← Military & Defence

Military Award Ceremonies

Images depict various military units during award ceremonies, recognizing excellence and achievements with a formal atmosphere and military uniforms.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 1569th Medium Truck Company stand in formation at parade rest during a change of responsibility ceremony at The Armed Forces Reserve Center, New Windsor, N.Y. July 16, 2022. The Change of Responsibility Ceremony is a simple yet traditional event, rich with symbolism. The first sergeant, who is the senior enlisted leader of the unit, is the custodian of the colors.

Recruits with Papa Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, complete swim qualifications aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. May 23, 2022.To pass swim qualification, recruits must complete a 25 meter swim, high dive, tread water, pack swim, and shed gear each with certain time constraints. Recruits who are unable to complete the qualifications are marked as Iron Ducks and receive remedial swim lessons.

United States military march, with troops in camouflage attire.; Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

030408-F-1443F-003. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA) Scene Major Command Shown: USAFE

041212-F-6565E-001. Base: Hermantown State: Minnesota (MN) Country: United States Of America (USA)

France, Brittany, Coetquidan, Guer on 2021-09-23. Report on the training of the Inter-Arms Military School in Saint-Cyr Coetquidan in Morbihan. The EMIA recruits its students from among active non-commissioned officers and non-commissioned soldiers selected by competition. The cadets follow a two-year training course. At the end of the first year, they are appointed to the rank of second lieutenant, then lieutenant at the end of the second year. Photograph by Martin Bertrand. France, Bretagne, Coetquidan, Guer le 2021-09-23. Reportage sur la formation de l' Ecole militaire interarmes à Saint-Cyr Coetquidan dans le Morbihan. L'EMIA recrute ses eleves parmi les sous-officiers d'active et les militaires du rang selectionnes par concours. Les eleves-officiers suivent une formation de deux ans. A l'issue de la première annee, ils sont nommés au grade de sous-lieutenant, puis de lieutenant a la fin de la seconde annee. Photographie de Martin Bertrand.

Norwegian Army Sgt. Buene, Level One Instructor, instructs Norwegian Army soldiers and Marines during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) belt advancement during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) belt advancement in Setermoen, Norway March 22, 2023. martial arts instructors are responsible for training, mentoring, and leading students through a challenging curriculum that includes moral development, hand-to-hand combat, physical and mental fitness.

U.S. Army CW5 Timothy Shrewsbury gets promoted from chief warrant officer 4 to chief warrant officer 5 on Fort Drum, NY Jun 24, 2022. The U.S. Army rank of chief warrant officer 5 is called a "unicorn" rank because it is rarely seen in the Army.

U.S. Marines with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, pose for a photo with a belt and sword as trophies from the June Warrior Games on MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California, June 24, 2022. The Warrior Games are a monthly competition hosted in an effort to promote camaraderie within the H&HS family.

Female U.S. military personnel take part in a discussion in preparation for deployment to Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown

Hawaii Army National Guard Col. Barbara P. Tucker, commander of the 103rd Troop Command gives a speech during the 117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment deployment ceremony at Pearl City, Hawaii, Aug. 7, 2022. The Soldiers were supported by friends, family, and fellow service members who attended the ceremony.

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Austin Lorah, the officer selection officer with Officer Selection Station Boston, delivers a teamwork talk to the Harvard University field hockey team at a team and leadership seminar held by the Marines with Officer Selection Station Boston in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Sept. 17, 2022. Lorah discussed the importance of working as a team.

Members of the Maryland Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion tally up the scores of the schools' JROTC cadets during the Maryland Army National Guard sponsored 1st Annual Raiders Challenge at Fairmont Heights High School in Landover, Maryland, on April 2, 2022. The cadets conducted an Army Physical Fitness Test and competed in other events that tested their strength and ability to work as a team.

