From flying high to kayaking on the water, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Christine Hill has found her calling twice. A decorated pilot and former weapons systems officer for B1 bombers, Hill left military service in 2003, but still had a heart for the lives of active-duty soldiers, veterans and first responders and water. Twenty years later, she was invited to join “Heroes on the Water,” an organization that aligned with her passions. It offers therapeutic programs coupled with the feel-good benefits of kayak fishing to help military personnel and first responders being treated for trauma and PTSD take a…
The first-person perspective in video games is often used to make a game more immersive. After all, it mimics the view you would have if you were in your avatar’s shoes, rather than moving them around with a controller. While it’s most commonly used for first-person shooters, this perspective has a lot more to offer. Take these next games. They’re undoubtedly first-person games, but they don’t feature any combat to worry about. Instead, they’re all about exploration. What they do with that exploration varies, but it’s typically used to tell a deeper, more affecting story than would be possible if…
WASHINGTON (AP) — Crews are again draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as President Donald Trump’s problem-plagued efforts to revamp the waterway pushes well past his initial goal of having it ready by July 4 to mark the nation’s 250th birthday. The president at first suggested his renovations would last a century. But, within weeks of the project originally reaching completion last month, the water was beset by an algae bloom and pieces of the new coating appeared to be peeling off the bottom. Trump has blamed the peeling on vandals, though critics allege it’s from shoddy repair work. Interior…
The U.S. Army is organized into three main rank groups: enlisted soldiers (E-1 to E-9), warrant officers (W-1 to W-5) and commissioned officers (O-1 to O-10). Each group reflects a different level of responsibility, expertise, leadership and pay. Enlisted soldiers make up 82% of the Army and get hands-on training, including for any career field that interests them. They perform most of the hands-on work, from combat roles to technical tasks, logistics, administration and more. As they advance into the noncommissioned officer (NCO) and senior NCO ranks, they become responsible for training, mentoring and managing lower-ranking soldiers. Warrant officers are…
The Selective Service System, otherwise known as the military draft or conscription, requires almost all male U.S. citizens and immigrants, ages 18 through 25, to register with the government. You may have seen the question “Have you registered for the selective service?” on applications for jobs, driver’s licenses, student aid and more. But could you actually get called up into the military? Here’s everything you need to know about the draft. Related: 6 Reasons You Probably Won’t Be Conscripted, Even if We Bring Back the Draft Military Draft 2026 Will there be a military draft in 2026? There’s no concrete…
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It’s hot out there! We can’t seem to do much about our overheating planet, so if you want to keep enjoying the outdoors in these infernal summer months, you’ll have to come prepared with ways to stay cool and hydrate. That’s the general theme of this week’s batch of gear, which mostly focuses on various ways to combat the sun for runners, cyclists, hikers, or just the people at risk of heat exhaustion while walking their dog for 10 minutes (looking at you, Arizona). Find apparel and gear to stay cool — and look cool — in the latest and…
There’s a surprising amount of policework that is really just not being dumb. My late father, for example, got an “attaboy” from the chief because of his diligent work solving a theft. What happened was that he simply followed the stolen lawnmower’s tracks in the dirt alley that led right to the thief. A lot of it is much, much more complicated than that, admittedly, but sometimes, it’s just not. That’s especially true when the criminals make it easy on the police. See, most crooks don’t think they’ll get caught. They’re convinced they’re too smart or…
There’s a lot of noise right now about Venezuela, threats, posturing, and who’s actually capable of what. So instead of taking … Watch full video on YouTube
Watch full video on YouTube
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWe move through dozens of different environments every single day. Home → car → gas station → work → school → store → restaurant → home again. Each time we step into a new place or mix with new people, our risk profile quietly shifts. Most folks never notice. I do. You should notice too. All it takes is thirty seconds to update my head—my mindset and situational awareness—and I’m set to go. That habit keeps me calm and keeps me prepared. I always have a plan to get through the few seconds to…
