Did the Army actually listen to soldiers' complaints about mandatory training?
Happy Friday! One of the biggest stories this week has been about how the Army announced it was slashing the number of training courses that soldiers are required to take each year from 27 to 16. This is a continuation of mandatory training cuts. In May, the Army cut 346 hours of Professional Military Education, or PME. As any E-4 or below will tell you, PME can be a gigantic time suck, and if they can get away with sleeping through it, they will.
Now, commanders can decide whether their soldiers need to meet these training requirements.
Cutting down the amount of online training that soldiers must take will allow them to focus on building 'warrior ethos' through 'tough, realistic training,' Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Mullinax said on Tuesday.
While some on social media have questioned why certain courses will no longer be mandatory, such as Combat Lifesaver training and law of war training for operational units, this is not the first, or even second attempt to lessen the amount of training that service members are required to take.
In 2017, then-Defense Secretary James Mattis ordered a review 'to improve warfighting readiness' that included looking at 'requirements for mandatory force training that does not directly support core tasks.' The following year, the Army announced it would let commanders reduce or eliminate training not directly related to combat.
It's worth noting that service members have long complained about being overburdened by cumbersome, confusing, and mind-numbingly dull computer-based training. In February, Austin von Letkemann, who runs the MandatoryFunDay social media accounts, jokingly begged Elon Musk to not let the Department of Government Efficiency cut any of the online training troops must take because it's 'totally not a waste of time and teaches us great skills that we use every day.'
Musk responded on X, writing, 'How much time is spent doing pointless 'online training'? Sounds pretty bad. Even I have to do some of this stuff.'
With that, here's your weekly rundown:
DOD IG looks into 'Signalgate.' The Defense Department Inspector General's Office announced on Thursday that it was looking into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's use of the Signal messaging app following news reports that Hegseth shared operational details of imminent strikes in Yemen with a chat group that included a reporter. Hegseth and other Trump administration officials have said that no classified information was shared in the chat. The inquiry, which comes at the request of the chair and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, will look into whether Hegseth and other defense officials followed Defense Department procedures for using a commercial messaging app to conduct official business.
Soldiers who died in Lithuania identified. All four soldiers who died when their M88A2 Hercules armored recovery vehicle sank in a Lithuanian bog on March 25 have been identified. They were all assigned to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Georgia. 'To the families, please know you are not alone in your grief, as they were immensely loved by this division; we stand with you united in honoring their memory,' Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, head of the 3rd Infantry Division, said in a statement.
Ukraine expects a new Russian offensive. Russia could be preparing to launch a major offensive in eastern Ukraine that could last between six to nine months. The expected offensive would come on the heels of Ukraine's recent withdrawal from Russia's Kursk region after seven months. Hegseth does not plan to attend an upcoming meeting of 57 countries to coordinate military assistance to Ukraine, marking the first time since the group was established that an American defense secretary will not be there.
Defense Department hiring freeze exemptions. The Pentagon announced that it will exempt 'mission-critical positions' from its hiring freeze to allow the Defense Department to keep hiring civilian employees for shipyards, arsenals, medical treatment facilities, and other positions 'that contribute to our warfighting readiness.' The Pentagon is trying to cut up to 8% off its civilian workforce, likely including thousands of veterans.
Remembering 'Iceman.' Actor Val Kilmer, who played 'Iceman' in both 'Top Gun' and 'Top Gun: Maverick,' died on Tuesday at the age of 65. One of his most famous roles was one the bank robbers in the 1995 movie 'Heat,' which featured a climactic shootout that Marines at the School of Infantry were shown during the Global War on Terrorism era to illustrate the concept of bounding overwatch.
Have you seen Pam, the missing python? And now, for something completely different: A soldier's three-foot pet python has gone missing in the Keltenwall Housing Area at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria-Hohenfels, Germany, said Kayla Overton, a spokeswoman for U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria. The python's name is Pam, and the soldier did not have written approval to own the snake, Overton said. The U.S. Army W.T.F! moments Facebook page first posted on March 27 that Pam was missing. 'Pam has not been found,' Overton told Task & Purpose on Thursday. 'The soldier's unit is assisting with the search in the local housing area.'
Good luck to the soldiers looking for Pam! See you all next week.