220705-N-ZW825-0074 GREAT LAKES, Ill. (July 5, 2022) Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) New Student Indoctrination (NSI) midshipman candidates march in ranks at Recruit Training Command (RTC), July 5. Upon completion of NSI, the candidates will start their freshman year of the NROTC program at colleges and universities nationwide this fall. NSI is an indoctrination program hosted at RTC, and provides midshipmen with a common military training orientation. NSI provides basic training in five warfighting fundamentals - firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding and small arms handling and marksmanship - to begin creating basically trained and smartly disciplined future Navy and Marine Corps officers. NROTC is overseen by Commander, Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), Rear Adm. Jennifer S. Couture, which supports naval accessions training for 98 percent of the Navys new officers and enlisted Sailors.

U.S. Army Spc. Ashton Etheredge, a unmanned aircraft systems maintainer assigned to the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, speaks to students about the MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system on Fort Riley, Kansas, Oct. 18, 2022. The Manhattan Star Academy students visited to learn how STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) activities and careers relate to the modern military.

U.S. Marines with 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, 2d Marine Division, grapple during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) belt advancement in Setermoen, Norway March 23, 2023. martial arts instructors are responsible for training, mentoring, and leading students through a challenging curriculum that includes moral development, hand-to-hand combat, physical and mental fitness.

Airmen from the 127th Maintenance Group inspect the aircraft parking ramps and taxiways during the August Drill at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. Foreign Object Debris, or FOD, consist of items that do not belong where aircraft exist which could pose a threat to aircraft maintenance. Routine inspection of surfaces, and of people and vehicles entering aircraft taxi and parking areas, is required to prevent FOD from posing a threat.

071122-A-FJ567-1225Staff Sgt. Ashely Froberg, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) specialist assigned to 21st CBRN Company, conducts a uniform inspection during the drill and ceremony portion of the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command's Best Squad and Best Warrior Competition July 11 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Froberg served as squad leader for the Fort Hood, Texas-based 48th Chemical Brigade, which ultimately took home top honors as the 20th CBRNE Command's 2022 Best Squad.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Connor Schall and Staff. Sgt. Dylan Francis, assigned to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), get ready for an ugly Christmas sweater jump on Aviano Air Base, Italy, Dec. 8, 2022. The 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion organized the Ugly Holiday Sweater jump this week to promote holiday spirit. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of projecting ready forces anywhere in the U.S. European, Africa or Central Commands' areas of responsibility.

220826-N-ZS023-1008 SAN DIEGO (Aug 26, 2022) Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26) Blue and Gold crew sailors stand in formation during an exchange of command ceremony on the ships flight deck. LCS are fast, agile, mission-focused platforms designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.

040513-F-6655M-267. Base: Camp Victory, Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Service members and families walk inside the protestant chapel after the promotion of U.S. Navy Capt. James M. Peugh, the command chaplain with Marine Corps Installations East (MCIEAST)-Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune, on MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 1, 2022. The chaplain develops personnel and families of the Camp Lejeune community for spiritual and personal readiness through ministries or pastoral.

220615-N-ID081-1001 WASHINGTON (June 15, 2022) Right to left, Musician 1st Class Danny Stewart, Musician 1st Class Francis Dubois, Musician 1st Class Seth Johnson, Senior Chief Musician Dawn Henry, Musician 1st Class David Kapral, and Chief Musician Joe Friedman take the oath of enlistment during a reenlistment ceremony at U.S. Navy Band. The ceremony was led by Captain Ken Collins, left, commanding officer of Navy Band.

000302-F-5772H-504. Subject Operation/Series: ATLAS RESPONSE Base: Mcguire Air Force Base State: New Jersey (NJ) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Life Skills Program Trainer Sarhi Wiggins with Marine Corps Community Services gives a class to recruits of Romeo Company on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island S.C., Sep. 27, 2022. Romeo Company, formerly known as Special Training Company, is a rehabilitation, recovery, and reconditioning company with the mission of getting recruits back to the fight.

Readiness Challenge VIII participants from U.S. Air Force's in Europe's 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, take part in the fiberglass panels event April 19, 2022, at the Silver Flag Exercise Site, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The Department of the Air Force CE event is hosted by the Air Force Civil Engineer Center. After a 20+ year hiatus, the challenge, a premier event for DAF civil engineers, is back. This year's Readiness Challenge is the initial operating capability event before the challenge reaches full operational capability in April 2023. Eight teams representing major commands and U.S. Space Force faced off in about 20 events showing a wide variety of CE capabilities from emergency airfield lighting and water purification to building a guard shack from the ground up and firefighting and EOD operations.

