I have never served in the military, perhaps because I feared running into Beege and suffering her wrath. Never tick off a Marine. Don’t ask me how I learned that lesson.
But I have always been fascinated by military matters and foreign policy. In graduate school, my second field was security studies, and one of the theses I wrote for my Master’s was on the air war in Vietnam.
I have already recommended Sandboxx News’ Airpower with Alex Hollings, and now I want to suggest you check out Task & Purposes’ YouTube channel. Alex Hollings’ videos are perfect for those who like to geek on anything aviation-related, while Task & Purpose channel covers a wider range of topics at a slightly more basic level.
The host, Chris Cappy, is an engaging Iraq War veteran who served as an infantryman. For the life of me, I haven’t found anything that specified his rank, not that it matters.
What makes Task & Purpose’s videos special is that they are both informative and funny. Not a video goes by without a few smiles, and not a video gets played where you don’t learn something interesting about the military, weapons, technology, or conflicts around the world.
You learn how systems work, and why some that you have heard of have never reached the battlefield, such as this video on the theoretical benefits of electromagnetic armor and why it has never made it to the battlefield. If you are somebody fascinated by military technology it’s easy to get sucked into the gee whiz, and Cappy reminds us of the practicalities.
Those of us who like to geek out on the tech will find plenty of fascinating videos, and those who want to see how a smart guy who has also been on the ground in a fight sees international conflicts will both find plenty of things to interest us.
Cappy’s analyses of military-related events provide good and easily understandable explainers on what is happening, although as with any source I wouldn’t rely on him alone. With that said, he gives you an easy-to-understand precis on a subject, exposes you to the information you likely have never heard and gives you a good foundation to do a deeper dive if you so desire.
Chances are that you haven’t seen much about how different European countries are actually responding to the changed strategic circumstances on the continent, such as France’s decision to go on a war footing and the choices it has made to do so.
For instance, did you know that France is massively investing in its nuclear capability? We have all heard about Macron’s musings about European troops in Ukraine, but less about the specifics of how it is arming up. It’s less about tanks and troops than nukes.
Cappy keeps things fast-paced, and there is never any sense he is talking down to you or above your level of understanding. He brings you alone, educating you on the basics without ever being tedious.
In short, for those of us who like to geek out on things military or get a quick and dirty explanation of a topic he covers, Cappy gives you plenty to chew on.
Most importantly, his videos are fun to watch. Perhaps this is why more than a million and a half people subscribe to his channel.
Task and Purpose is more than some YouTube channels, although their website seems more tailored to military vets than the videos they produce. As a non-veteran, I am in no position to make a recommendation to those who are wondering whether the site would appeal to you.