Rebel Monster: The Ironclad CSS Virginia

Rebuilt from the scuttled hull of the USS Merrimack, the Confederate ironclad CSS Virginia steamed into Hampton Roads and changed naval warfare forever. Tom Laemlein details how this armored Civil War ram sank the USS Cumberland, destroyed the USS Congress, and spread panic through Washington D.C...

By Tom Laemlein •

Sailors Shape the Future of Navy Uniforms

Scientists, designers, engineers and textile experts from the Navy Exchange Service Command’s Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility worked with nearly 80 female Sailors during a five-day fit evaluation Aug 17-21, 2026, onboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story and at NEX No...

By Eric G •

Service Khaki Slacks with Back Pockets Now Available to Female Sailors

Based on Sailor feedback, female Sailors can now purchase newly designed Service Khaki slacks with back pockets and modern fit sizing. Based on Sailor feedback, female Sailors can now purchase newly designed Service Khaki slacks with back pockets and modern fit sizing. Slacks will be available fo...

By Eric G •

Curtiss SB2C Helldiver — The Big-Tailed Beast

In 1937, the Curtiss SBC Helldiver entered service, but even at that point, the carrier-based two-seat scout/dive bomber was on the verge of being obsolete. Interestingly, it was also the second aircraft produced by Curtiss-Wright to earn the designation “Helldiver” after the United States Ma...

By Peter Suciu •

USS Hornet (CV-12): Carrier that Stung Japan

The USS Hornet (CV-12) stands as one of the most storied aircraft carriers in United States naval history, playing a decisive role in World War II as part of the Essex-class fleet. From its origins as a replacement for the lost USS Hornet (CV-8) to its participa...

By Peter Suciu •

Visiting a Collection of 1911s

David Freeman Most, if not all, gunwriters are also collectors. We almost have to be in order to be knowledgeable enough to write intelligently for our target audience. We have the luxury of being able to buy guns at reduced prices, which makes it tempting to acquire and keep guns we really like....