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The Duffel Brief · the free edition, Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Vol. 15 · No. 114 · Wednesday, 23 September 2026

Army

Mitch McConnell returns from extended drill weekend

Staff says senator’s three-month absence was “routine National Guard obligation”

Trump considers replacing Hegseth with rock or something

Army adopts ‘Your body, my choice’ as new recruiting slogan

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Vol. 15 · No. 114

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Duffel Blog

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Vol. 15 · No. 114 · Deployed worldwide

Wednesday

23 September 2026

0419 Zulu

Next edition Friday

← Front page
· Page 2

'This is the most important training of your career,' says chief teaching pointless class

Filed · 1543

NORFOLK, VA — Junior sailors onboard the USS Wasp are listening intently as Damage Controlman Chief Jose Cortez stresses the importance of learning about something they will never hear about again, sources confirmed today.

“This is incredibly important,” Cortez says while holding up The Thing, a piece of equipment that isn't even worth describing in detail because, honestly, you're just there to sign your name to the attendance sheet. “Everything you do in the Navy will involve this in some way."

"Are you following me?" asks Cortez to a nodding class not paying any attention.

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