Jeff Schogol
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
26 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Trump says he's open to ‘regime change' in Iran, even as his aides insist otherwise
WASHINGTON — President Trump on Sunday called into question the future of Iran's ruling theocracy after a surprise attack on three of the country's nuclear sites, seemingly contradicting his administration's calls to resume negotiations and avoid an escalation in fighting. 'It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' Trump posted on social media. 'MIGA!!!' The post on his social media platform marked a stark reversal from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Sunday morning news conference that detailed the aerial bombing of Iran early Sunday. 'This mission was not and has not been about regime change,' Hegseth said. The administration has made clear it wants Iran to stop any development of nuclear weapons, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Fox News' 'Sunday Morning Futures' that any retaliation against the U.S. or a rush toward building a nuclear weapon would 'put the regime at risk.' But beyond that, the world is awash in uncertainty at a fragile moment that could decide whether parts of the globe tip into war or find a way to salvage a relative peace. Trump's message to Iran's leadership comes as the U.S. has warned Iran against retaliating for the bombardment targeting the heart of a nuclear program that it spent decades developing. The Trump administration has made a series of intimidating statements even as it has called for a restart of negotiations, making it hard to get a read on whether the U.S. president is simply taunting an adversary or using inflammatory words that could further widen the war between Israel and Iran that began with Israeli attacks on June 13. Until Trump's post Sunday afternoon, the coordinated messaging by his vice president, Pentagon chief, top military advisor and secretary of State suggested a confidence that any fallout would be manageable and that Iran's lack of military capabilities would ultimately force it back to the bargaining table. Hegseth had said that America 'does not seek war' with Iran, while Vice President JD Vance said the strikes had given Tehran the possibility of returning to negotiate with Washington. But the unfolding situation is not entirely under Washington's control, as Tehran has a series of levers to respond to the aerial bombings that could intensify the conflict in the Middle East with possible global repercussions. Iran can block oil being shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, attack U.S. bases in the region, engage in cyberattacks or accelerate its nuclear program — which might seem more of a necessity after the U.S. strikes. All of that raises the question of whether the U.S. bombing will open up a more brutal phase of fighting or revive negotiations out of an abundance of caution. In the U.S., the attack quickly spilled over into domestic politics, with Trump spending part of his Sunday going after his critics in Congress. He used a social media post to lambaste Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), a stalwart Trump supporter who had objected to the president taking military action without specific congressional approval. 'We had a spectacular military success yesterday, taking the 'bomb' right out of their hands (and they would use it if they could!)' Trump wrote. Boak and Pesoli write for the Associated Press.
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
"I Fully Regret Voting For This S—": Donald Trump Supporters Are Slamming Trump For Bombing Iran, And They're Not Holding Back
Last night, President Donald Trump announced that the US military had bombed three nuclear sites in Iran in a planned attack. If you didn't catch Trump's address to the nation, here's one moment that's going viral: Trump: I just want to thank everyone—in particular, God. We love you — Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) June 22, 2025 C-SPAN Twitter: @Mollyploofkins Trump also took to Truth Social to congratulate the US military on the strike and announced that "now is the time for peace." Well, MAGA supporters are not holding back their frustrations and voting regrets about Trump's decision to involve the US in another war in the Middle East. Here's what they're saying over on the r/LeopardsAteMyFace subreddit. lawmaker Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on X, stating, "This is not our fight." 2."I trusted you. I'm done with MAGA and all your bullshit." Related: Kamala Harris Trolled Donald Trump's Crowd Sizes Again, And This Little Jab Is Definitely Going To Set Him Off 3."I fully regret voting for this shit." 4."You betrayed us, your MAGA base. I voted for you THREE TIMES." 5."Trump needs to be impeached." 6."Donald Trump has completely failed us." Related: MAGA Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Doesn't Like This Army Vet's Now-Viral Speech 7."NO MORE WARS!!!" 8."I regret my vote and I couldn't apologize more for voting for this." 9."More than disappointed with this action." 10."He's betrayed the vast majority of his voter base." for Trump voter: "You promised us NO War, and you just started one!!!" 12."If the United States enters war with Iran, as appears to be the case, I will regret my vote." 13."Very disappointed in President Trump." 14."I wish I never voted for @realDonaldTrump." finally, "I trusted Trump to put America first... We have been betrayed." What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below. Also in In the News: Trump Had A Middle-Of-The-Night Meltdown About... Well... So Many Things Also in In the News: Donald Trump Supporters Are Waking Up To The Reality Of Their Ballot Choices, And The Stories Are A Loooooot Also in In the News: Gavin Newsom Just Absolutely Dragged Trump's Military Parade, And Trump's Really, Really Not Gonna Like It
