This week in American power projection: the map was wrong, the dorms were fine, and the travel card was for official purposes.
Story Roundup
Pentagon casualties, metric improvement, and Fat Leonard’s least dignified phase.
Situation Report
Free military brief. No CAC required.
Join thousands of troops, veterans, and defense insiders who read Duffel Blog before breakfast.
“A must-read for national security nerds.”
—The Daily Beast
Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Inside the paid Sunday Reader. The full edition is included with Supporter; free readers may receive a preview.
This week in American power projection: the map was wrong, the dorms were fine, and the travel card was for official purposes.
Story Roundup
Situation Report
QUANTICO, Va. — Marine veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter was recently informed that his award, the highest for valor in the armed services, will be rescinded because he failed to complete a mandatory annual training course while on active duty. A recent Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) review of his records shows that he did not complete the online "Driving in Icy Conditions" course in 2010 while he was deployed to the violent city of Marjah, Afghanistan.
Many Marines are calling for the award to be reinstated, but Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Ronald L. Green says there's no place for "tough guys" like Carpenter being honored in today's Corps, whose main mission is to fight things like social injustice and hurt feelings.
"Any motivator can block a grenade blast with his face and selflessly save a teammate's life under a hail of withering enemy gunfire," said Green, from his air-conditioned office in Virginia. "But it takes a true Marine to listen to that creepy guy in S-2 give a three-hour PowerPoint on STDs, and that's the message Marines need to hear."
A field desk of military mischief and useful bad ideas
One quick step
Click the confirmation link in the email from Duffel Blog to finish joining the free brief. Not there yet? Check spam and promotions.
Back to reading →Your signup is complete when you click the confirmation link.
Whenever you’re ready
Outgoing Company Commander: 'I hate you all'
Oct 5, 2022 · 3 min
Captain charged with manslaughter after leaving Lieutenant unattended in parked car
Oct 5, 2022 · 3 min
Sergeant major says no one is leaving Afghanistan until all the brass is picked up
Oct 5, 2022 · 2 min
Absolute psycho brought everything on the packing list
May 28, 2021 · 2 min
What To Do Next
Add more for free shipping.
✓ You qualify for free shipping!