If you live in a small space, storing preparedness essentials can be tough. One of the biggest challenges is storing water, which is also one of the most important items you need on hand. You need to have extra water for everyone in the family in case of power outages, boil water notices, broken water mains, hurricanes, or winter storms that freeze the pipes. The good news is, you can store a good amount of water in a condo with a bit of creativity. I’ve lived in various small spaces over the years and have been able to store water…
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadWhen the mercury drops, keeping your body warm and functional isn’t just about comfort—it’s a necessary form of preparedness that everyone needs to address. Overexposure to cold goes beyond shivering; it can become dangerous if you aren’t equipped with the right knowledge and resources. The reality is that for the underprepared, cold injuries can occur quickly. Preventing and dealing with these injuries requires pairing layered clothing systems with actionable, effective know-how. This article provides simple, step-by-step actions to prevent cold injuries and handle first aid if things go sideways. Whether you’re prepping for daily…
Most disasters, attacks, and violent incidents rarely happen “out of the blue.” Usually, there are warning signs that something feels “off.” These signs may be small and easily dismissed, but you need to learn how to pick up on those clues before it’s too late. Here’s how to train yourself to recognize danger signs no matter where you are. TL;DR: Recognizing risks through situational awareness means noticing surroundings, spotting red flags in behavior or environment, and trusting your gut to act early, helping you stay safe in daily settings like malls or airports. [TOC] Quick Look at What You’ll Learn…
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadThe Fourth of July is the most American thing we do. This year, with the 250th anniversary of 1776, so, even more so. Cookouts. Fireworks. Flag clothes. It’s a good day that is a uniquely American day. It’s an American day when millions of keyed-up people, dressed in red, white and blue, spend the day drinking, gathered together in sweltering heat, cooking over open flames and playing with explosives. And then drive home. I’m not telling you that to scare you off your hot dogs. I’m telling you because that is the 4th of…
I feel bad for anyone depending on The Nation’s Elie Mystal to inform them about legal decisions. I realize that he’s got his own opinion on things, but you can’t be much of a legal analyst if you’re as willing to ignore cold, hard facts. That’s exactly what Mystal has done in his steaming hot take on the Wolford decision, which manages to misinform readers about the Court’s Bruen test and why Hawaii’s historical analogies failed to pass muster while also ignoring the state’s attempt to use a racist gun law to justify its modern restriction on…
BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO’s top commander told The Associated Press on Friday that European allies have filled most of the holes created by a U.S. decision to cut back military contributions in times of crisis. U.S. Gen. Alex Grynkewich urged Europeans to make more equipment available after the U.S. signaled on June 3 that it would no longer supply an aircraft carrier and support ships, aerial refueling planes and dozens of fighter jets, among other assets, to the continent. He also began weighing back up plans in case of an attack against Europe. The so-called NATO Force Model is the…
This article was originally published by Willow Tohi at Natural News. Iran’s use of cluster munition warheads successfully penetrated Israel’s multi-layered air defense systems, striking targets in West Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, and Haifa. Israel’s War Ministry announced Iron Dome upgrades in June 2026 following “operational lessons learned” during the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Iranian hypersonic missiles with decoy capabilities overwhelmed Israeli defenses using swarm and saturation tactics. Israel faces critical shortages of ballistic missile interceptors, with U.S. officials anticipating depletion as Iran exploits vulnerabilities. The Iron Beam laser system, delivered in December 2025, remains not yet operational, with at least…
The American Revolution is often remembered as a clean story of liberty, courage and founding ideals. Former U.S. Navy officer Ray Deptula sees something rougher, more violent and more useful for Americans today. Deptula, author of Can’t Find My Way Home, the second book in his two-book Those Damned Yankees series, said the Revolution was not simply a patriotic uprising told through famous names and polished speeches. It was also a brutal war fought in towns, farms and backcountry communities where political division could turn deadly. “The history does not ever focus on how horrible it was, how messy it…
One of the new proposals regarding gun buying and selling is that it’ll be possible for me to buy a gun from my wife’s uncle, who has a gun store that’s a bit of a drive away, without having to make that drive. We’re both in the same state, after all, and so no shipping of a gun across state lines will take place, but it can come to me just the same. It’s pretty rad, if you ask me, and while I’d also like to buy guns from friends in other states and have…