Yahoo
40 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Here's how Iran could retaliate after US strikes on its nuclear program
Iran has spent decades building multi-tiered military capabilities at home and across the region that were at least partly aimed at deterring the United States from attacking it. By entering Israel's war, the U.S. may have removed the last rationale for holding them in reserve. That could mean a wave of attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East, an attempt to close a key bottleneck for global oil supplies or a dash to develop a nuclear weapon with what remains of Iran's disputed program after American strikes on three key sites. A decision to retaliate against the U.S. and its regional allies would give Iran a far larger target bank and one that is much closer than Israel, allowing it to potentially use its missiles and drones to greater effect. The U.S. and Israel have far superior capabilities, but those haven't always proven decisive in America's recent history of military interventions in the region. Ever since Israel started the war with a surprise bombardment of Iran's military and nuclear sites on June 13, Iranian officials from the supreme leader on down have warned the U.S. to stay out, saying it would have dire consequences for the entire region. It should soon be clear whether those were empty threats or a grim forecast. Here's a look at what Iran's next move might be. Targeting the Strait of Hormuz The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, through which some 20% of all oil traded globally passes, and at its narrowest point it is just 33 kilometers (21 miles) wide. Any disruption there could send oil prices soaring worldwide and hit American pocketbooks. Iran boasts a fleet of fast-attack boats and thousands of naval mines that could potentially make the strait impassable, at least for a time. It could also fire missiles from its long Persian Gulf shore, as its allies, Yemen's Houthi rebels, have done in the Red Sea. The U.S., with its 5th Fleet stationed in nearby Bahrain, has long pledged to uphold freedom of navigation in the strait and would respond with far superior forces. But even a relatively brief firefight could paralyze shipping traffic and spook investors, causing oil prices to spike and generating international pressure for a ceasefire. Attacking US bases and allies in the region The U.S. has tens of thousands of troops stationed in the region, including at permanent bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Arab Gulf countries just across the Persian Gulf from Iran — and much closer than Israel. Those bases boast the same kinds of sophisticated air defenses as Israel, but would have much less warning time before waves of missiles or swarms of armed drones. And even Israel, which is several hundred kilometers (miles) further away, has been unable to stop all of the incoming fire. Iran could also choose to attack key oil and gas facilities in those countries with the goal of exacting a higher price for U.S. involvement in the war. A drone attack on two major oil sites in Saudi Arabia in 2019 — claimed by the Houthis but widely blamed on Iran — briefly cut the kingdom's oil production in half. Activating regional allies Iran's so-called Axis of Resistance — a network of militant groups across the Middle East, is a shadow of what it was before the war ignited by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel out of the Gaza Strip — but it still has some formidable capabilities. Israel's 20-month war in Gaza has severely diminished the Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups, and Israel mauled Lebanon's Hezbollah last fall, killing most of its top leadership and devastating much of southern Lebanon, making its involvement unlikely. But Iran could still call on the Houthis, who had threatened to resume their attacks in the Red Sea if the U.S. entered the war, and allied militias in Iraq. Both have drone and missile capabilities that would allow them to target the United States and its allies. Iran could also seek to respond through militant attacks further afield, as it is widely accused of doing in the 1990s with an attack on a Jewish community center in Argentina that was blamed on Tehran and Hezbollah. A sprint toward nuclear arms It could be days or weeks before the full impact of the U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites is known. But experts have long warned that even joint U.S. and Israeli strikes would only delay Iran's ability to develop a weapon, not eliminate it. That's because Iran has dispersed its program across the country to several sites, including hardened, underground facilities. Iran would likely struggle to repair or reconstitute its nuclear program while Israeli and U.S. warplanes are circling overhead. But it could still decide to fully end its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and abandon the the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. North Korea announced its withdrawal from the treaty in 2003 and tested a nuclear weapon three years later, but it had the freedom to develop its program without punishing airstrikes. Iran insists its program is peaceful, though it is the only non-nuclear-armed state to enrich uranium up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA assess Iran hasn't had an organized military nuclear program since 2003. Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East but does not acknowledge having such weapons. ___ Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Joseph Krauss And Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press
