Why Would You Enlist? Fort Carson Soldiers Share Journeys.
FORT JOHNSON, La. — In recent years as the Army has struggled to meet its recruiting goals, the average age of those enlisting has crept up. “We are seeing a more mature applicant pool,” said Maj. Gen. Johnny K. Davis, who leads the Army Recruiting Command during a panel in October. The average age of […]
For Soldiers at Fort Carson, Food Is Scarce
As Americans gather for Thanksgiving feasts, soldiers at Fort Carson, Colorado, are contending with a far less festive reality — months of insufficient meals, confusing schedules, and limited food options at the base’s dining facilities that have ignited widespread frustration among the rank and file. Dining facilities — critical for sustaining the health and readiness […]
Traumatized Soldiers Find Solace Grooming Horses in the Black Forest
FRANKFURT — In a remote corner of Germany’s Black Forest, the echoes of war linger in the minds of Bundeswehr soldiers, grappling with trauma years after their withdrawal from Afghanistan. Mike, a military captain and specialist in imaging reconnaissance, is among those affected. He provided crucial coordinates in mid-July 2013 that led a US Air […]
Active-Duty Soldiers Deployed for Hurricane Response Returning Home this Week
Active-duty troops deployed to help respond to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina will be returning back to their regular missions this week, the Pentagon said Thursday. Earlier this month, 1,000 troops — an Infantry Battalion Task Force formed from the XVIII Airborne Corps, 82nd Airborne Division and other units from […]
'What Is This?': Army Enlisted Leader's Long-Promised Blue Book Underwhelms Soldiers
A year ago, Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer, just two months into the role, promised soldiers a new app that would allow them to carry a rundown of service regulations and policies in their pockets. The so-called Army-wide “Blue Book” was a centerpiece of Weimer’s plans for his first year in the leadership […]
Army Says Soldiers Are Getting New Fitness Uniforms, But Details Are Scant
It’s a mistress the Army can’t keep itself from continually returning to: uniform changes. Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Weimer, the service’s top enlisted leader, on Tuesday announced new physical training uniforms will be issued to troops in roughly a year. But the announcement at the Association of the United States Army, or AUSA, […]
After Barely Meeting Recruiting Goal, Army Aims to Enlist Thousands More Soldiers in Coming Year
In a bold move underscoring its need to fill the ranks, the Army has announced a target of 61,000 active-duty enlistments for fiscal 2025, which started on Oct. 1. The ambitious goal comes on the heels of a year in which the service barely met its recruitment objective. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth unveiled the new […]
Army Says Soldiers Should Avoid Poppy Seeds in Updated Regulation over Drug-Testing Concerns
A new Army regulation is advising soldiers to avoid eating foods with poppy seeds over concerns that troops could inadvertently fail a drug screening. While poppy seeds are often an ingredient in baked goods and pastries, they also — depending on how they are harvested and processed — can contain opium alkaloids such as morphine […]
1,000 Active-Duty Soldiers Called Up to Assist with Hurricane Helene Response
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday mobilized 1,000 active-duty soldiers to assist in recovery and relief efforts in communities hit by Hurricane Helene — one of the most devastating storms in recent history. Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s top spokesman, said in a statement that the troops were requested by the Federal Emergency Management […]
Army Surpasses its Goal for Recruiting Active-Duty Soldiers, But Just Barely
The Army says it has hit recruiting goals for this year following a military wide slump, a sign the service may be overcoming the struggle to build up its ranks as it seeks a commanding presence in the Pacific to counter China. Service officials announced Thursday that the Army enlisted 55,300 new active-duty soldiers, marginally […]