Civilians

Feb 7, 2023

6 common military signs that freak out civilians

The military is used to ignoring warning signs for things that aren’t actually all that dangerous. After all, once you know how a military range works, you realize that only a couple thousand square yards of the range is actually dangerous, and “O…

Feb 7, 2023

Jan 19, 2023

6 misconceptions civilians have about the Army

Whenever soldiers go on leave, it always plays out exactly the same: “O! You’re in the Army? My friend from work’s brother is in the Navy, so I know allllllll about it…” This is followed by a in-depth one-sided discussion abo…

Jan 19, 2023

Dec 21, 2021

6 Army jobs that civilians get all wrong

Civilians sometimes try to understand the military, but between media depictions, the stories of bygone eras, and common misconceptions, there are a lot of jobs within the service that the public just doesn’t understand at all. Her…

Dec 21, 2021

BYJessica Manfre

Dec 18, 2021

The 10 stupidest (yet true!) things civilians have said to the military community…in memes

People say dumb things all the time, it’s a fact of life. But there are certain gems that we’ve all…

BYJessica Manfre

Dec 18, 2021

BYRuddy Cano

Nov 29, 2021

This is how important camp followers were to an army before modern logistics

A camp follower is someone who follows an army willingly to several destinations while on campaign. This could be relatives…

BYRuddy Cano

Nov 29, 2021

BYJessica Evans

Oct 24, 2022

These 10 ways civilians can simulate military life are just wrong

From adopting military customs to incorporating jargon and acronyms into everyday language, there’s a certain sector of the civilian population that just loves to play “military.” They might say sixteen hundred hours to mean 4 p.m., or call flash…

BYJessica Evans

Oct 24, 2022

BYOrvelin Valle

Apr 16, 2021

Watch what these civilians do to help a vet in need

In this scene from the show What Would You Do? unsuspecting bystanders go above and beyond telling a vet-in-need “thank you for your service” in a big way. What Woul…

BYOrvelin Valle

Apr 16, 2021

Apr 5, 2021

This is how “RED Friday” became a thing and why it still matters today

It’s a tiny act that means much more than people seem to realize. On Fridays, civilians back home wear an article of red clothing — a shirt, a tie, anything — as a reminder to all to Remember Everyone Deployed. These …

Apr 5, 2021

BYBlake Stilwell

Mar 20, 2023

These 8 civilians received the Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is well-known as the U.S. military’s highest honor for acts of valor in the face of the enemy. It is bestowed for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.” It’s …

BYBlake Stilwell

Mar 20, 2023

BYSara Hammel

Jan 28, 2021

How a ragtag band of civilians got strong for service women

On the day I reported for duty as a volunteer in an extreme Army experiment of women’s strength, I stopped…

BYSara Hammel

Jan 28, 2021

BYDonald Baker

Jan 4, 2023

The basic civilian’s guide to NCOs vs Officers

Enlisted people always talk about their officers. Every officer is constantly scrutinized by their subordinates — from how they talk to how they present themselves to how well they lead. This is, generally, a good thing but, sometimes, it can go b…

BYDonald Baker

Jan 4, 2023

Apr 29, 2020

Are US troops overpaid?

A new study on the military’s pay and compensation system asks a surprising question: Are troops getting paid too much? Service members have typically earned about 70% of the salaries for civilians with similar skill sets, when factoring in t…

Apr 29, 2020

BYVAntage Point

Apr 29, 2020

Here are some tips to get you through holiday stress

There are many joyous things about the holiday season, but this time of year can also bring on stress, depression, and other challenges. For veterans or their family members, the unique experiences of the military and transitioning back to civilian …

BYVAntage Point

Apr 29, 2020

BYCoffee Or Die

Apr 29, 2020

10 courses open to civilians that actually teach you how to operate

Look, we get it. You have an unquenchable thirst — a yearning for the trumpets and cannon-fire, but the kids have soccer practice on Tuesdays and you have bowling league on Thursdays. What is a would-be operator to do? High-end training is s…

BYCoffee Or Die

Apr 29, 2020

Apr 29, 2020

Warrior shares why he stayed in the Army after injury

Taking care of others, and showing love and appreciation for others, is a core reason why retired Maj. Dennis “DJ” Skelton chose to stay in the Army. He continued to serve for 21 years, even after suffering grievous wounds during Operation Iraqi F…

Apr 29, 2020

Apr 29, 2020

New Army program certifies soldiers as firefighters

Soldiers leaving military service have a lot to prepare for as they transition from active duty to the civilian workforce. Thanks to the Soldier for Life-Transition Assistance Program, this transition can set soldiers up for success through the some…

Apr 29, 2020

BYBusiness Insider

Apr 29, 2020

US has a secret knife missile that kills terrorists, not civilians

The US has developed a secret missile to kill terrorists in precision strikes without harming civilians nearby, and it has already proven its worth in the field, The Wall Street Journal

BYBusiness Insider

Apr 29, 2020

BYMilitary Spouse

Apr 29, 2020

Finding civilian friends is harder than I thought

Making friends has never been a challenge for me. Among my siblings, they call me the “outgoing one who always ends up with a new friend.” So why should now — after transitioning back to civilian life — be any different? Well, it’s been…

BYMilitary Spouse

Apr 29, 2020

BYRecoilweb

Dec 19, 2022

These flashbang grenades are legal for civilians

IWA International is a company based out of Miami, FL that specializes in importing unique tactical gear from all around the world. We recently got a chance to play with a couple of their latest releases — civilian-legal flashbang grenades. …

BYRecoilweb

Dec 19, 2022

Apr 29, 2020

Army vet steps up during in-flight medical emergency

You never think a medical emergency is going to happen to you, but what if it does? And what if you are on a flight, two hours from your destination and over the Atlantic Ocean? Hopefully, when the flight attendants ask for medical personnel …

Apr 29, 2020

Apr 29, 2020

Should elected officials be allowed to serve in the military?

Jessica D. Blankshain is an assistant professor of National Security Affairs at the U.S. Naval War College. All views expressed are the author’s own and do not represent the views of the United States government, Department of Defense, Departme…

Apr 29, 2020

Apr 29, 2020

5 reasons why veterans tend to ruin the fun of haunted houses

It’s that wonderful time of year when veterans, their friends, and their families go out to enjoy a little spooky fun around town. They’ll have fun with the decorations, getting into goofy costumes, and, overall, just enjoying the spirit of the se…

Apr 29, 2020

Mar 4, 2020

Why Bangor, Maine is the most patriotic town in America

There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re trying to determine if any single place is the very best at something. However, when it comes to small towns supporting their troops, Bangor, Maine holds the distinction of very best. They are know…