CDR Mike Ferrell
Commander Michael Ferrell, a native of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, is a 2009 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.
Navy doubles annual PT test requirement, updates failure guidelines
The U.S. Navy announced updates to physical fitness standards for sailors that will go into effect at the beginning of 2026, including aspects that will lead to a sailor’s administrative separation from the service. The service provided a Dec. 30 fact sheet laying out shifts in policy on the NAVADMIN website, after publishing a document that outlined consequences for PFA failure on Dec. 16. Most n...[Read More]
Navy doubles annual PT test requirement, updates failure guidelines
The U.S. Navy announced updates to physical fitness standards for sailors that will go into effect at the beginning of 2026, including aspects that will lead to a sailor’s administrative separation from the service. The service provided a Dec. 30 fact sheet laying out shifts in policy on the NAVADMIN website, after publishing a document that outlined consequences for PFA failure on Dec. 16. Most n...[Read More]
CDR Jake Lacey
CDR Lacey is from Gilbert, AZ and was commissioned through the NROTC program at the University of Arizona in 2008, earning a bachelor’s in Engineering Management.
CDR Amada K. Burd
A native to San Diego, California, she commissioned through the U.S. Naval Academy in 2007. In June 2024, she reported to Navy Talent Acquisition (NTAG) Group, Phoenix as the Executive Officer. In December 2025, Commander Burd assumed command of NTAG Phoenix.
US forces kill, capture ’nearly 25 ISIS’ fighters in Syria operations
The U.S. military said Tuesday that it had carried out a series of recent operations against the Islamic State in Syria, resulting in the death or detention of “nearly 25 ISIS operatives,” according to a U.S. Central Command release. Over a nine-day period, U.S. and allied forces conducted 11 operations that killed at least seven ISIS fighters and destroyed four of the group’s weapons caches, the ...[Read More]
US forces kill, capture ’nearly 25 ISIS’ fighters in Syria operations
The U.S. military said Tuesday that it had carried out a series of recent operations against the Islamic State in Syria, resulting in the death or detention of “nearly 25 ISIS operatives,” according to a U.S. Central Command release. Over a nine-day period, U.S. and allied forces conducted 11 operations that killed at least seven ISIS fighters and destroyed four of the group’s weapons caches, the ...[Read More]
US forces kill, capture ’nearly 25 ISIS’ fighters in Syria operations
The U.S. military said Tuesday that it had carried out a series of recent operations against the Islamic State in Syria, resulting in the death or detention of “nearly 25 ISIS operatives,” according to a U.S. Central Command release. Over a nine-day period, U.S. and allied forces conducted 11 operations that killed at least seven ISIS fighters and destroyed four of the group’s weapons caches, the ...[Read More]
Commander Corky S. Maschke
CDR Maschke was born in San Diego, CA 01 August 1986. He was primarily raised in Ohio and graduated from Mt. Gilead High School in May 2005.
CDR Amelia Hueter
CDR Amelia Hueter is from Tampa, FL. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Fordham University and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Program in 2009.
What is Nifty Nugget? NDAA revives 47-year-old military exercise
In 1978, the Defense Department conducted an exercise to simulate what would happen if it needed to mobilize all U.S. forces globally in the face of an existential conflict. It didn’t go well. The 21-day exercise, dubbed “Nifty Nugget,” brought two dozen military commands to bear to support a notional conflict in Europe. Due to major holes in planning, communication and logistics, up to half a mil...[Read More]
What is Nifty Nugget? NDAA revives 47-year-old military exercise
In 1978, the Defense Department conducted an exercise to simulate what would happen if it needed to mobilize all U.S. forces globally in the face of an existential conflict. It didn’t go well. The 21-day exercise, dubbed “Nifty Nugget,” brought two dozen military commands to bear to support a notional conflict in Europe. Due to major holes in planning, communication and logistics, up to half a mil...[Read More]