1st Lt. Aaron Arturi, 1-506th infantry regiment 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Lt. John Ryan 1-75th cavalry regiment 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Team 16, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), complete the final buddy run of the Best Ranger Competition April 10th, 2022. Fort Benning GA. Best Ranger teams, made up of two individual, from the across the United States Army will travel to Fort Benning Georgia to compete in the Best Ranger Competition. This competition was created to identify the best Ranger team from within the U.S. Military.

Soldiers of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, and Members of the Northern Army, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) hold a ceremony to start Yama Sakura 83, Dec 4th, 2022. The goal of the exercise is to strengthen multi-domain and cross-domain interoperability and readiness between the U.S.-Japan alliance to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division are awarded the Commander's Cup after placing first during Ivy Week, May 25, at Fort Carson, Colorado. Ivy Week was a week-long event in which units across the installation competed against each other to determine who was the best unit.

030923-F-7906C-003. Base: Lackland Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AETC

U.S. Marines with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines conduct a Combat Marksmanship Program range at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 8, 2022. This training sharpened Marines critical combat arms skills by executing transition drills and increasing their proficiency in switching between primary and secondary weapons. 3/3 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

U.S. Marines with 3rd Landing Support Battalion, Navy Sailors and Army Soldiers and members of the Philippine Army, stretch before physical training in preparation for Balikatan 23 at Camp Agnew, Casigueran, Philippines on April 3, 2023. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences.

GREAT LAKES, Ill. (Oct. 06, 2022) Vice Admiral Yancy B. Lindsey, commander, Navy Installations Command, center, is escorted through USS Chief recruit fire fighter trainer during a visit to Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, Illinois, Oct. 07, 2022. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy's only boot camp.

Pilots watch a recording of the day's activities at a debriefing during exercise Cope Thunder. Exact Date Shot Unknown. Subject Operation/Series: COPE THUNDER Base: Clark Air Base State: Luzon Country: Philippines (PHL)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Ryan P. Allen, Commanding Officer, Marine Air Control Group 48, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, discusses the strategic importance of training in an arctic environment with Marines with Marine Air Control Squadron (MACS) 24 at Fort Greely, Alaska, Feb. 10, 2024, in preparation for exercise ARCTIC EDGE 2024 (AE24). Joint training opportunities like ARCTIC EDGE 24 allow the Marines to cultivate proficiency and lethality, while developing the skills necessary to operate in the arctic environment, said Allen. AE24 is a U.S. Northern Command-led homeland defense exercise demonstrating the U.S. Military's capabilities in extreme cold weather, joint force readiness, and U.S. military commitment to mutual strategic security. Marine Corps

U.S. Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) midshipmen, receive a brief at the Marine Corps Helicopter Rope Suspension Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 19, 2022. The NROTC midshipmen, part of the first class marine option, visit different Marine bases and units over a six-week period for training.

U.S. Navy HM3 Brett Toth, a hospital corpsman with Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team Company, Europe, (FASTEUR), and native of Pennsylvania, gives instruction on how to apply a bandage to the chest during Tactical Combat Casualty Care with Moldovan police and military forces in Chișinău, Moldova, January 18, 2024. Task Force 61/2.3 (Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) Europe) provides capabilities such as rapid response expeditionary anti-terrorism and security operations in support of Commanders, United States European Command (COMESEUCOM) and as directed by Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet (C6F) in order to protect vital naval and national assets.

Airmen conduct a pre-deployment exercise, at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Sept. 26, 2022. Holloman supports national security objectives by deploying worldwide to support peacetime and wartime contingencies.

DA-SC-89-06784. Base: Rock Island Arsenal State: Illinois (IL) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Army Spc. John Winters, 253rd Transportation Company, 119th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 42nd Regional Support Group, instructs Youth ChalleNGe cadets at the National Guard Training Center, Sea Girt, New Jersey, Aug. 5, 2021. Thirty-two New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were activated on state active duty orders to assist Youth ChalleNGe Academy Class 54.

