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Drew F. Lawrence

@dflawrence.bsky.social
768 followers 158 following 34 posts

Reporter for DefenseScoop. Reach me at drew.lawrence@defensescoop.com or on Signal at dflawrence.51.

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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Tim Starks @timstarks.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Cybercom didn’t tell troops to disable location services or uninstall apps, military officials say, after viral message spread amid Iran operation @defensescoop.bsky.social @dflawrence.bsky.social defensescoop.com/2026/03/01/c...
defensescoop.com
Cybercom didn’t tell troops to disable location services or uninstall apps, military officials say, after viral message spread amid Iran operation
Multiple defense officials said Sunday that a viral message purporting to be from U.S. Cyber Command wasn’t sent by the command, with one calling it "false."
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Greg Otto @gregotto.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Customs and Border Protection personnel — not U.S. troops — used military laser to shoot object near El Paso -- new from @dflawrence.bsky.social over on @defensescoop.bsky.social defensescoop.com/2026/02/11/e...
defensescoop.com
Customs and Border Protection personnel — not U.S. troops — used military laser to shoot object near El Paso
U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel shot down an object with a military laser earlier this week near El Paso, Texas, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Nicholas Slayton @nslayton.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Really great reporting and writing here from @dflawrence.bsky.social
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Task & Purpose @taskandpurpose.com · 17/11/2025
A Marine collapsed during a PT test. His family and former leadership say his death was preventable. trib.al/mEWWnOc
trib.al
A Marine collapsed during a PT test. His family and former leadership say his death was preventable.
When Marine Sgt. Gordon Reed collapsed during a fitness test in Florida, a string of decisions by fellow Marines delayed his medical care.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
“Atropia” currently clocks a whopping 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is coincidentally your unit’s vehicle readiness rate.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 11/10/2025
Troops stung by ‘hard’ credit checks and unexpected denials in USAA’s relief loans — latest from me @taskandpurpose.com One soldier messaged USAA’s chatbot about his denied loan. It pushed a credit card, then said to consider opening an account with Navy Fed. taskandpurpose.com/military-lif...
taskandpurpose.com
Troops stung by ‘hard’ credit checks and unexpected denials in USAA’s relief loans
Some troops were surpised by hard credit checks and unexpected denials for relief loans by military-friendly lender USAA.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
?
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Military.com @militarydotcom.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
48 Hours with Marines and Soldiers on the US Southern Border www.military.com/daily-news/i...
military.com
48 Hours with Marines and Soldiers on the US Southern Border
Amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, military assets and personnel are increasingly being relied upon for a new type of mission.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
48 Hours with Marines and Soldiers on the US Southern Border — @militarydotcom.bsky.social www.military.com/daily-news/i...
military.com
48 Hours with Marines and Soldiers on the US Southern Border
Amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, military assets and personnel are increasingly being relied upon for a new type of mission.
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Zachary Fryer-Biggs @zachfb.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
VA Secretary has decided to attack my colleague @patriciakime.bsky.social with an ambush video, willfully misrepresenting her reporting to try and deceive veterans about her important watchdog journalism. I've worked with Patricia off and on for 14 years, let me just say she's the absolute best.
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Military.com @militarydotcom.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide Produced in partnership with @washingtonpost.com
military.com
In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide
Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark reality.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
This story was published jointly between The Washington Post and @militarydotcom.bsky.social. Here is a gift link to the @washingtonpost.com version of the article: wapo.st/40QnVXb
wapo.st
In one of the Marines’ most iconic jobs, a stunning pattern of suicide
Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark reality.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
“People, in general, have problems in their personal lives,” one widow said. “But when you have the drill instructor job, it amplifies those problems because of how long you’re away from home, how tired you are.”
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Some noted that the USMC lacks adequate services for those who are struggling, and tacitly condones a culture that stigmatizes those who seek it. “We put a drastic expectation on them to act perfect,” one Marine said. "It causes this stress that trickles into their home life.”
