklists, understood across both armies, were essential to the operation's success.

The mission marked the first of three repetitions planned during the exercise, with additional air assaults scheduled for the following two days under different task organizations.  

"It's been great working with the Indian Army," Adam said. "The planning has been great." 

Yudh Abhyas 2026 is the 22nd iteration of the annual U.S. Army Pacific-sponsored bilateral exercise between the U.S. and Indian armies, designed to enhance bilateral readiness, cooperation and interoperability.