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

Vol. 15 · No. 130 · Sunday, 1 November 2026

Veterans

Spirit Halloween store to become pop-up ICE detention center

DHS praises seasonal retailer's expertise in occupying abandoned buildings and disappearing overnight

Army FRG unveils haunted house featuring spouses saying ‘I’m fine’

Hasan execution venue double-booked with Comic-Con

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Vol. 15 · No. 130

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Duffel Blog

Established 2012 · Deployed worldwide

Vol. 15 · No. 130 · Deployed worldwide

Sunday

1 November 2026

2019 Zulu

Next edition Monday

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· Page 2

Commanders dispensing awards to lieutenants like candy for Halloween

Filed · 1538

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Keeping with the spirit and time-honored tradition of unchecked cronyism, unit commanders will reportedly be handing out awards to adorable lieutenants going door-to-door this Halloween.

While officers are spoiled all-year-long by receiving awards for doing the same level of work as their enlisted counterparts, Halloween is a time especially fun for lieutenants: Sources say it's the best time for O-1's to dress up like competent leaders that soldiers respect.

"I am going as Sgt. David Hackworth!" says assistant to the assistant personnel officer and multiple DUI offender 1st Lt. Marcus Grigson. Grigson, also a perpetual under-performer and infamous for his beautifully coifed, out-of-regs hairstyle, is sporting a high-and-tight wig to take his costume to the next level. Sadly, this year is his last as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

"Because of my mandatory promotion to captain!" Grigson exclaimed.

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