Soldiers of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, and Members of the Northern Army, Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) hold a ceremony to start Yama Sakura 83, Dec 4th, 2022. The goal of the exercise is to strengthen multi-domain and cross-domain interoperability and readiness between the U.S.-Japan alliance to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

U.S. Army Pacific Soldiers attends the Spiritual Readiness Initiative training May 2 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The SRI was introduced while Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Solhjem, U.S. Army chief of chaplains, and Sgt. Maj. Ralph Martinez, U.S. Army Chaplain Corps regimental sergeant major, conducted their battlefield circulation meetings with Commanders, spouses and UMTs.

000511-F-4884R-007. Subject Operation/Series: COMBINED ENDEAVOR 2000 Base: Baumholder Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

041130-F-2922M-001. Base: Truax Field State: Wisconsin (WI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

140902-N-EH218-028OKINAWA, Japan (Sep. 2, 2014) Col. Romin Dasmalchi, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st. MEU), addresses Marines assigned to the 31st MEU at an all-hands call aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). Peleliu is on its final scheduled deployment to the western Pacific region in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region before decommissioning early next year.

The All American Chorus performs the Star-Spangled Banner at Segra Stadium in Fayetteville, NC, April 12, 2022. Paratroopers from Fort Bragg attended the first home game of the season for the Woodpeckers and showed their support for the hometown team.

Col. Jeremy Ford, 152nd Airlift Wing commander, completes his "fini flight" or final flight at the Nevada Air National Guard base in Reno, Nev. July 26, 2022. The fini flight is an Air Force tradition which marks a pilot's departure from a unit, or last time they fly an aircraft, which is often followed by a champagne-and-water shower following landing

Members of the U.S. Civil Air Patrol salute a commemorative wreath during a Memorial Day ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 27, 2022. A tradition of Memorial Day ceremonies is to pay respects to the honored dead by offering red, white and blue flowers to symbolize remembrance, purity and eternity.

Staff Sgt. Marcos De Jesus, a native of Ciales, Puerto Rico, and who serves at the 3rd Battalion, 338th Training Support Battalion, 205th Infantry Brigade, First Army Division East, based at Camp Atterbury, Ind., demonstrates the Soldiers of the 1161st Transportation Company, from the Washington Army National Guard how to employ a single wing rear naked choke to their opponents during an Army combatives training on March 23. The deploying units training at Atterbury are required to complete a basic combatives course prior to their overseas deployment.

4th Battalion recruits practice the manual of arms under the supervision of a drill instructor. The 4th Battalion is the only all female unit in the Marine Corps. Base: MC Recruit Depot, Paris Island State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marine Corps drill instructors with Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot Parris Island, participate in a question and answer session with Poolees during Recruiting Station Harrisburgs Annual Pool Function with poolees from RS Harrisburg, at Fort Indiantown Gap, Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Jun. 4, 2022. The purpose of this training was to prepare poolees for recruit training, build morale, and answer any questions poolees may have about the Marine Corps.

US Air Force AIRMAN First Class Ross Wolf and US Air Force STAFF Sergeant Lori Ehlo, from the 12th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, raise the first squadron flag to be flown at Exercise NORTHERN WATCH 2001. Subject Operation/Series: NORTHERN WATCH 2001 Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jordyn Rayot, Airman 1st Class Cole Whitmore and Airman 1st Class Jason Wilson, weapons loaders assigned to the 180th Fighter Wing, remove munitions from an F-16 Fighting Falcon during a training exercise at the 180FW in Swanton, Ohio, Aug. 2, 2022. The 180FW is the only F-16 fighter wing in the state of Ohio, whose mission is to provide for America; protection of the homeland, effective combat power and defense support to civil authorities, while developing Airmen, supporting their families and serving in our community.

