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

Vol. 15 · No. 130 · Saturday, 31 October 2026

Veterans

Spirit Halloween store to become pop-up ICE detention center

DHS praises seasonal retailer's expertise in occupying abandoned buildings and disappearing overnight

Army FRG unveils haunted house featuring spouses saying ‘I’m fine’

Hasan execution venue double-booked with Comic-Con

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Vol. 15 · No. 130

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Vol. 15 · No. 130 · Deployed worldwide

Saturday

31 October 2026

2236 Zulu

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· Page 2

Soldier renames post obstacle course 'the Spartan dash', makes a fortune

Filed · 1544

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA — A soldier in the 2nd Stryker Brigade is being investigated for misuse of government property after it was discovered that he had used his additional duty position of obstacle course NCOIC for personal gain.

Staff Sergeant Paul Harris, 28, has been charged after it was discovered that he renamed the series of wood and wire obstacles to 'The Spartan Dash' and subsequently hosted 'Warrior Races' for civilians on the installation.

Harris' plan was uncovered after his platoon sergeant noticed the young E-6 had purchased a 2013 Corvette, in cash, despite having no source of income outside the Army. Harris was then seen spending thousands of dollars at local bars and strip clubs in both the Tacoma and Seattle areas. Although suspicious, his leadership was unable to find the source of his cash until Lt. Michael Stevens, the Brigade Staff duty officer, responded to a report of a large crowd on post just inside the east gate on a Sunday afternoon.

When he investigated further, the lieutenant was stunned to see hundreds of civilians covered in mud, milling around the parking lot next to the O-course, hanging all over each other and taking Instagram photos.

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