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

Vol. 15 · No. 122 · Monday, 12 October 2026

Pentagon

Hegseth opens up new TradWife MOS

Army says new career field will allow warfighters to focus on lethality while someone else remembers the kids

DTS works properly after hack by rogue AI

Lincoln sailor returning from deployment already broke

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Vol. 15 · No. 122

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Duffel Blog

Established 2012 · Deployed worldwide

Vol. 15 · No. 122 · Deployed worldwide

Monday

12 October 2026

0859 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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