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

Ailing George H.W. Bush Did a Last 'CAVU' Favor for Pence's Marine Son

The former president wrote a congratulatory note to the Marine son of Vice President Mike Pence.

White House Proposes Huge Increase in War Funding

The White House on Monday proposed a massive increase in the fiscal 2020 budget for Overseas Contingency Operations.

Trump Backs 'Red Flag' Laws That Could Impact Veteran Gun Ownership

President Donald Trump said Monday that he supported the so-called "red flag" laws on gun sales and ownership.

Former SecDef Weighs in on Syria, Turkey and Mattis' Departure

Former Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is out with a book on the inner workings of the Pentagon.

US Troops Staying Behind In Syria Could Face Threats From Assad Regime

U.S. troops guarding oil wells in Syria could face a threat from the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Up to 600 Troops Now Set to Remain in Syria Indefinitely, Top General Says

The fight against ISIS continues.

FBI Has 'Control' Over a Dozen Saudi Acquaintances of Pensacola Shooter

About a "dozen or so" Saudi nationals are under the control of the FBI amid an ongoing investigation, DefSec Esper said.

Iran Has Backed Off of Challenging US Since Soleimani Killing, General Says

Tensions between Iran and the U.S. military have eased since the airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani.

Trump Gave Military a Standing Order to Target and Kill Soleimani: Pentagon Official

The U.S. military had standing approval from President Donald Trump to take out Qasem Soleimani at will.

Lightning Strike Injures 2 National Guard Members in DC

The two are part of the South Carolina National Guard contingent sent to help control the protests.

(Courtesy of the Ghost Army Legacy Project)

'Combat Con Artists' of World War II Who Hoodwinked Nazis Get Long Overdue Top Honor from Congress

From D-Day to the crossing of the Rhine, the Army's top-secret 23rd Headquarters Special Troops unit used inflatable tanks...

Iran Escalates Threats as Anniversary of Soleimani Strike Nears

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said Trump had committed an "unforgivable crime" in ordering the killing of Soleimani.

In a Biden Administration, Changes for the Military Could Start on Day One

Biden will have the authority to reverse a string of military and national security policies put in place by President Trump.

After Complaints, White House Lowers Flags to Honor Slain Capitol Police Officer

The White House reversed course Sunday, ordering flags over the White House and federal buildings to be flown at half-staff...

US COVID-19 Death Toll on Track to Surpass WWII Military Casualties

The nation is on track this week to hit 25 million coronavirus cases reported and more than 400,000 deaths.

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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

'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...

Mothers and Wives of Fallen Ukrainian Soldiers Plant Trees to Remember Their Sacrifice

Wives and mothers of Ukrainian soldiers who died in the fight against Russia planted trees in a public park...

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

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...

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

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...

A GOES-19 NOAA satellite image taken October 28, 2025, shows Hurricane Melissa’s eye and spiral bands covering the Caribbean. (NOAA/NESDIS/STAR)

Navy Confirms Evacuations As Hurricane Melissa Roared Toward The Caribbean

The Navy has evacuated 864 family members, civilian employees, and contractors from Naval Station Guantánamo Bay as Hurricane...

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

Rethinking Marine Corps Camo (photo by Military.com)

Is it Time for the Marines to Ditch the Digi's?

Author Robert Billard argues that the Marine Corps should replace its MARPAT digital camouflage with a single-color coyote...

Racers compete in the 50th Marine Corps Marathon on October 26, 2025 (Eric Kayne, Stars & Stripes).

50th Marine Corps Marathon: New Record Set, Marine Major Claims Third Win

The 50th running of the Marine Corps Marathon wrapped up with a record performance by the women's winner, as well as a third...

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.