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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

1753 Zulu

Next edition Monday

← Front page
· Page 2

Meet the Skilcraft pen with 38 career kills

Filed · 1533

WASHINGTON – Deep in the bowels of the Pentagon, the most legendary killer in the Department of Defense doesn’t hold high rank, hasn’t been head-hunted by a contractor, and doesn’t even demand a parking spot. In fact, he lives in a desk drawer.

Meet “Rusty,” the black Skilcraft pen who’s responsible for killing 38 careers.

Many at Joint Staff J1 remember Rusty fondly from when he was fresh out of the box at Navy Human Resources command.

“There was something different about Rusty,” said Capt. Harold Black, who’s served with Rusty for over 20 years. “Whenever I needed to sign a crushing FITREP, I knew that Rusty could get the job done. I’ve gone back to Rusty for all my favorite UCMJ actions, and even a little note telling an admiral to resign before his corruption charges leaked to the press. Rusty’s a stone cold career killer.”

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