Today in military history: First female officer in the US Army
On July 9, 1947, Florence Blanchfield became the first female officer in the United States Army. After 30 years of service in the Army Nurse Corps, where she held the…
An Army officer was why Teddy Roosevelt had to quit boxing
America’s 26th President was well-known for his love of fisticuffs. He could be considered one of the world’s first mixed martial artists, considering his love for jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and, of course, boxing. He would have to give up boxing after…
8 things a boot lieutenant should never say
We love our military officers. Let’s put that out there right now before the light, verbal hazing commences.
Once an officer is fresh out of training, we call them a ‘boot,’ which is military for being a brand new guy or gal in the ser…
The Confederates may have lost the Civil War due to one inept officer
The beginning of the end for the Confederate States of America didn’t come at the capture of Richmond or even the fields of Gettysburg. It came from the west, where…
6 lessons I learned moving nuclear weapons through North Dakota
I was both excited and anxious the day I got my orders to Minot Air Force Base. I requested to be sent to a nuclear missile base because of the challenges and opportunities the mission presented. Every day, Airmen at Minot and its sister nuclear mis…
This Corpsman saved a Marine suffering from a sniper head shot
On Oct. 18, 2006, Justin Constantine was deployed to Al-Anbar Province, Iraq when a sniper shot him in the head.
He had just stepped out of his Humvee to warn a rep…
Exclusive interview: Army nurse on how COVID has affected the MOS
Martine Caraballo comes from five generations of military service. Her father is a Purple Heart Vietnam veteran. She was raised on Treasure Island, Florida and served four years in the…
Former Air Force officer Carl Roberts’ courtroom tale packs drama
“The Trial of Connor Padget” is a courtroom tale by Carl Roberts, former Air Force Officer and trial attorney. It begins at breakneck pace when the title character shoots a…
From green to gold
The longevity of a service member’s career is a complicated equation. Perhaps even more so for the enlisted track, which boasts more active-duty soldiers than the Officer Corps. Joining the leadership ranks without foregoing pay or benefits is the …
Why this Army officer runs with a binder full of names
Surrounded by thousands of racers, Lt. Col. Frederick Moss stood out at the Army Ten Miler.
“I always get the question, ‘Why is this dummy running with this binder? He must be some staff guy that is all about his work.’ You know?” Moss jok…