We were deep in Nepal, backpacking through the Himalayas. The cool evening air blew across the terrace overlooking lush green mountains as we unfurled the Exped Cassira two-person tent. In a matter of minutes, we had the tent set up and the vestibules wide open, letting in air and offering…

Editor’s note: Originally published as part of Military.com’s former PayCheck Chronicles blog in 2016. I’ve spent the past few days in San Antonio, at a conference hosted by USAA. During one portion of the conference, we met with representatives from different departments and learned about the things they are doing.…

The AR-15 is not just a range rifle or a tactical toy. It is a genuinely capable hunting platform, and if you have spent any real time chasing game with one, you already know the critics are missing the point. It’s rather common for people to claim the AR-15 isn’t…

As I watched the waves crash against the rocky shoreline and my only dry option of making it back to my truck, I could only hope and pray that the kayak didn’t pop. I would soon learn that this inflatable kayak was more durable than traditional pool floaties, and I…

First-person shooters are one of the most crowded genres in gaming, but only a few reach a level where players call them perfect. These are the games that feel complete from start to finish. The shooting is smooth, the pacing feels right, and every system works the way it should.…

The ATN ThOR 6 Mini 256 comes in small, tough, and priced like it wants to start a fight in the budget thermal scope aisle. It found pigs, handled real hunting use, and packed smart features into a compact optic, but its 256×192 sensor still fails to meet buyers earn…

There’s an informal logical fallacy called argument from authority. Basically, it’s where someone uses their authority, particularly when it’s not relevant to the discussion, to dismiss someone’s arguments. “I’m a lawyer, so I know more than you, and you’re wrong about particle physics.” That kind of thing. …

In a survival story worthy of Hollywood, a Colorado firefighter is expected to recover after a harrowing ordeal while mountain climbing. On Wednesday, July 1, the firefighter was climbing North Apostle Mountain, a 13,000-foot peak in the Sawatch Range, when a 400-pound boulder rolled over and pinned their leg. The…

Here are the latest PCS and TDY/TAD privately owned vehicle mileage reimbursement rates. The mileage reimbursement rate for official travel via privately owned vehicle (POV) remains the same in 2025 for permanent change of station moves. For PCS travel, the Mileage Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT) rate is $0.205…

Weatherby’s new 25 Wby RPM is a fast, efficient quarter-bore that pushes heavy high-BC bullets hard without punching your shoulder like a full-house magnum. We tested it in the Weatherby Model 307 Range XP 2.0 to see if this newcomer is a real threat to the old favorites. Why Weatherby’s…

When will you get paid in 2026? These are the official military pay dates. This table reflects the schedule of 2026 military pay dates for the active and reserve components. The information may help avoid any confusion as to when you should expect to see the payment deposited to your…

Artificial intelligence–or, more accurately, what we call artificial intelligence today versus actual intelligence–is practically a buzzword these days. Numerous businesses claim to use it for whatever the hell they’re doing, and it’s been applied in a number of unique and beneficial ways. I like to use it to help…

Divorce can be a financially complex event, especially if a VA loan is involved. A divorce decree can divide property and assign who pays the mortgage, but it can’t change your contract with the lender or automatically free up your VA loan entitlement. That means your entitlement could get tied…

A permanent change of station move, or PCS move, isn’t a one-time expense. It’s a major event that can stretch across two or three months, and even experienced military families routinely underestimate the costs. The good news is that PCS spending can be more predictable if you know what to…

National reciprocity legislation is now something we know the Trump administration is working on. While it’s not the ideal situation–national constitutional carry would be so much better–it’s far better than the status quo. As it stands, a permit in one state might be recognized in another, or it might…

A new option has hit the market for heavy e-bikes and versatile riders. Introducing the Thule Vero hitch bike rack, which joined our testing ring this season. The Thule Vero hitch bike rack is engineered to bridge the gap between heavy-duty e-bikes — and virtually any other bike. Gravel bikes.…

For many people, open-world games are an ideal place to kick back and relax, as the content is often far more laid-back and the attention is placed on volume over pure intensity. As a result, there aren’t many open-world RPGs that pose a serious challenge, especially when, in many cases,…

What should have been a summer getaway at a hunting camp ended in heartbreak. Two University of Alabama students were killed after a fire tore through a hunting camp in Conecuh County early Wednesday morning, and investigators now believe fireworks may have played a role in the tragedy. According to…

A retired military reservist approaching age 60 needs to take several steps before starting to receive military retirement pay; needs to review their Survivor Benefit Plan election; and may prepare to switch to “regular” retiree Tricare coverage. Most reserve retirees are eligible to receive military retirement pay at age 60.…

A proposal that could effectively ban hunting, fishing, slaughterhouses, and many forms of animal testing in Oregon just took a big step toward the November ballot. According to KATU, supporters of Initiative Petition 28, also known as the PEACE Act, say they submitted roughly 140,000 signatures to the Oregon Secretary…

The ATF is changing rules aplenty, and they’re a massive departure from years gone by, when everyone in leadership there was as anti-gun as they came. It’s almost universally good news for us, to say the least. Yes, I’m happy overall with where things are…

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Hamas militant group said Monday it had dissolved its government in Gaza and is preparing to transfer power to a technical committee backed by the United Nations as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal. Hamas did not say whether it planned to take…

A Pocatello man who prosecutors say made more than $55,000 running an illegal hunting operation has been sentenced to prison and permanently stripped of his hunting privileges. According to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Joelseph Jenkins was sentenced June 2 in Teton County after pleading guilty to multiple…

At long last, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is getting a much-requested update on July 7, nearly two years since its original release. Credit: Dominik Bošnjak / GameRant | Source images: Activision Originally published by  Game Rant Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is becoming a standalone game on July…