010517-F-2022C-005. Subject Operation/Series: TANDEM THRUST 01 Base: USS Essex (LHD 2) Country: Australia (AUS)

US Army (USA) Major (MAJ) Ed McKay, Operations Officer, 53rd Transportation Battalion, uses a sand table display to brief joint service troops prior to deployment of vehicles during Exercise TURBO PATRIOT, a Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) Exercise, at Camp Pendleton, California (CA). Subject Operation/Series: TRUBO PATRIOT Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

US Air Force General Ralph E. Eberhart (Left shaking hands), the Commander for the North American Defense Command, is greeted by members of the 5th Space Surveillance Squadron upon his arrival to Royal Air Force Base Feltwell, Unithed Kingdom. Base: Raf Lakenheath State: East Anglia Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)

OKINAWA, Japan (June 9, 2022) U.S. Sailors assigned to Commander, Fleet Activities Okinawa and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors assigned to Sub Area Activity Okinawa play traditional Japanese games June 9 at Camp Shields in Okinawa, Japan as part of a Bi-lateral Leadership Course. The course was designed to foster relationships and understanding between U.S. Navy and their host nation counterparts. CFAO maintains and operates facilities to support the U.S. Navys naval and aviation assets in the Indo-Pacific region.

Soldiers from 4th Bn., 22nd Inf., 25th Inf. Div. (Light), stand for a prayer while attending a Mass offered by Chaplain (CAPT.) K.E. Kiefer, U.S. Navy, at a Thai army camp during the combined Thai/U.S. exercise Cobra Gold '90. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD '90 Base: Chon Buri Country: Thailand (THA)

CARTAGENA, Colombia (Nov. 18, 2022)Hospitalman Anthony Tyler, from Clearwater, Florida, assigned to the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), carries chairs as the Continuing Promise medical site in Cartagena closes down, Nov. 18, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

Soldiers from 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, talk to high school students during a career panel at Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA, May 17, 2022. Soldiers from a variety of ranks and military occupation specialties sat on the panel and answered students' questions about the Army.

U.S. Marines with Landing Support Equipment Company, 1st Landing Support Battalion (LSB), Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, pose for a group photo at the Mesquite Regional Landfill Railyard in Glamis, California, Aug. 30, 2022. 1st LSB and 2nd Transportation Battalion led railhead operations from August 26 to September 1, 2022, in order to deliver logistical support for Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course 1-23 being conducted at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Yuma, Arizona.

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Aircraft Group 24 receive a brief during the MAG-24 Commanding Officers Flight Line Run, Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 27, 2022. The purpose of the run was to enhance unit morale, increase physical and mental fitness, and foster camaraderie within the unit.

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (Oct. 21, 2022) Sailors, assigned to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, pose for a group photo of the Chiefs Mess during a Chief Pinning ceremony at NSA Souda Bay on Oct. 21, 2022. NSA Souda Bay is an operational ashore installation which enables and supports U.S., Allied, Coalition, and Partner nation forces to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

Military service members from Norway, Germany, Finland, Great Britain and the United States attend religious service at Bardufoss, Norway, Feb. 29, 2024. Chaplains from multiple NATO nations gathered to become acquainted with each other, provide religious service together and to pray for the safety of those participating in exercise Nordic Response 24. Nordic Response 24 is a Norwegian national readiness and defense exercise designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in a challenging arctic environment. Marine Corps

U.S. Marines with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, stand at attention during a relief and appointment ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 24, 2022. During the ceremony, Sgt. Maj. Joseph Sorgie relinquished his duties as battalion sergeant major of 2nd Maintenance Battalion to Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Carranza.

230324-N-LN782-1880 (Mar. 24, 2023) U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command's Pass in Review in Great Lakes, Illinois, Mar. 24, 2023. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy's only boot camp

On October 4, 2022, the physical preparation of the soldiers of the 1st Signal Brigade was put to the test with an Army Combat Fitness Test, confirming once again that such testing is necessary and that the Mercury team goes to great lengths to keep its members in top shape. (Photo by Sgt. Alex Estrada/1st Signal Brigade Public Affairs Office)

PEARL HARBOR (April 14, 2014) Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens visits with Sailors at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during an E6 and below all-hands call as part of a two-week fleet engagement to the western Pacific.

