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

Vol. 15 · No. 132 · Wednesday, 4 November 2026

Pentagon

Pentagon confident U.S. will be ready for 2027 war with China by 2035

Officials cite historically proven American strategy of entering wars completely unprepared

Hegseth wears Eisenhower's globe as Halloween costume

Spirit Halloween store to become pop-up ICE detention center

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Vol. 15 · No. 132

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Vol. 15 · No. 132 · Deployed worldwide

Wednesday

4 November 2026

2254 Zulu

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· Page 2

Sailor asks not what his country can do for him but what he can do half-assed for his country

Filed · 1541

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Saying he's ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work — just as soon as he's done at medical — local Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Ruck tells Duffel Blog that he's proud to choose a life of service and sacrifice, asking every day not what his country can do for him but what he can do half-assed for his country.

"Truthfully, I don't even consider this work. It's a privilege to serve my Navy and this country," Ruck said, before adding: "By the way, think there’s any chance we’ll swing a half-day Friday?”

Ruck, 25, serves aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu as an Operations Specialist. A native of Hartford, Conn., the regular John Henry says growing up the son of an upper-middle class pharmaceuticals representative taught him the indelible value of a honest day's work. These hard-knock lessons have apparently paid off in spades aboard the Peleliu, where, by his own account, Ruck has earned a reputation as a driven, task-oriented professional.

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