Richard Sisk

Richard Sisk has more than 45 years of journalism experience in reporting and editing in the U.S. and abroad for United Press International, the N.Y. Daily News and now for Military.com. He has covered police beats, the courts, transportation and politics in New York City and Washington, D.C., and had numerous assignments in the Mideast, Europe and Latin America. He has covered six presidential campaigns and since 2016 has been Military.com’s Pentagon reporter. Sisk is a Vietnam veteran who served with the 2nd Battalion, Fourth Marines, in 1967-68.

Latest Articles

Bergdahl to Face Court-Martial on Charges of Desertion, Misbehavior

The high-profile case of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl will go to a general court martial on desertion and misbehavior before the enemy...

US Army Helicopter Fleets in Europe Shrink as Threats from Russia Grow

The 12th Aviation Combat Brigade in Europe has seen its Apache and Blackhawk fleets cut in half even as the Russian threat...

An elite police officer arrivesoutside the Bataclan theater in Paris, France, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2015. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)

Paris Bloodbath Came Day after Warnings of Attacks on US Troops

The carnage in Paris on Friday came a day after the Justice Department warned of the potential for random ISIS-inspired...

A $2.7 billion military aerostat broke loose from its moorings at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and drifted into Pennsylvania, causing F-16 fighter jets to be scrambled and widespread power outages before it was secured. (Associated Press photos)

Spy Blimp Lassoed in Pennsylvania after Breaking Loose in Maryland

The runaway aerostat was tracked by F-16 fighter jets and its mile-long cable took out power lines, causing widespread...

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter provides remarks at the Association of the U.S. Army sustaining member luncheon Oct. 14, 2015 in Washington. (Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)

US Faces 'Enduring Presence' in Afghanistan, 'New Reality' in Russia

The U.S. will likely keep a force in Afghanistan past President Obama's deadline for withdrawal at the end of 2016, Defense...

In this image made from video provided by Homs Media Centre smoke rises after airstrikes by military jets in Talbiseh of the Homs province, western Syria, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. (Homs Media Centre via AP)

US Tries to 'Deconflict' Russian Airstrikes in Syria

U.S. and Russian officials tried to sort out Thursday who would bomb and where in Syria but little was resolved in their...

Former CIA Director David Petraeus testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Middle East policy. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Petraeus: US Military Should Play Bigger Role Against Assad in Syria

The retired general returned to Capitol Hill to give an critique of the Obama administration’s policy in the war-torn country...

A video screen grab shows West Point cadets participating in a violent pillow fight on Aug. 20, 2015, that left 24 of 30 injured participants with concussions. (Photo YouTube via Stars & Stripes)

West Point Investigating Pillow Fight That Turned into Bloody Brawl

Thirty members of the West Point class of 2019 required medical treatment after a traditional pillow fight turned into a...

In this April 25, 2015, photo, Capt. Kristen Griest waits at Lawson Airfield for the Airborne Assault exercise to begin during U.S. Army's Ranger School at Fort Benning, Ga. (Robin Trimarchi/Ledger-Enquirer via AP)

Carter Praises First Two Women to Complete Army Ranger School

The defense secretary said the achievement makes it hard to argue that combat jobs should remain closed to female troops.

School bus picking up high school students.

Admiral Says Public Schools Nationwide Shortchanging Military Kids

The needs of military kids forced to adapt to new schools by frequent changes of station are not being met Adm. Harry Harris...

Lt. Col. Andrew Watson speaks June 11 at Fort Hood, Texas, about why they are dedicating their conference room to Cyril Richard ‘Rick’ Rescorla, a Soldier who served in the battalion during Vietnam. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf)

7th Cav Regiment Gives Tribute to Hero of Vietnam, 9/11

The Army this month honored a Vietnam hero who later died saving lives in the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11, 2001.

GAO Rejects Air Force Arguments to Retire A-10 Warthog Fleet

The Air Force has both overestimated and underestimated the savings from retiring the A-10 fleet, according to the GAO.

Obama Presents Medals of Honor to Two World War I 'Doughboys'

Pvt. Henry Johnson fought off a group of Germans with only his rifle butt and a "Bolo" knife.

Sgt. David Kappel (right), an infantry trainer assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, adjusts the rifle of an Iraqi army trainee Jan. 7 at Camp Taji, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo)

US Trainers Say Recruits Offer Hope for Beleaguered Iraqi Army

Despite losing ground in Ramadi to ISIS, US Army trainers say new Iraqi recruits can make a difference.

Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures while speaking to John Daniszewski, the Associated Press's Senior Managing Editor for International News, during an AP interview at Putin's Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia,

Western Allies Shun Russia for 70th V-E Day Anniversary

Seventy years ago, the U.S. and its allies were united with Russia against Nazi Germany, but this year the allies will...

Military News

Get the Military Insider Newsletter

Get the latest on pay updates, benefit changes and award-winning military content. Right in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice.

Thank you for subscribing!

View more newsletters on our Subscriptions page.

One last step.

