Giving Back
November 10, 2023
This Houston Program Turns Veterans Into Urban Farmers
Growing Urban Farmers teaches veterans how to use their skills to make a living from working the soil, improving their mental health along the way.
Military
Latest
1-50 of 121 Articles
The Texanist
July 18, 2023
The Texanist: Where Do All Those Cannons in Courthouse Squares Come From?
A Plano woman wonders why so many small towns have so many big guns.
Politics & Policy
May 29, 2023
As the Son of a Soldier, I’m Proud. As a Latino, My Feelings Are More Complex.
My father spent twenty years in the Air Force. I value his service, but generations of Latinos have sought equality through the military only to remain suspect citizens.
Texas Country Reporter
May 29, 2023
The Texas Company That Supplies Wool for All U.S. Military Uniforms
Since 1941, a family company called Anodyne Wool has provided the raw material for uniforms in every branch of the military.
BBQ Joint Reviews
November 11, 2022
An Army Vet Works Through His Trauma by Cooking Barbecue
After a battlefield attack left him mentally scarred, Steven Rossler found strength in telling his story and working the Rossler’s Blue Cord Barbecue pit with his family.
News & Politics
November 9, 2022
Inside Texas A&M’s New Military Combat Lab
At the high-tech testing ground near College Station, the Army can develop its future drones, missiles, lasers, and vehicles.
Politics & Policy
July 15, 2022
The Korean War Memorial’s New Wall of Remembrance Appears to Forget Hundreds of U.S. Casualties
Dallas brothers Hal and Ted Barker, who have spent decades studying Korean War deaths, believe the wall is riddled with omissions and errors.
By Michael Hall![Michael Hall's Profile Photo]()
Texas Country Reporter
May 27, 2022
A Group of Veterans in Port Arthur Honors Those Who Served
Pastor Buddy Blake led volunteers who help step in for the Department of Defense to honor fallen soldiers with a proper military burial.
News & Politics
April 8, 2022
A Virtual Revolution in Air Force Training
“Mixed-reality” tools are in development in San Antonio and Wichita Falls for the next generation of airmen.
Texas History
April 6, 2022
A Vast Military History Archive Is Hiding in Plain Sight on This Texas Campus
The Texas Heritage Museum at Hill College has grown into a nationally recognized collection specializing Civil War history.
News & Politics
March 18, 2021
A Fatal Error Inspired a Plan to Reduce Friendly Fire, but the Military Isn’t Interested
Thirty years ago, Ralph Hayles fired the missiles that killed two American soldiers in Iraq. Ever since, he has worked to develop technology that could prevent similar deaths, while the military has looked elsewhere to address the problem—with little success.
Texas History
November 11, 2019
“We Cannot Forget About Them”: A Southwest Pilot Brings His Father’s Remains Home to Dallas
Roy Knight Jr. was killed in action in Vietnam, and his remains were missing for decades. Now his family has finally found closure.
By Cat Cardenas![Cat Cardenas's Profile Photo]()
Health
October 2, 2019
Saving Lives in Tomorrow’s War, Today
In the next big military conflict, experts expect heavy casualties on battlefields from which quick medical evacuation may be impossible. Whether wounded Americans live or die will depend on work happening now in Texas.
News & Politics
July 19, 2019
LULAC Calls For Fort Hood to Be Renamed Fort Benavidez
The national Latinx civil rights organization pushes for the Central Texas army base to finally honor a Texan hero.
Texas History
June 18, 2019
It’s Time to Rename Fort Hood for a Truly Texan Hero: Roy Benavidez
We should honor this badass Medal of Honor winner, not an incompetent Confederate general who fought against the United States government in defense of slavery.
News & Politics
June 14, 2019
An Early Internet Meme Found Its Way Onto a Houston World War II Memorial
Digging into the provenance of a provocative message carved into a shrine to fallen soldiers.
Texas History
June 5, 2019
Five Creative Proposals for the Battleship Texas’s Future
What should be done with the historic dreadnought once it’s relocated from its longtime home?
Best Thing in Texas
May 28, 2019
The Best Thing in Texas: A Fallen Soldier Returns Home Almost 70 Years Later
Texas GI Hershell Riggs went missing in 1950, but his family never gave up hope he’d come back home.
By Cat Cardenas![Cat Cardenas's Profile Photo]()
Books
May 21, 2019
Admiral William McRaven Tells Spellbinding ‘Sea Stories’
The new book by the retired special forces commander and former UT chancellor is filled with tales from an adventure-seeking life.
Film & TV
May 9, 2019
New Comedy Central Series ‘Klepper’ Wrestles With PTSD in Killeen
In the series’ debut episode, a trio of military veterans from the Valhalla Club invite comedian and TV host Jordan Klepper into the ring.
Best Thing in Texas
January 29, 2019
The Best Thing in Texas: Thousands Showed Up for Burial of Unaccompanied Veteran
When no next of kin could be located, Texans showed up en masse to make sure this veteran’s service was honored at his burial.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
News & Politics
November 29, 2018
Texas A&M Says Howdy to the Army Futures Command
General John Murray and his staff recently got their first chance to size up the research possibilities in College Station.
The Culture
November 10, 2018
On the Marine Corps’ Birthday, Honoring Lubbock’s Lee Roy Herron, an Ordinary Miracle
In his quiet, selfless way, 1st Lt. Herron exemplified Marines everywhere. February will mark the 50th anniversary of Herron’s death in Vietnam.
