Summer is officially here (although in South Carolina it’s been hotter than Hades for several months already). And even though dehydration can occur in any weather, heat naturally brings with it some additional challenges to staying hydrated. So this month, we’re focusing on all things hydration related, from product reviews to survival tips. Speaking of […]
Jun 29 2018
Seventh Fleet and Casualties
The loss of a life is a terrible event regardless of how it happens. In the military, all members expect there to be losses in dangerous missions, but not all expeditions involve hostile environments. At times, there are operations that don’t involve combat or simply have minimal risks involved. However, the lack of hostilities doesn’t […]
Jun 17 2018
There Was Only One Catch – and That Was Catch-22
War never changes, an often-quoted fact that’s outstandingly proved by Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. I’m going to start this bluntly by saying if you’ve never sat down and read this book as a servicemember, you’re wrong. This book is the Office Space for uniformed service members; while there are plenty of books that capture the bravery, […]
Jun 13 2018
GI Bill Users: You’re a Student First
During my time in college, I’ve had some interesting conversations with veterans on campus. Most are friendly, but every once in a (thankfully) rare blue-moon, I come across a vet that has no respect for the professors, dismissing them as having no real experience since they weren’t in the military. It can sometimes feel like […]
Jun 9 2018
REVIEW: Tru-Spec 24-7 XPEDITION Pants
Bottom Line Up Front Nothing witty to say here. They’re great and I’ll probably wind up buying at least one more pair. Overview: Tru-Spec Xpedition Tactical Pants Uniformed military is generally spoiled when it comes to picking what to wear: we almost never had to go beyond jeans, slacks, or shorts when out of uniform. […]
May 28 2018
Remembering the Fallen
Although the practice of honoring fallen soldiers is an ancient one, our modern Memorial Day has its beginnings much more recently. Prior to the American Civil War, many cemeteries – especially in the rural South – were cleaned and decorated during late spring. This allowed extended families to gather and honor their ancestors while keeping […]
May 27 2018
Memorial Day: A Lesson in Military Remembrance
Memorial Day holds a special place in the heart of the American people. A federal holiday designated with the intent of remembering those men and women who died while serving their country, it stands as the polar opposite of Veteran’s Day. But, Memorial Day wasn’t originally known by its current name, and we’ve been placing […]
May 24 2018
The Treasured Challenge Coin
For many veterans, our challenge coins are some of the most valuable mementos from our military service. While service decorations are mostly relegated to a shadow box or uniform, a challenge coin collection is frequently and proudly displayed at the office or home. They’ve become an important part of military ceremonies today, but they’re a […]
May 24 2018
Ron White Releases Podcast to Tell Stories of Fallen Us Military
Ron White is a memory expert and veteran of the US Navy who was deployed to Afghanistan in 2007. Upon returning from Afghanistan, he set the record for the fastest to memorize a deck of shuffled cards in the USA and won back-to-back USA Memory Championships in 2009 and 2010. America’s Memory podcast: Stories of […]
May 17 2018
Reenlistment Ceremony
Reenlistment is one of the most long-time honored traditions in the military. Dating back to the Revolutionary War, it’s still held in high regards to our military history. But, just what is the history of military reenlistment? How did it start, and when exactly did it come about? Were people always able to reenlist or […]
