Many former military members will use old fitness test standards as a model to maintain after service. After having coached many “average Joes,” I have a few exercises and events I like to help people build up to and maintain. Many of these standards come from similar military exercises and events that this gentleman asked about this week: Do you have something akin to PST standards for average Joes? Like how many pushups should someone in their 40s be able to do, how far/fast should they run a mile, etc? Thanks! Joe Joe, great question. However, I will say that…
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump observed Friday’s 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks at a ceremony at the Pentagon by commemorating the lives lost when al-Qaida militants hijacked planes and killed nearly 3,000 people in three locations and upended American foreign policy and national security. Trump and first lady Melania Trump listened as the names of the 184 people killed at the Pentagon that day were read aloud, a bell tolling between each. In his remarks, Trump recounted the stories of several of the victims and insisted that the moment has led to a fortification of American resolve.…
The hype and hysteria around so-called ghost guns got old long ago. The anti-gunners keep screaming about them as a problem and how the government should Do Something (TM). They’re not, and the numbers support it. Still, the hysteria continues. Defense Distributed’s victory in the case formerly known as VanDerStock is an important win.But over at The Volokh Conspiracy, noted Second Amendment attorney Stephen Halbrook makes the case that the ruling has ramifications well beyond so-called ghost guns.Defense Distributed could have a broader impact, particularly if affirmed and further exposited by the Fifth Circuit, by…
How would you respond if you heard someone say, “I’m a 90A, and I just finished up as the S1 for the 728th. I ran the battalion PAC and was responsible for OERs, NCOERs, awards and all MILPO actions”? The military jargon used to communicate systems, positions, geography and terminology is plentiful. Within the military, it’s a shorthand that makes communication more efficient, although to civilian listeners, it can be confusing to say the least. The U.S. military uses many unique items and concepts that civilians aren’t exposed to. Because of this and the need for expedient, clear communication, service…
A federal judge in Delaware has ruled the state’s ban on possessing unserialized firearms and the private manufacturing of guns violates the Second Amendment, while keeping in place the state’s laws that forbid the dissemination of computer-aided design files or other code or instructions used in 3D printing gun parts. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika also upheld the state’s prohibition on “knowingly transport[ing], ship[ping], transfer[ring], or sell[ing] an unfinished firearm frame or receiver,” ruling that the “Distribution ban” as she called it does not impose any burden on keeping or bearing unserialized firearms. For the most…
As Michael Jordan says, “If you can’t stop thinking about it, don’t stop working for it.” Throughout life, we have choices and opportunities that come and go. Getting sidetracked on a dream from your youth is easy when other options cross your path. But you will be surprised; it may not be too late to regroup and get back on track with a never-forgotten goal from the past. Here is an email from a reader who is looking to serve in the military as he ages into his 30s: I was a good athlete in high school and wanted to…
Three days after the Sept. 11 attacks, Mark Olsen walked past cars piled on top of one another near the World Trade Center. Some were taxis. One of the most haunting images he recalls? Headlights still burning bright through the fog of rubble. The New Jersey Air National Guard technical sergeant had crossed the Hudson River on a state police boat that morning, carrying rolls of film and deciding for himself what to photograph. He wanted to reach Ground Zero, but he kept finding things along the way that needed to be recorded. Damaged taxis and other vehicles are piled…
A new survey of thousands of veterans finds overwhelming opposition to a controversial section of the comprehensive Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA) that is currently stalled in Congress. Disabled American Veterans, or DAV, published a new survey on Thursday of more than 4,200 veterans, their family members, caregivers and survivors showing that while 93% indicate they want veterans’ earned benefits protected, another 71% vehemently oppose the omnibus TCAVA unless a provision known as Section 108 is rescinded. “The general finding was people were opposed to TCAVA once they learned more about it,” Jim Marszalek, executive director of DAV’s…
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Watch full video on YouTube
“Reacher” has never pretended to be a documentary about life in the Army. Jack Reacher, played by Alan Ritchson, is a former Army major who wanders the country with almost no possessions, routinely outsmarts law enforcement and has an uncanny ability to find himself surrounded by people who need to be punched. Season 3 didn’t have a lot to do with his military background. Season 2, however, was full of little plot details that enriched the story. Based on the 2007 novel written by Lee Child, “Bad Luck and Trouble”, the season reignited Reacher with the rest of his old…
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Watch full video on YouTube
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, an off-duty firefighter with Brooklyn’s Squad 1 had just finished an overnight shift. He was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he heard that a plane had struck the World Trade Center. Stephen Siller turned his truck around, returned to the firehouse to retrieve his gear, and drove to the entrance of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. The tunnel had been closed to all traffic for security purposes. So he strapped on roughly 60 pounds of gear and ran the rest of the way on foot. He ran through the tunnel…
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Watch full video on YouTube
Watch full video on YouTube
Navigating military homebuyer benefits can feel overwhelming with complex eligibility rules and changing requirements. A VA home loan offers powerful advantages like zero-down financing, lower interest rates, and no monthly private mortgage insurance, making it one of the most valuable resources for eligible service members, veterans, and surviving spouses. However, knowing whether you qualify, how entitlement works, and what properties are eligible can quickly raise crucial questions. This comprehensive FAQ guide breaks down everything you need to know, including service guidelines, divorce impact, and using your benefits multiple times, so you can confidently secure your dream home. Key Takeaways VA…
Although there are dozens of active Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers in the U.S. Navy’s fleet, there’s something special about the USS Kidd. It doesn’t have any secret technology or weapons (that we know of), and its capabilities are the same as any other of its class. The standout feature that tends to capture the attention of even the most landlubberly civilian is the massive Jolly Roger that the Kidd is often seen flying from its mast. The USS Kidd’s pirate flag, the infamous skull and crossbones that hearkens back to the Golden Age of Piracy that spanned the 17th…
The Bondi Beach terrorist attack was just that, a terrorist attack. Had guns been denied these monsters, they’d have used something else. Yet because guns were denied to everyone else, the attackers had free rein to carry out their atrocity. These are simple facts. So what was the Australian government’s response?More gun control. More than that, though, they want to limit how many guns people can have, even if they’re willing to jump through all of the hoops.It seems Tasmania has better things to do.There will not be a cap on the number of guns a…
If you are seeking a job in the military or law enforcement professions, you likely will see an entrance exam that requires you to score well in sit- ups, curl- ups or crunches. All are abdominal exercises with different hand placements that test core strength and endurance and can be a challenging exercise to improve if you are not getting your repetitions in each week. Here is an email from someone who has improved in push-ups and pull-ups but needs help with the last PT element of the Air Force physical ability and stamina test (PAST) for pararescue jumpers (PJ)…