Verify your free subscription by following the instructions in the email sent to:

Most Popular Military News

The entrance to F.E. Warren Air Force Base

Airman Accused of Firing AK-47 Through Apartment Wall in Latest Gun Death Near Wyoming Base

The weekend arrest and firearm death come just weeks after a Security Forces airman was killed by an M18 handgun on base...

Navy cruisers such as the USS Princeton, seen here in 2001, have reached old age and will soon vanish from the fleet after more than 140 years of service.

Navy Is Retiring the Last of its Storied Cruisers. To Veterans, They Were ‘the Pinnacle of Naval Power’

As the Navy nears its 250th anniversary in October, there's a lot of reminiscing going on about the fleet. Much of it...

F/A-18F Super Hornet prepares to make an arrested landing

Cancer in Military Pilots and Aircrews Will Be Studied Under Newly Signed Law

President Donald Trump signed a law last week ordering the review of the prevalence of cancer and deaths by cancer in fixed...

This U.S. Army command post, seen from a drone, is loaded with modern technology but uses a centuries-old structure.

AI Is About to Radically Alter Military Command Structures that Haven’t Changed Much Since Napoleon’s Army

AI agents -- autonomous, goal-oriented software powered by large language models -- can automate routine staff tasks...

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniel Thrower, Heartland of America Band hornist, plays ‘Taps’ during a remembrance ceremony at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

40 Years of Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Reunions. Now, a Final 'Taps'

In a pesky drizzle, a handful of people recently set out 400 small American flags on an empty lot in memory of the 400...

James Rudisill, a decorated Army veteran, sued the Department of Veterans Affairs for not paying him the full benefits he had earned under 2 separate GI Bill programs.

Virginia Sues Trump's VA over Education Benefits

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares on Thursday sued President Donald Trump's Department of Veterans Affairs, asking a...

Latest Military Videos

US Special Envoy Tom Barrack Holds Meetings with Lebanese Leaders in Beirut

The US special envoy to Lebanon continued his meetings with Lebanese leaders in the capital Beirut on Monday. (Aug...

Political and Military Analysis of White House Talks Between Trump, Zelenskyy and European Leaders

Military and diplomatic analysts reacted Tuesday to the White House meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr...

Trickle of Aid into Gaza Insufficient to Avert Starvation, UN Says

Members of the United Nations human rights and humanitarian affairs agencies warned on Tuesday that the trickle of aid...

Air Squats

Military.com fitness writer Stew Smith demonstrates the proper form for air squats. (Aug. 19) military.com

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

Armed Officers place handcuffs on a man northwest Washington DC

Trump's Federal Law-Enforcement Crackdown Ripples Through DC Neighborhoods

The White House has credited Trump's crackdown with hundreds of arrests, while local officials have criticized the aggressive...

Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Services in Washington DC

3 More GOP Governors Authorize Deployment of National Guard Troops as Part of Trump Show of Force

The announcements by Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana brought the number of state troops detailed to the president's...

Navy News

US Destroyers Head Toward Waters off Venezuela as Trump Aims to Pressure Drug Cartels

The USS Gravely, the USS Jason Dunham and the USS Sampson are expected to arrive soon, said an official, who was not...

Jules Witcover, Navy Vet and Reporter Known for 'Politics Today' Column, Dies at 98

Jules Witcover, who cowrote one of the nation’s leading political columns for nearly three decades, died Saturday at the age...

Air Force News

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin

Air Force Chief's Sudden Retirement Raises Question of 'Who Is Next' in Leadership Shake-Up

Policy experts told Military.com that the departure raises alarm amid other leadership changes within the Department of the...

Airman Accused of Firing AK-47 Through Apartment Wall in Latest Gun Death Near Wyoming Base

The weekend arrest and firearm death come just weeks after a Security Forces airman was killed by an M18 handgun on base...

Space Force News

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Alabama) speaks to the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber.

Alabama Congressman ‘100% Sure’ US Space Command Coming to Huntsville

U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Alabama) said he has been assured by President Donald Trump that U.S. Space Command is coming to...

U.S. Space Force Brig. Gen. Brian Denaro, newly appointed U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander, gives a speech

First Leader of Space Force Pacific Command Ends Tenure

The first leader of the U.S. Space Force’s Pacific command officially ended his tenure in Hawaii in a change of command...

Marine Corps News

US Naval Academy Gets First Marine Superintendent

Lt. Gen. Michael Borgschulte graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1991.

Marine Corps Ranks: A Complete Guide to Enlisted and Officer Ranks

Explore U.S. Marine Corps ranks from private to general. Learn rank structure, pay grades, insignia and promotion paths in...

Coast Guard News

A boat from Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound is shown in Elliott Bay, Seattle.

Family Questions Coast Guard Response to Fatal Sinking

The U.S. and Canadian coast guards responded to a sinking boat last week just off Point Roberts, a U.S.-controlled tip of a...

Some of the 32 survivors of the stricken tanker Pendleton that broke up and sank in a northeast storm near Chatham, Mass., Feb. 18, 1952, are pictured as they were rescued by a Coast Guard vessel.

How the Coast Guard Pulled off One of its Greatest Rescues During a Nor'easter

A menacing nor'easter pummeled the SS Pendleton on Feb. 18, 1952, causing the oil tanker to be broken in two a mile off the...