Tactics

News, explainers, and analysis on military tactics.

Latest in Tactics

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment, 218th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, South Carolina Army National Guard, conduct an Integrated Training Weapons Strategy (ITWS) qualification table for the newly fielded Next Generation Squad Weapon Rifle (NGSW-R) XM7 and Next Generation Squad Weapon Automatic Rifle (NGSW-AR) XM250, during a week-long training event held at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 20, 2024. During the first four days, the Soldiers learned about the XM7 and XM250 technical and tactical capabilities, then continued the training by firing and zeroing both weapons. The South Carolina Army National Guard is the third Army National Guard command to receive the new weapons, Following the North Carolina National Guard and the West Virginia National Guard. The 4-118th is part of the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, the “Old Hickory,” a modular heavy-brigade with headquarters in North Carolina. The “Old Hickory” is the second major command in the U.S. Army to be issued the new weapons. The XM7 and the XM250 will replace the currently issued M4 Carbine and the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, respectively. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Turner Horton)

Army’s next generation rifle designated M7 amid criticism over performance Army’s next generation rifle designated M7 amid criticism over performance

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on May 22, 2025

An F-35A Lightning II performs a restricted climb over March Air Reserve Base during takeoff for a practice demonstration, April 11, 2025. The F-35A Demonstration Team showcases the power, precision, and lethality of the world’s most advanced multirole stealth fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Nathan Poblete)

F-35’s close call over Yemen raises questions about how it’s used F-35’s close call over Yemen raises questions about how it’s used

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on May 13, 2025

A rat on a leash runs across the ground, a red sign with a skull and crossbones behind him.

Hero rat sets Guinness World Record for detecting landmines Hero rat sets Guinness World Record for detecting landmines

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Apr 5, 2025

U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Officer candidates perform an underwater exercise during an assessment and selection process at Hurlburt Field, Florida, March 5, 2025. STO selection is an arduous mental and physical process that screens candidates to become Air Force Special Tactics leaders, overseeing 14-member Special Tactics teams across the Air Force Special Operations Command enterprise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado)

This photo of Air Force special ops pool training is chaos. There’s a reason for that. This photo of Air Force special ops pool training is chaos. There’s a reason for that.

Posted on Mar 26, 2025

A new Army manual lays out the ‘arctic determination’ at the heart of fighting in extreme cold

A new Army manual lays out the ‘arctic determination’ at the heart of fighting in extreme cold A new Army manual lays out the ‘arctic determination’ at the heart of fighting in extreme cold

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Mar 19, 2025

Army researchers are developing a device that uses artificial intelligence to guide the delivery of pain management drugs for battlefield casualties.

Army researchers want AI to help soldiers deliver anesthetics in battle Army researchers want AI to help soldiers deliver anesthetics in battle

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Mar 10, 2025

Capt. Jesse Guerin and Sgt. 1st Class Aaron Angulo were named the Army’s best medics of 2025 after winning a competition at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

These are the Army’s best medics of 2025 These are the Army’s best medics of 2025

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Feb 27, 2025

Pvt. Alecsander Daniel (Left) and Sgt. Kyle Angove (Right), with Alpha Troop, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, bore-sight their M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle in Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, Oct. 20, 2020. The soldiers are in Syria to support Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) mission. CJTF remains committed to working by, with and through our partners to ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jensen Guillory)

Army recruits hoping for cav scout or armor jobs will have to wait for boot camp Army recruits hoping for cav scout or armor jobs will have to wait for boot camp

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Jan 23, 2025

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Little an electrician with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, applies a tourniquet to a simulated casualty during a combat lifesaver course at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, August 4, 2016. During the four-day course, Marines learned to recognize injuries, perform the appropriate procedures and control the patient to prolong survivability until help arrives. U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa Command support operations, contingencies and security cooperation in the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alexander Mitchell)

This Navy SEAL doctor is a big reason US troops carry tourniquets in combat today This Navy SEAL doctor is a big reason US troops carry tourniquets in combat today

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Jan 14, 2025

A satellite jammer sits atop a shipping container.

Space Force to deploy new jammers to yell at enemy satellites Space Force to deploy new jammers to yell at enemy satellites

By Nicholas Slayton

Posted on Dec 21, 2024

MAYPORT, Fla. (Apr. 14, 2024) – Master Chief Electronics Technician Ryan Magill (left), a native of Valparaiso, Ind., conducts push-ups during U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Navy Reserves physical readiness test, Apr. 14. COMUSNAVSO/4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Sippel)

Sailors who ace fitness test are now exempt from Navy body fat limits Sailors who ace fitness test are now exempt from Navy body fat limits

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Dec 2, 2024

Army Basic Training

Army revamps basic training to simulate battlefield stalked by drone swarms Army revamps basic training to simulate battlefield stalked by drone swarms

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Oct 17, 2024

UH-60 crews rehearsed emergency patient movements in Germany from Feb. 22-25 in preparation for Defender Europe 21. Army photo by Maj. Robert Fellingham.

With a drop of blood, an Army device can detect traumatic brain injuries in 15 minutes With a drop of blood, an Army device can detect traumatic brain injuries in 15 minutes

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Oct 2, 2024

U.S. Army Lt. Briana Harvey, team lead for CPT 169 during CYBER FLAG 22, assists another soldier with a computer issue at the Laurel Readiness Center, Laurel, MD during CYBER FLAG 22 on Jul. 25, 2022. Cyber Flag 22 is an annual U.S. Cyber Command training event that is designed to strengthen partnerships, improve the defensive skills, and enhance the readiness and collaboration of the participating cyber operators. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Tom Lamb)

Army to close active information operations command as it moves those ops to smaller specialized units Army to close active information operations command as it moves those ops to smaller specialized units

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Sep 20, 2024

The tower of power includes the special forces, ranger, and airborne tabs.

A comprehensive guide to the shoulder tabs Army soldiers wear on their uniforms A comprehensive guide to the shoulder tabs Army soldiers wear on their uniforms

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Sep 13, 2024

Pentagon to fund study of antibiotic-resistant wounds in Ukraine to plan for future wars

Pentagon to fund study of antibiotic-resistant wounds in Ukraine to plan for future wars Pentagon to fund study of antibiotic-resistant wounds in Ukraine to plan for future wars

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Sep 6, 2024