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.
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
HONOLULU – National Park Service Director Dan Smith, an army veteran of the Vietnam War, announced on Friday that he would close the USS Arizona Memorial until all the war memorials “woke their asses up and got some goddamn visitors.”
The USS Arizona memorial, which preserves and interprets the site of eight battleships lost in the Pearl Harbor Attack of 1941, is one of the National Park Service’s most popular military history attractions. Although the site routinely brings in 4,000 to 5,000 visitors per day, Smith quoted the wisdom of many drill sergeants when he told the park that it was only as good as its weakest war memorial.
"You think you're going to engage Americans in thoughtful reflection about the past? Help visitors make sense of the present by remembering the past? Not with that bullshit attitude about only teaching the visitors that show up. Until parks like Tupelo National Battlefield can meet the standard, everyone is going to feel the pain," said Smith, before kicking the last of the Park Rangers out of the USS Arizona Memorial into the driving rain.
A field desk of military mischief and useful bad ideas
You’re in
Your first brief lands soon. Supporter access opens the archive, Sunday Reader, comments, and Duffel Labs today.
Supporter access
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!