Ruck-Up

05/29/2026

May become the first US Military Saint.

Father Emil Kapaun’s capture and death during the Korean War earned him the Medal of Honor and a lasting reputation among generations of soldiers

05/29/2026

05/17/2026

05/17/2026

FREEDOM 250 HIGHLIGHTS FRIEDRICH WILHELM VON STEUBEN 🇺🇸🤍🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸💙 Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben was a Prussian-born military officer who had shown great promise in the well-disciplined Prussian Army. He received the honorary title of Baron, while serving as a court chamberlain for a German prince who ruled the Hohenzollern castle. While seeking new military employment, he had a chance encounter with an agent for Benjamin Franklin, who was in Paris at the time gathering support for the American Colonies. Von Steuben travelled to Paris and met with Franklin, who was impressed with Von Steuben’s military training, experience, and personality, and sent a glowing recommendation to General George Washington on his behalf.

The Continental Army rode out the winter of 1777-78 at Valley Forge, where Von Steuben drilled into the soldiers the precision, discipline, toughness and professionalism that the Prussian Army was so renowned for. Under Von Steuben’s training, the Continental Army had become a group of extremely proficient, highly motivated warriors ready to meet the British on equal terms. During this time, he authored the “Blue Book” of detailed regulations for the Army that would serve as its regulation's manual through the War of 1812. Some of the regulations detailed in this manual are still in use today.

05/16/2026

05/15/2026

04/29/2026

first time go 🕺

04/29/2026

Underway, shift colors. 🇺🇸

has returned to Naval Station Norfolk after her first underway: Sea Trials! This milestone was the result of a ship-wide effort, requiring precision and grit on the deck plates.

IKE’s crew couldn’t be more excited to rejoin the fleet as the