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
The already high-stress DI role became even more intense after the 2016 death of Raheel Siddiqui, a Muslim recruit who suffered abuse at Parris Island. His case led to stricter oversight of the men and women who train new Marines.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
The job’s unspoken expectations also can have a chilling effect on any impulse to seek care, they said, describing a prevailing reluctance to be away from work — for mental health reasons or even a family event — for fear of leaving teammates shorthanded.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
One former drill instructor said the experience left him and his family shattered, adding, “I experienced a really, really dark side of myself.” Another turned to alcohol to cope: “Let me just have a drink...so that I don’t overreact when I might talk to my children.”
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
A 2023 Marine IG investigation found a culture of "surviving" vs. "thriving," at Parris Island where DIs felt their welfare was a low priority. Many described "walking on eggshells," "on pins and needles," and being "afraid for their careers."
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
At least seven drill instructors died by suicide in the past five years. In 2023, three DI suicides occurred at Parris Island within less than three months.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
Many describe routine 90-hour-plus workweeks, sleep deprivation and an always-on culture that frequently caused the job’s requisite intensity to seep into their personal lives, igniting disputes with loved ones. Others detailed bouts of depression or alcohol dependency.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
An internal 2019 USMC study said 29 DIs died by suicide or contemplated it over a 10-year period, startlingly high compared with the occurrence of suicidal ideation among Marines who never held that job, it said. Addiction and divorce among drill instructors also were higher.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
We conducted 30+ interviews with service members, their superiors and family members who have lost drill instructors to suicide, and reviewed countless documents related to the environments at the USMC's two recruit depots in Parris Island and San Diego.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide. Kelsey Baker & I spent over a year investigating the mental health crisis among Marine Corps drill instructors. www.military.com/daily-news/i...
military.com
In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide
Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark reality.
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Military.com @militarydotcom.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Marines Face Tough Choices as Reenlistment Bonuses Are Threatened by Congress' Late Budgets
buff.ly
Marines Face Tough Choices as Reenlistment Bonuses Are Threatened by Congress' Late Budgets
Reenlistment bonuses for 933 Marines are at risk of not being paid out by the Marine Corps because Congress cannot agree to pass a budget on time, instead relying on a short-term band-aid called a…
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Military.com @militarydotcom.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Marine Corps Day Care Hit with Legal Allegations of Widespread Child Abuse
buff.ly
Marine Corps Day Care Hit with Legal Allegations of Widespread Child Abuse
Five Marine Corps families filed federal claims against the government late last month alleging that negligent hiring practices, training and supervision at a Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona,…
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Steven Beynon @stevenbeynon.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Seemingly for months - Ft Carson has struggled to feed its troops. Food shortages, undercooked food, low portions. www.military.com/daily-news/2...
military.com
Food Is Hard to Find at Fort Carson, as Base Struggles with Feeding Soldiers
As Americans gather for Thanksgiving feasts, soldiers at Fort Carson, Colorado, are contending with a far less festive reality -- months of insufficient meals, confusing schedules, and limited food op...
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Zachary Fryer-Biggs @zachfb.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
As you tuck into your Thanksgiving feast, just a reminder that folks on bases are having a hell fo a time getting a meal these days. Important story from @stevenbeynon.bsky.social
military.com
Food Is Hard to Find at Fort Carson, as Base Struggles with Feeding Soldiers
As Americans gather for Thanksgiving feasts, soldiers at Fort Carson, Colorado, are contending with a far less festive reality -- months of insufficient meals, confusing schedules, and limited food op...
