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

Vol. 15 · No. 118 · Friday, 2 October 2026

Navy & Marines

Paste-eating Marine praised for unmatched commitment to unit

Unit leaders say his ability to stick with the mission is unmatched

Backed-up toilet appointed new Secretary of the Army

Space Force’s new uniform puts a little goose back in the step

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Vol. 15 · No. 118

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Vol. 15 · No. 118 · Deployed worldwide

Friday

2 October 2026

1404 Zulu

Next edition Monday

← Front page
Opinion · Page 2

Opinion: General Petraeus, Allen nothing but a bunch of goddamn amateurs

Filed · 1546

The following is an opinion piece written by Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair.

So, now it seems we have questions about a number of high-ranking defense officials and their conduct both on and off the job. The list reads like a resume for a Clinton-era appointee.

Shady travel vouchers got now-Lt. Gen. Kip Ward booted from AFRICOM and a missing star in the bargain. He'll probably end his career as some project manager, sequestered in a Pentagon sub-basement. Head of Joint LGBT affairs, probably. They say he overcharged $82,000 in travel expenses. Really, what kind of overcharging can you make in Africa? Maybe he got hotel upgrades to rooms with air conditioning. You ever been to Africa? It's hot as shit, man. I don't blame him.

Another travel brouhaha has erupted around Adm. Jim Stavridis. He's only been warned and no real action has been taken. I mean, really, a wine dinner in France? You're getting on him for charging that to Uncle Sugar? I can live with that. Rank has its privileges, Jack.

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