U.S. Marines from various infantry units across the Marine Corps were allotted the opportunity to tour the Pentagon after previously winning the Super Squad competition, in Arlington, Virginia, Aug. 11, 2022. The Super Squad competition tested marksmanship and tactical proficiency during a series of drills to include live-fire evaluation during day and night attacks, employment of weapon systems, ambushes and defense, land navigation and patrolling.

Chief Master Sgt. Todd Houchens is sprayed with a fire hose and doused with champagne after completing his final flight "Fini-Flight" in the C-130 Hercules July 21, 2022 at Nevada Air National Guard Base in Reno, Nev. It's tradition to spray the aircrew with fire hoses and champagne upon arriving to base from their Fini-Flight in the aircraft. Houchens is set to retire later this year.

Soldiers from 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) discuss army life and answer questions with high school students from Carentan, France at the Hopkinsville History Museum, February 9, 2024. The French students visited Fort Campbell to learn more about the shared history of their town and the 101st Airborne Division that liberated Carentan during WWII. This year will mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the liberation of Carentan. This visit is an illustration of the deep and generational gratitude that has been forged between Carentan and the division that liberated their city in 1944. The city and the division have visited one another on multiple occasions with the division making an annual trip each year on the anniversary of D-Day.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jordan Smith, 621st Air Control Squadron weapons director, left, and Airman 1st Class Colin Rumping, 621st ACS weapons director, receive instructions on a combatives move from Staff Sgt. Kyle Virgillio, 5th Combat Communications Support Squadron master combatives instructor during a combatives instructor certification course at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Feb. 23, 2024. Having the ability to become certified in combatives gives Airmen from the 51st Fighter Wing a more accessible way to become certified and grow as multi-capable Airmen. The 621st ACS impacts the Fight Tonight mission by supporting training and contingency operations of the 51st FW, providing lethal tactical battle management for the Air Component Commander during armistice and war. Air Force

Soldiers of the 928th Sapper Company, 769th Engineer Battalion stand in front of the second-grade class at Napoleonville Primary on Sept. 18, 2008, in Napoleonville, La. The students invited the Soldiers to their school to thank them for their efforts to bring normalcy to the community after the hurricanes.

220907-N-LY580-1008 ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. (Sept. 7, 2022) U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Dylan Rhodes, career counselor, Recruiting Station Montgomery, right, inspects the uniform of Benjamin Russell High School Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps Cadet Natalie Brown.

041207-M-0053C-012. Base: Mcbh, Kaneohe Bay State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON - (Oct. 21, 2022) Being recognized as a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy is arguably one of the greatest honors in military service. Holding to this Naval tradition, Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) San Antonio pinned nine Chief Petty Officers during a ceremony held at the Warrior and Family Support Center Amphitheater in presence of family, friends, and service members.

040706-M-0374B-015. Base: USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) State: Vladivostok Country: Russia (RUS) Scene Major Command Shown: 3D FSSG

040911-A-0363C-009. Base: Kandahar Airfield Country: Afghanistan (AFG)

Airmen from the Air National Guards 102nd Intelligence Wing practice yoga during their regularly scheduled drill at Otis Air National Guard Base, Mass. on October 5, 2019.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Campbell, the senior Noncommissioned Officer of the 3rd Division Sustainment Brigade, briefs competitors before an Army Combat Fitness Test as the first event of the brigades Soldier and NCO of the Quarter Board on Fort Stewart, Georgia, Feb. 10, 2023. The winners of the quarter board may advance to represent the brigade in the 3rd Infantry Division's annual Soldier and NCO of the Year Board. Competition events are a test of grit and toughness, foster readiness and esprit de corps, and are a fundamental part of the unit's method of building lethal, cohesive teams and expert leaders.

220412-N-PG340-1002 PORT HUENEME, Calif. (April 12, 2022) U.S. Navy Seabees with Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 install airfield matting during airfield damage repair training onboard Naval Base Ventura County Port Hueneme, California. NMCB-5 is homeported out of Port Hueneme. They train on high-quality construction, expeditionary logistics, and combat operations to execute construction and engineering projects for major combat operations, disaster response, and humanitarian assistance.