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Zachary Fryer-Biggs @zachfb.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
We need some help next month in our newsroom. A couple of weeks of contract work, reporting with our team covering the military. Beats will vary. It's a role that has been performed to perfection in the past by Kelsey Baker, Rachel Nostrant and others. Email me Zach.Biggs@Military.com
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Konstantin Toropin @ktoropin.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
SCOOP: The steel company that made the faulty gear in last year's Osprey crash may still be making parts Tom Novelly and I tried to get an answer and NAVAIR and Bell Flight refused to answer Plus, the same company was sued in '01 also for making bad plane parts www.military.com/daily-news/2...
military.com
Steel Company Tied to Deadly Air Force Osprey Crash Faced Defective Parts Lawsuit in 2001
Military officials have refused to say whether they're still working with a company responsible for making the gear that failed on an Air Force V-22 Osprey aircraft and led to the deaths of eight airm...
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Zachary Fryer-Biggs @zachfb.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Staffing shortages for medical care when it comes to active duty service members and veterans are severe, to the point that important programs and facilities are facing closure. @patriciakime.bsky.social has the details on one flagship substance abuse center going dark.
military.com
Navy Shutters Premier East Coast Substance Abuse Program Amid Staffing Shortages
The program, in an aging building at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia, has struggled to retain employees.
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Steven Beynon @stevenbeynon.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Trump's Pentagon pick's protest against women in combat could mean thousands of troops may have to find new military careers (a logistical nightmare) -- or they'll be outright removed from the military. Retraining would be an enormous financial cost. www.military.com/daily-news/2...
military.com
Thousands of Women Serve in Combat Roles. Pentagon Nominee Hegseth Says They Shouldn’t.
Pete Hegseth has made clear, in his own words, that he is critical of military service by women and more specifically opposes female troops serving in combat roles.
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Zachary Fryer-Biggs @zachfb.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Defense Sec nominee Hegseth has talked about wanting women out of combat roles. There are roughly 4,000 women with those jobs in the Army alone and that doesn't even get into the forward deployed Navy. Important piece from @stevenbeynon.bsky.social @dflawrence.bsky.social and @ktoropin.bsky.social
military.com
Thousands of Women Serve in Combat Roles. Pentagon Nominee Hegseth Says They Shouldn’t.
Pete Hegseth has made clear, in his own words, that he is critical of military service by women and more specifically opposes female troops serving in combat roles.
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Travis J. Tritten @travistritten.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
If confirmed by the Senate, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Pentagon could mean upheaval for the careers of thousands of women serving in the military. NEW from @stevenbeynon.bsky.social, @dflawrence.bsky.social and @ktoropin.bsky.social
military.com
Thousands of Women Serve in Combat Roles. Pentagon Nominee Hegseth Says They Shouldn’t.
Pete Hegseth has made clear, in his own words, that he is critical of military service by women and more specifically opposes female troops serving in combat roles.
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Sam LaGrone @samlagrone.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Here's a thing we do at USNI News that I'd like to share with my fellow Blue Sky-nians (A brief thread). USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Nov. 18, 2024 news.usni.org/2024/11/18/u...
news.usni.org
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Nov. 18, 2024
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Nov. 18, 2024, based on Navy and public data. In cases wher...
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Steven Beynon @stevenbeynon.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
NEW: Senior officers and other instructors have taken advantage of the Army's little oversight over ROTC -- where young women are groomed, assaulted, harassed, and, in some cases - raped. Those women do not have clear mechanisms to report abuse. www.military.com/daily-news/2...
military.com
Kings of Campus: How Some Army Instructors Use Their Clout to Prey on College Cadets
To the young students in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), the officers who run the programs on college campuses are impressive.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
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Konstantin Toropin @ktoropin.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
One name to watch on this list - Army Lt. Gen. Chris Donahue for promotion to four stars. Donahue was famously the last man out of Afghanistan. Trump vowed to fire "every single senior official who touched the Afghanistan calamity" on Inauguration Day. www.defense.gov/News/Release...
defense.gov
General Officer Announcements
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced that the president has made general officer nominations.
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Dan Lamothe @danlamothe.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Hi all. It feels like a time to give this app a more serious look. I'm Dan. I have covered national security since 2008, focusing most heavily on U.S. military affairs. I've covered the Obama, Trump and Biden administration without fear or favor, and will cover Trump that way again now.
