Hope Hodge Seck

Hope Hodge Seck is an award-winning investigative and enterprise reporter who has been covering military issues since 2009. She is the former managing editor for Military.com.

Hope’s previous assignments have included a war zone embed in Afghanistan with Marines and multiple reporting trips aboard amphibious ships and aircraft carriers. Her awards include multiple North Carolina Press Association Honors, the 2015 and 2017 Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Heinl awards for feature writing, the Military Reporters and Editors Association 2015 award for domestic military coverage, and the 2016 American Legion 4th Estate Award for print reporting. She is also a member of the board of directors at the Military Reporters and Editors Association.

A graduate of The King's College in New York City, her work has also appeared in Marine Corps Times, Newsweek, USA Today, The New York Sun, and World Magazine.

Latest Articles

The unique way that PFC Harold Schultz carrried his rifle -- because of a broken shoulder strap -- helped identify him as the sixth man represented by the iconic Iwo Jima memorial.

The Incredible Story Behind the Iwo Jima Photo Discovery

PFC Harold Schultz, USMC, was misidentified in the iconic 1945 photo of the Iwo Jima flag-raising during World War II.

5 Things to Start Your Week: March 12, 2018

Here are five news stories and events to start your week, from the editors at Military.com.

Lawmakers Blast 'Inadequate' Shipbuilding Budget, 30-Year Plan

Lawmakers criticized the plan as inadequate for a Navy that needs more grey hulls today to meet global requirements.

Memo: No Tanks, 'Older' Aircraft at Trump's Military Parade

Guidance provided in bullet points instructs that the parade include only wheeled vehicles, not tanks.

Medal of Honor Recipient Dead at 41 After Yearslong Lung Cancer Fight

Army Staff Sgt. Ronald J. Shurer, who earned the Medal of Honor for heroism, has died following a battle with lung cancer.

Former White House Chief of Staff Is Now a Navy Ensign

It's official: The former Republican National Committee chairman and chief of staff for President Trump is in the Navy.

US Soldier in Korea Has Active-Duty Military's First Case of Coronavirus

A U.S. soldier stationed at Camp Carroll in South Korea has tested positive for Coronavirus.

RBG's Trainer, Army Vet Bryant Johnson, Does Push-Ups in Front of Her Casket

The tribute was perfect for a powerful woman known for being as strong as she was tiny.

Lawmaker to Army Secretary: Investigate Troops Deploying to Inauguration for Domestic Terror Sympathies

An urgent briefing between Rep. Jason Crow and Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy has revealed new details about the tense timeline...

Lt. Col. Jennifer Grieves, 45, was relieved from command of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 474 due to a loss of trust and confidence in her ability to continue to lead. (Marine Corps photo)

First Female Commander of Marine One Fired After Assault Charge

The Marine officer who was named a "person of the week" when she became the first aircraft commander of Marine One has been...

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Jasmin Moghbeli, a pilot assigned to Marine Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) 1

This Former Marine Cobra Pilot Saw Combat in Afghanistan. Now, She’s Commanding Her First Space Mission

Marine Lt. Col. Jasmin “Jaws” Moghbeli is about to go where very few helicopter pilots have gone before.

Cold Temperature and Arctic Protection System foot movement

Soldiers Issued High-Speed Arctic Gear as Army Gets Serious About Fighting in the Cold

Hundreds of soldiers are now receiving layered protection suits capable of withstanding temperatures as low as minus 65...

A U.S. Marine recruiter converses with an attendee during Ultimatum II, a Smash Ultimate Tournament.

As Military Recruiters Embrace Esports, Marine Corps Says it Won't Turn War into a Game

The Corps has no plans to field an esports team. And its reasons for abstaining are, at least in part, ideological.

Why These Infantry Marines Have a New Obsession with Chess

It's kind of like Fight Club. Except it's mental, not physical, and Marines can't stop talking about it.

Mass casualty drill aboard the USS Peleliu.

These Speedy New Navy Medical Ships Are Designed with the Pacific in Mind

Tucked inside the recently passed DoD budget for 2023 is funding for a new kind of Navy medical ship – one built to operate...

Military News

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Most Popular Military News

Rep. Michael Lawler, R-N.Y., left, confronts House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

Federal Government Shutdown Grinds into a Second Week as Tempers Flare at the Capitol

As the federal government shutdown enters a second week, there’s no discernible endgame in sight.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) questions U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi as she testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Trump Targets Blumenthal, Calling for Investigation into Senator's Vietnam Service Claims

President Donald Trump is targeting U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal again after Connecticut’s senior U.S. senator grilled U.S...

Pvt. Paul Douglas, age 50, performs a rifle inspection with his drill instructor aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot S.C., 1942. Douglas, at age 50 was the oldest recruit in the history of Parris Island, and went on to become a purple heart recipient and Chicago senator (DVIDS).

At 50, He Survived Marine Boot Camp — Then Fought at Peleliu and Okinawa

When 50-year-old Paul Douglas showed up at Marine Corps boot camp in 1942, the white-haired economics professor looked more...

Pack and transport platoon of the Russian army. Southern Military District. Ministry of Defense of Russia (Wikimedia Commons).

