Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Serve.
‘Beau Travail’: Hard Work Has Never Looked So Good
Beau Travail is the 1999 cult classic from renowned director, Claire Denis. It tells the story of Galoup, an ex-Foreign Legion officer who recalls his time leading troops in the country of Djibouti; and thanks to the folks over at Janus Films, the world is finally receiving a brand new 4K digital restoration, supervised by director of photography Agnès Godard and approved by director Claire Denis. From an outsider’s perspective, this seems like something that has been a long time coming and I cannot think of a better way to watch this film for the first time.
By MovieBabble6 years ago in Serve
USS Knapp (DD-653)
This is a short read about the Fletcher-class destroyer USS Knapp (DD-653), built during World War II. The USS Knapp (DD-53) was deployed by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine on March 8, 1943 and launched on July 10, 1942 at Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
By Something Complicated6 years ago in Serve
The War On Photography
WHOOSH, a bullet barely misses me, and I hear a voice yelling at me to "GET DOWN." Bullets riddle through the sky at the platoon that is taking cover from enemy fire. Smoke and a dirt tornado swirl up as I grab my camera and get into a flat prone laying-down position to get pictures of this dirt tornado and soldiers' platoon.
By Casey Keller6 years ago in Serve
"If we want peace, somebody has to do the fighting..."
Another list of random memories from my time as a GI. And commencement: 1.) I once saw a lieutenant (LT) completely stun one of his fellow officers during combatives (hand to hand) training with a series of palm strikes that were supposed to be open hand slaps. Miscommunication.
By Nefarious Darrius6 years ago in Serve
Why am I here?
Everyone has different reasons for why they take certain paths in life. I’ve learned that a lot during my first couple weeks in Army basic training. And it’s got me thinking about why I’m even here in the first place. Some of the girls are here for independence and to get away from their families. Definitely not my reason. Some are here to try something new or to get physically fit. Kinda of my reasons, but more secondary. Other people joined for financial stability and college funding. That’s a lot closer to my reasons, but still doesn’t quite hit the nail exactly on the head. I just feel like there’s something more that pushed me to be here...
By Hannah York 6 years ago in Serve
Marine Corps Stories: Long Hairs
Lieutenant Colonel Twyla Herrick considered her unit to be in top working order. She was a 5 foot seven inch brown-skinned woman. Her face belied her forty seven years as a military woman. She had ensured that her Marines developed the skills they would need, not just for the Marine Corps, but for life. She had instituted several policies regarding proper conduct. One of these was a ban on the terms “WM’s” “FM’s” “split tails” and of course, “long hairs.” In her case it was ironic, as she kept a close cut almost to the point of baldness. So when it was brought to her attention that a group of female Marines were calling themselves long hairs without permission, she reacted.
By Skyler Saunders6 years ago in Serve