News & Politics
August 24, 2018
Austin’s New Army Futures Command Marks ‘Biggest Reorganization of the Army Since 1973’
Top Army brass emphasized the need for innovation, while Austin Mayor Steve Adler tried keeping it weird.
News & Politics
July 19, 2018
U.S. Army Mirrored Amazon’s HQ2 Search Tactics in Choosing New Futures Command Location
The Army chose Austin, citing its entrepreneurial culture and incentives from UT.
The National Podcast of Texas
July 3, 2018
Admiral William H. McRaven: A Conversation on Patriotism and the Fourth of July
Podcast: Andy Langer speaks with the four-star admiral and newly retired chancellor of the University of Texas system about the holiday and the state of our American ideals.
Politics & Policy
May 9, 2018
MJ Hegar: Prove That Advocating for Women is in Everyone’s Best Interests
"In the military, there’s a sense of camaraderie that can sometimes make people bystanders. Once people see that this kind of treatment is damaging to the group, that’s when they’ll speak up. We have to change it so that people are more embarrassed to stand by and let it happen
Best Thing in Texas
January 12, 2018
The Best Thing in Texas: Shea Serrano Fans Are Sending a Whole Bunch of Copies of His Basketball Book to Soldiers Deployed Overseas
The generous spirit of the Houston-based writer—and his online army of fans—continues to impress.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
The Daily Post
November 6, 2017
How the Sutherland Springs Shooter Got a Gun Despite a Domestic Violence Conviction
A background check should have stopped Devin Kelley from purchasing a rifle.
Sports
September 25, 2017
How A Texas Green Beret Helped The NFL’s National Anthem Protests Evolve
Nate Boyer, a six-year Army vet who served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, inspired the idea of taking a knee.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
August 25, 2017
When Heroes and Despots Are the Same Person
The conflict about Confederate statues reflects the contradictions within historical figures themselves.
The Daily Post
June 13, 2017
What We Know About Reality Leigh Winner, the Texan Charged Under the Espionage Act
The NSA contractor accused of leaking a classified document has South Texas roots.
Features
May 25, 2017
Welcome to the Green Machine
My son was jobless, directionless, and apartmentless. So when he decided to join the Army, we were just glad he was out of the house. What we didn’t know was just how much the military would change him—and us.
Texas History
June 16, 2016
Off Course
I never knew my father, a decorated World War II pilot who died before I was born. But a trek at age 67 to the site where his airplane crashed brought me closer to him than I’d ever dared hope.
Film & TV
June 2, 2016
How We Talk About Chris Kyle
It’s possible to be both a hero and a liar.
January 31, 2016
To Tell the Truth
Michael McManus was one of thousands of men and women who embellish their military service. But his story casts a different light on stolen valor.
Military
November 18, 2015
Over There
In Africa Texas Special Forces unit are trying to help win the War on Terror, teaching one lesson at a time.
The Daily Post
November 11, 2015
Three Of The Best Cities For Veterans Seeking Opportunity Are In Texas
According to a new list from USAA and the U.S. Chamber Of Commerce, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio are among the best cities for job-seeking military veterans.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Books
September 17, 2015
Self-defense for Sheep
A few lessons from retired Navy SEAL Clint Emerson.
Sports
September 17, 2015
The Four-Star Chancellor
After retiring from a celebrated career in the Navy, William McRaven takes on a new fight: the battle over higher education.
The Daily Post
June 18, 2015
Some Jade Helm Conspiracy Theorists Think the Rain Is a Government Plot to Attack Texas
Seems likely.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
The Daily Post
March 26, 2015
What You Should Know About the Bowe Bergdahl Charges
The former POW has been formally charged with desertion and misbehavior before the enemy and now faces court-martial.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
The Daily Post
January 20, 2015
‘American Sniper’ Is Blowing Away Box Office Records
Clint Eastwood’s Chris Kyle biopic took in an astonishing $89.5 million in its wide release this weekend.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Critters
January 9, 2015
The Dogs of War
The lives of military dogs.
Film & TV
October 8, 2014
The Trailer for Clint Eastwood’s ‘American Sniper’ Gets Inside the Life and Head of Chris Kyle
It looks every bit as intense as you might guess.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
The Daily Post
September 2, 2014
The Texas National Guard in the Valley Reached Out to a Local Food Bank While Waiting For Their Paychecks
It's unclear if any troops have used the charity resource, but it's bad optics surrounding the already controversial decision to send the National Guard to the border.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
Politics & Policy
August 4, 2014
Can Marijuana Help Veterans With PTSD?
We asked four people—including a legislator, a doctor, and a veteran—to have an open dialogue about the pros and cons of using marijuana to help people cope with PTSD.
Politics & Policy
May 9, 2014
War Without End
For many military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, their only relief comes from a drug that is illegal in Texas: marijuana. Can a growing band of cannabis advocates persuade our legislators to change that?
Film & TV
April 10, 2014
Watch The Trailer For The Forthcoming Afghanistan War Movie ‘Fort Bliss’
The two-minute preview of the film depicts a heartbreaking homecoming.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()
The Daily Post
April 3, 2014
Here’s Everything We Know At This Point About The Shooting At Fort Hood
The last news anyone wanted about the Army post at Fort Hood was another mass shooting. Here's what we know right now.
By Dan Solomon![Dan Solomon's Profile Photo]()