Ukrainian Drones Attack Russian Cavalry Troops in Rare 21st-Century Encounter

A short video circulating online this month appears to show a Russian mounted patrol being struck by a Ukrainian drone near...

When The Government Can Afford Everything Except The Essentials

Every shutdown forces the government to decide what counts as “essential.” Air traffic controllers and TSA agents fall into...

Troops Will Miss Paychecks Next Week Without Action on the Government Shutdown

The federal government shutdown is raising anxiety levels among service members and their families, because those in uniform...

Latest Military Videos

VIDEO: How a Former Waffen-SS Officer Became an American War Hero Buried at Arlington National Cemetery

A headstone in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery marks the remains of the only known former Waffen-SS member...

'What Kind of Truce Is This?' Dozens of Palestinians Killed in New Israeli Attacks on Gaza

Israel’s military said Wednesday that the ceasefire was back on in Gaza after it carried out heavy airstrikes overnight...

Russia Targets Kyiv with Drones, Killing 3 and Wounding 29

Russia attacked Ukraine with 101 drones over Saturday night into Sunday, according to Ukraine’s air force, of which 90...

Destruction in Gaza Visible from Southern Israel

From multiple vantage points, debris piles are visible as a result of bombing in Gaza. (AP) Oct. 24

Investigations and Features

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...

Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kate, cradle their daughter

Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight

A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize...

Army News

The US Draws Down Troops on NATO's Eastern Flank as Europe Frets About a Security Vacuum

The United States has informed NATO allies that it will reduce its troop presence along Europe’s eastern border with Ukraine.

Florencio Davila. His family made sure that his final wish was honored with the help of the local community. (Submitted photo)

Fort Hood Steps In After Shutdown Halts WWII Veteran’s Military Funeral

Florencio Davila, a World War II veteran, died recently at age 99. His dying wish was to be buried with full military honors...

Navy News

Marine Corporal Robert Maurer with 3/25, provides security during multi-domain training in Trinidad and Tobago during TRADEWINDS 2025 (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Astia LeBron)

Marines in the Caribbean: Poised for Any Potential Conflict

U.S. Marines currently deployed to the Caribbean are well poised for any potential conflict in the U.S. Southern Command Area...

White House Urged Firing Live Bombs, Not Dummies, for Trump’s Visit to Navy Celebration

The White House pressed Navy officials to launch 2,000-pound live bombs instead of dummy explosives during a recent military...

Air Force News

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington.

Former US Airman Threatened to Assassinate Trump Over LGBTQ+ Policies, Feds Say

Joshua Levi Young, 21, of Ishpeming, is accused of issuing several threats since January that called for the execution of...

Shield AI's newly unveiled X-BAT autonomous fighter jets. The VTOL drones are designed to fly combat missions alongside crewed aircraft as part of the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. (Shield AI)

Shield AI Unveils Fully Autonomous VTOL Fighter Jet

A San Diego defense technology company unveiled an artificial intelligence-piloted fighter jet Tuesday that can take off...

Space Force News

U.S. Air Force U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rachel Harmon and Master Sgt. Tom Anderson, weapons loaders assigned to the 174th Attack Wing, checks an inert GBU 12 laser guided missile on an MQ-9 Reaper at Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base in Springfield, Ohio.

Two Space Force Units Bring the 'Invisible Front Line' to Ohio

A ceremonial ribbon-cutting is planned for Friday for the Space Intelligence Production Cell at the Springfield-Beckley Air...

A painting of a Defense Support Program satellite from the Air Force Art collection. DSP provides a variety of national security capabilities. Its flagship mission of launch detection was made famous during the Cold War. (U.S. Air Force image)

Clearing The Orbits: Space Force Partnerships In Orbital Cleanup

The growing congestion of Earth orbit has raised risks to satellites, space stations, and long-term space sustainability. The...

Marine Corps News

Marine Corps veteran Jose Pequeno after receiving his new dress blues. (Photo courtesy of Fox 13 Tampa)

Marine Veteran Injured in Combat Receives Heartfelt Surprise

Jose Pequeno, who suffered devastating injuries during his deployment to Iraq, was sad to discover his Marine Corps dress...

Marine Cpl. Rick Colts and his military working dog Torry pause during a patrol in Afghanistan in 2011. Torry, a German shepherd, worked with II Marine Expeditionary Force detecting IEDs in Helmand Province. (Rick Colts)

K9 Hero: Marine Survives Afghanistan IED After Dog’s Ultimate Sacrifice

Rick Colts knew something was wrong the moment his military working dog changed his search pattern. It was June 1, 2011, the...

Coast Guard News

Signage showing the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is accepted is displayed at Wild Onion Market, Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

'SNAP Is Everything': Military Families, Vets Prepare for Empty Fridges

A disabled Navy veteran tells Military.com that his family will go hungry as SNAP benefits are slated to expire Nov. 1 due to...

Coast Guardsmen stand watch behind a barrier at Coast Guard Base Alameda.

Shots Fired, Driver Hurt and Held After Truck Rams Into Coast Guard Base Alameda

No Coast Guard personnel were hurt.