University of Michigan football players visit 3rd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment during a Name, Image, or Likeness (NIL) event in Grand Ledge, Michigan, July 15, 2022. The Michigan Army National Guard partnered with the University of Michigan football team under the NIL law that was passed, contracting with players who have high social media followings to help recruiters reach their target market.

220901-N-UJ449-1001 NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA, Italy (Sep. 01, 2022) Sailors participate in the Navy-wide E-6 advancement examination on Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sep. 01, 2022. NAS Sigonellas strategic location enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to deploy and respond as required, ensuring security and stability in Europe, Africa and Central Command.

U.S. Navy Quartermaster 1st Class Justin Fabricante, left, from Murrieta, California, and U.S. Navy Cmdr. Jericho Timog, from San Diego, both assigned to the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), play table tennis for a Morale, Welfare and Recreation event, on the floating accommodation facility, in Newport News, Virginia, July 6, 2022. The John C. Stennis is in Newport News Shipyard working alongside NNS, NAVSEA and contractors conducting Refueling and Complex Overhaul as part of the mission to deliver the warship back in the fight, on time and on budget, to resume its duty of defending the United States.

355th Medical Group Airmen pose for a group photo before playing capture the flag during a combat dining-out at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, Oct. 21, 2022. A combat dining-out is a military tradition consisting of a dinner with bizarre rules, water fights, informal uniforms and a variety of other events.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, attends a deployment ceremony honoring the Soldiers and families of the Pennsylvania National Guards 28th Infantry Division as they prepare for a deployment to the Middle East. Schindler was joined by other PA NG senior leaders, as well as partners from the Lithuanian army, Pennsylvanias partner in the National Guard Bureaus State Partnership Program.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, attends a deployment ceremony honoring the Soldiers and families of the Pennsylvania National Guards 28th Infantry Division as they prepare for a deployment to the Middle East. Schindler was joined by other PA NG senior leaders, as well as partners from the Lithuanian army, Pennsylvanias partner in the National Guard Bureaus State Partnership Program.

The 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Band plays the National Anthem before the start of the 4th Annual Colorado Run for the Fallen, Sept. 9, 2022, at Fort Carson, Colorado. The Colorado's Run for the Fallen is a three day, 100 mile tribute to the courageous men and women who lost their lives on 9/11 and the wars that followed.

The 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson Band plays the National Anthem before the start of the 4th Annual Colorado Run for the Fallen, Sept. 9, 2022, at Fort Carson, Colorado. The Colorado's Run for the Fallen is a three day, 100 mile tribute to the courageous men and women who lost their lives on 9/11 and the wars that followed.

Participants get ready to begin at the 10th Annual Sgt. 1st Class James E. Thode Ruck March held at Camp Williams, Utah, August 19, 2022. More than 100 service members and civilians participated in the ruck march, including spouses and families of several service members.

041208-M-1037T-004. Base: USMC Recruit Depot, San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

DF-SC-90-03926. Base: Lackland Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Tech. Sgt. Timothy Nelson, 31st Operations Medical Readiness Squadron human performance flight chief, briefs Mrs. Terrie Hecker, U.S Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa commander's spouse, Mrs. Jen Clark, 31st Fighter Wing commanders spouse, and Mrs. Charlotte Unterseher, 31 FW command chiefs spouse, at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Oct. 6, 2022. Mrs. Hecker visited the Military Family Readiness Center (MFRC) where she received briefings about child and youth programs, Wyvern University and a variety of community support programs.

Army pediatrician, Capt. Gabriel Paris, assigned to Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Young Eagle Medical Home, was recently named honor graduate at the Sabalauski Air Assault School for earning the top scores on a series of written and performative tests that measure curriculum knowledge and ability. He was among 100 Soldiers, including ROTC cadets and infantry personnel, to complete the rigorous Air Assault School, May 17. It is a 10-day course that is both physically and academically challenging, teaching Soldiers the foundations of heliborne operations to include troop transportation, sling loaded cargo and equipment transportation, medical (MEDEVAC) and casualty (CASEVAC) evacuation operations, and air assault operations. U.S. Army photo.

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