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Travis J. Tritten @travistritten.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
"He was testing the limits of what he could do," a former ROTC cadet said, recalling her final year of college when her instructor began to push for a sexual relationship.
military.com
Kings of Campus: How Some Army Instructors Use Their Clout to Prey on College Cadets
To the young students in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), the officers who run the programs on college campuses are impressive.
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Zachary Fryer-Biggs @zachfb.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
There are about a dozen reports of unwanted sexual advances or assaults by Army ROTC instructors on college campuses each year. But this investigation by @stevenbeynon.bsky.social shows there are many more incidents, and a complex web of factors that make cadets hesitant to report them. Must read.
military.com
Kings of Campus: How Some Army Instructors Use Their Clout to Prey on College Cadets
To the young students in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), the officers who run the programs on college campuses are impressive.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Kings of Campus: How Some Army Instructors Use Their Clout to Prey on College Cadets www.military.com/daily-news/2...
military.com
Kings of Campus: How Some Army Instructors Use Their Clout to Prey on College Cadets
To the young students in the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), the officers who run the programs on college campuses are impressive.
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Patricia Kime @patriciakime.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
President Elect Trump has nominated former Georgia Rep. and Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Dou Collins (a chaplain) for VA Secretary
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Zachary Fryer-Biggs @zachfb.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
Most of the Military.com news team chipped in on this look at the Secretary of Defense nominee's background. www.military.com/daily-news/2...
military.com
'He's Going to Have to Explain It': Surprise Defense Secretary Pick's History Takes Center Stage
Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's surprise pick to be the next defense secretary, has an extensive history of combat in the culture wars that have been brewing over the military for the pas...
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Patricia Kime @patriciakime.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
Happening now before House Veterans Affairs Committee, Rep. Morgan Luttrell holding a hearing on burials in National Cemeteries including Arlington National Cemetery: veterans.house.gov/calendar/eve...
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 12/11/2024
Breaking News: Jack Teixeira, an Air National Guardsman known as one of the most prolific leakers of national security secrets, received 15 years in prison. He was arrested in 2023 and accused of sharing classified material on Discord.
nytimes.com
Teixeira Is Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
The disclosures that Jack Teixeira shared on a social media platform raised questions over how a relatively low-ranking Air National Guardsman had access to some of the country’s most sensitive secret...
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Patricia Kime @patriciakime.bsky.social · 11/11/2024
This Veterans Day, Harriet Tubman became a one-star in the Maryland National Guard: www.military.com/daily-news/2...
military.com
On Veterans Day, Harriet Tubman Gets Formal Recognition of Her Military Service
In addition to her work leading slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad, Tubman headed reconnaissance parties and planned and executed a Union raid along the Combahee River in South Carolina.
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
If you have any recommendations on who I should follow on here, all ears!
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Drew F. Lawrence @dflawrence.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
I started asking the question: what - if anything - will change about Marine Corps Force Design under Trump's presidency? So far, it appears to be too early to tell. I asked the USMC, too (answer below). For those closely following FD, what do you think?
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Travis Reese (Against war with NATO) @ctreese2.bsky.social · 30/10/2024
I appreciate Jeff Schogol hosting my Dad and I for this story. It was a good walk down deployment memory lane and cool to share this moment with my pop. My Dad's stories are cooler & I sound like I'm struggling to complete a sentence, but it was good all the same. taskandpurpose.com/news/marine-...
taskandpurpose.com
Garbage, PowerPoint, combat: Father and son revisit their wars at Marine Corps museum
Travis Reese and his father Patrick reminisced on their wartime experiences while visiting the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
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Reposted by Drew F. Lawrence
Travis Reese (Against war with NATO) @ctreese2.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
For those getting their military news network rebuilt on B-sky, Drew has a good starter pack on this pinned post.
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