Fire walking and snake eating: Indonesian troops impress Mattis

What could be more impressive than walking on fire and breaking bricks with your head?

Eating snakes, apparently.

At least that’s how Indonesian special forces soldiers tried to impress Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in Jakarta Wednesday, according to the Washington Post. The soldiers performed at an event at the armed forces headquarters for Mattis, who was in town as a part of a two-day visit to the country to express closer military ties.

As part of their theatrical presentation, a group of soldiers used knives to cut off the heads of King Cobra and other snakes and drank their blood. One soldier ― perhaps he misplaced his knife ― used his teeth to kill a snake and then drank the blood of another snake.

The Post reports that Mattis “clapped and grinned widely at the spectacle.”

Later in the day, Mattis continued his Asia trip, visiting officials in Vietnam, where journalists report plenty of talks, but no snakes.

In Other News

US Naval Community College launches health science program

The Navy’s community college is partnering with Western Governors University to provide sailors with an associate degree in health science.

January 6 convict asks for light sentence in order to remain in Navy

An active-duty service member convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack urged a judge for a light sentence in order to remain in the Navy.

Agreement helps military spouses keep federal jobs in overseas moves

Here's how an agreement between the Pentagon and State Department will help federally employed military spouses move their jobs overseas in a PCS.

Navy ship underway for Gaza pier mission suffers fire, returns to US

The cargo ship 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo suffered a fire in its engine room Thursday, forcing it to return to Florida, the Navy said.

VA to largely end animal testing on dogs, cats within two years

The Department of Veterans Affairs is slated to largely end testing on dogs, cats and nonhuman primates within the next two years.

Load More