Author: Braxton Taylor

Jim Sharp, in his 101 years, has seen a lot. And he hasn’t been known to turn down an experience or shrink in the face of danger. So, when the World War II veteran, Battle of the Bulge soldier and guard at the Nuremberg Trials, had an opportunity to fly in a classic biplane to celebrate his birthday, open-cockpit style, he didn’t flinch. “Let’s do it!” Sharp said. Alan Zeitvogel, Commander of American Legion’s District 11, is a friend of Sharp and helped organize the memorable flight. He worked with Dream Flights, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans residing in assisted living homes and…

There is a long list of programs the VA administers to recognize the sacrifices of those who served. Some of them are familiar, like GI Bill education benefits or VA-backed home loans. Others are less well known but have a life-changing impact on the people who qualify. The automobile allowance is one of those. It is a program offering money to severely disabled veterans, enabling them to purchase a car adapted to their needs. It does not make anyone rich, but it can mean the difference between dependence and mobility for veterans who have lost the ability to drive on…

For veterans, finding peace and purpose after service can be a challenge. Heroes on the Water (HOW) is changing that—one kayak at a time. This nonprofit combines kayak fishing with therapeutic programs to help veterans, first responders, and their families heal physically, mentally, and emotionally.The Mission: How It All BeganHeroes on the Water was founded in 2007 by Jim Dolan and a small group of kayak fishing enthusiasts who were also veterans. They didn’t have a master plan—just a passion for their hobby and a desire to give back.Initially, Dolan considered working with kids and schools. But after reaching out…

While your military training and education are valuable, it may not always work in your favor as transfer credit in higher education. This is primarily because military transfer credit is often evaluated as electives, which then could negatively impact your academic progress status and financial aid eligibility by limiting the applicability of credits. As shared previously, the Joint Services Transcript tool translates military service training and education for the civilian sector and serves as a record of the total school records. It is mainly applicable to Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard active-duty and veteran enlisted, officer, and warrant officer ranks.…

When 50-year-old Paul Douglas showed up at Marine Corps boot camp in 1942, the white-haired economics professor looked more like a seasoned general than a private. Instead, he was just another recruit, running the same obstacle courses and getting the same punishment as the younger troops.What set Douglas apart wasn’t age or rank, but the fact that he had already been a Chicago alderman, a failed candidate for mayor, and an adviser for the president. By the end of World War II, he would also be a combat-decorated Marine.Early Life and Political CareerDouglas was born in Salem, Massachusetts, on March 26,…

When hundreds of flag officers were ordered to Marine Corps Base Quantico for Secretary Pete Hegseth’s address, it immediately raised questions. In today’s military, secure video briefings and encrypted directives are routine. Gathering so many generals and admirals in person – at considerable cost and risk – looked less like an operational necessity and more like a show of force. Critics were quick to call it what it was: a meeting that could have been an email. Cost And Risk The cost of staging such a gathering is not trivial. Flying in hundreds of generals, admirals, and their support teams, lodging them, feeding…

The government shutdown is causing different strains on military service members and their families, in the form of temporarily suspended afterschool programs, to limited radio and television access to American Forces Network (AFN) broadcasting.Most overseas bases have school systems for military families, all of which fall under the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). Similar to schools in the United States, DoDEA schools have a range of afterschool activities including sports and extracurricular clubs like student government, yearbook, and cultural or honor societies.“DoDEA is deeply committed to ensuring students have access to a meaningful and well-rounded educational experience,” Jessica Tackaberry,…

On Oct. 3, 1993—32 years ago—what began as a short raid by Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu became an all-night fight for survival after two Black Hawks were shot down. As U.S. soldiers dug in around the crash sites, the rescue that finally broke through was a combined UN column built around Malaysian armored vehicles and Pakistani tanks, with two companies from the Army’s 10th Mountain Division riding shotgun.Although the raid managed to disrupt a meeting near the Olympic Hotel between many of warlord Mohammed Farrah Aidid’s commanders, things went horribly wrong soon after. The mission quickly descended into chaos after…

As of 1 October 2025, the lapse in appropriations (AKA the “government shutdown”) is already having impacts on Marines and their families. For many long-serving Marines, this is not a new phenomenon. It has been managed before, and it will be managed this time as well. But in the meantime, there are certain frustrations that need to be mitigated. A federal government shutdown triggers an “orderly curtailment of certain Marine Corps operations and services.” Sticking to the facts and relying heavily on MARADMIN 468/25 for guidance, here is what it means:PayActive-duty Marines and Active Reserve personnel continue to report for duty…

The government shutdown is likely to continue into next week after the Senate for a fourth time rejected a bill to keep agencies funded through Nov. 21, keeping hundreds of thousands of employees at home and others at risk of losing their jobs altogether. All but three Democrats rejected a continuing resolution to reopen agencies, denying the legislation the 60 votes required for its passage. Neither chamber is expected to hold votes over the weekend, meaning Monday is the earliest lawmakers could vote to end the shutdown. The two sides remain divided, however, and no clear path toward resolving the impasse…