Military Ceremonies and Awards

Images of military personnel during awards ceremonies and official visits, showcasing uniforms, ranks, and ceremonies in various outdoor settings.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Delbert Gustave, operations staff officer assigned to the 369th Sustainment Brigade, is promoted from the rank of major by Col. Seth Morgulas, commander of the brigade, during a promotion ceremony held at North Fort Hood, Texas, Sept. 26, 2022.

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, visits Guardsmen with the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Florida National Guard, in Grafenwoehr, Germany, June 12, 2022. Germany was Hokansons second stop on a five-nation trip to recognize and strengthen National Guard relationships with European allies and partners.

Brig. Gen. Patrick R. Michaelis, Fort Jackson commanding general, and Post Command Sgt. Maj. Philson Tavernier pin the Expert Soldier Badge on Soldiers who completed all testing with a first-time GO’ during a pinning ceremony April 22, 2022. These awardees were considered the best of the best for passing all lanes earning the additional title of Straight Edge.

The 7239th Medical Support Unit uncases their unit colors during a Transfer of Authority ceremony where the 7454th Medical Operations Readiness Unit (FWD) relinquished authority of the Deployed Warrior Medical Management Center (DWMMC), at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC), to the 7239th MSU at LRMC, July 10.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Delbert Gustave, operations staff officer assigned to the 369th Sustainment Brigade, is promoted from the rank of major by Col. Seth Morgulas, commander of the brigade, during a promotion ceremony held at North Fort Hood, Texas, Sept. 26, 2022.

Maj. Gen. David Weishaar, The Adjutant General of Kansas, visited soldiers from Alpha Battery, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery Regiment out of the Kansas National Guard on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Sept. 20, 2022.

Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen return to Fairbanks, Alaska, Sept. 30 from assisting Nome community residents affected by the remnants of Typhoon Merbok. The Alaska Joint Task Force members removed more than 180,000 pounds of storm-related debris and logged more than 3,000 work hours across 32 communities. (Alaska National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

Lt. Col. Eric Megerdoomian relinquishes command of the 1-229th Attack Battalion, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade to Lt. Col. Lori Perkins at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. on Jun. 15, 2022.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Schreiber, a section leader with Alpha Company, 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Pennsylvania National Guard receives a promotion to the rank of sergeant first class during a promotion ceremony held in Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Feb. 17, 2024. Promotion ceremonies in the U.S. Army are important occasions that recognize the dedication, hard work, and accomplishments of soldiers as they advance in their military careers. They provide an opportunity for unit cohesion, morale building, and the reinforcement of Army values and traditions. Army National Guard

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Douglas Stewart, Headquarters, Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, left, addresses troops at the Ethan Allen Firing Range, Jericho, Vt., Oct. 15, 2022. This formation marks the last in which Stewart participates before retirement from service.

U.S. Army Maj. Annaliese Baumer assumes command of the 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, Vermont Army National Guard, during a change of command ceremony held at a flight facility in North Clarendon, Vt., U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nathan Speanburg, right, relinquishes command after leading the battalion for three years. Baumer will serve as the fisrt female commander in the unit's 100-year history.

An opening ceremony is held for Exercise Yama Sakura 83 at Camp Asaka, Japan, Dec. 5, 2022. As a part of U.S. Army Pacific Operation Pathways, Yama Sakura 83 is the largest and most complex U.S. Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force bilateral command post exercise to date.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Marc H. Sasseville, 12th vice chief of the National Guard Bureau, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael Leeney, commanding general of the 40th Infantry Division and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Robert Wooldridge, deputy commanding general for operations for the 40th ID, discuss Warfighter 23-2, Oct. 31, 2022 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Warfighter exercises assist military formations in practicing critical functions such as communication, battle planning, and analysis of tactics and strategy. (U.S. Army National Guard Illustration by Pfc. Yancy Mendoza and Sgt. Joaquin Vasquez-Duran)

U.S. Army Gen. James McConville, Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Gary Brito, incoming commander of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, and Gen. Paul Funk, outgoing commander of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, salute the national colors during a change of command ceremony September 8, 2022, at Fort Eustis, Virginia.

Lt. Col. Gregory Polk, the Task Force Pioneer commander, shakes hands with a U.S. Soldier during an award ceremony at Union III forward operating base in Baghdad, Iraq, April 22, 2022. As part of Army tradition, Task Force Pioneer facilitates mass ceremonies to present awards and recognize exemplary accomplishments.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Dylan Walsh instructs Soldiers with the 1-114th Infantry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, on the M136 AT4 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, June 3, 2022. The AT4 is an 84mm unguided anti-armour weapon. It is effective in assaulting tanks and combat vehicles, landing craft, helicopter, aircraft and armoured vehicles.

Left, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael S. Harrell commander of 839th Transportation Battalion applies the rank of Staff Sergeant applies the rank of to the patrol cap of newly appointed U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Cesar G. Garcia assigned to 839th Transportation Battalion, during the promotion ceremony at Camp Darby, Italy, Feb 09, 2024. Army

Lt. Col. Patrick J. Szvetitz, incoming commander of the 2-130th Airfield Operations Battalion (AOB), assumes command of the 2-130th AOB, at a ceremony held at the Harnett Regional Jetport in Erwin, North Carolina, June 4, 2022. The battalion is prepared for continued local, national, and foreign aviation operations. (Photo by US Army Capt. Patrick Montandon, 449th Combat Aviation Brigade, Released)

Command Sergeant Major of the 647th Regional Support Group (RSG) Command Sgt. Maj. George Kibuuka presents the guidon to outgoing Commander Col. Michael W. Miller (left), 416th Theater Engineer Command (TEC) Commanding General Maj. Gen. Matthew V. Baker (center), and incoming Commander Col. Adam C. Miller (right) during a Change of Command Ceremony at the Wichita Veterans Memorial Park in Wichita, Kan. April 9, 2022. The Change of Command ceremony marks the moment when the unit leadership changes, and the transfer of responsibility is complete. The 647th RSG is headquartered at the 1st Lt. Lanny J. Wallace Army Reserve Center in Wichita, Kan. and is a deployable headquarters that manages base camps and provides support to troops when mobilized. (Army Reserve photo by Sgt. 1st Class Anaidy G. Claudio)

U.S. Air Force Airmen with the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Honor Guard render salutes during a transfer of remains of a service member recovered during Operation Colony Glacier at JBER, Alaska, June 26, 2022. The transfer cases will go to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, for identification of remains and personal effects before being returned to families. Operation Colony Glacier is an effort to recover the remains of service members and wreckage from a 1952 flight which had 52 military members on board. As of June 2022, 47 of the 52 service members remains have been recovered and identified.

U.S. Army Capt. Jennifer Wain salutes at a change of command ceremony on Sept. 18, 2022 at the Flemington National Guard Armory. Capt. Wain replaced Capt. Clinton Bradley who was promoted to another assignment in the National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Pfc. Michael Hayes)

(Left to right) U.S. Army Maj. Gen. D.A. Sims II, the outgoing 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Robert P. White, the U.S. Army III Corps and Fort Hood commander, and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III, the incoming 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general, serve as the official party during a division change of command ceremony May 11, 2022, at Fort Rileys Cavalry Parade Field. The ceremony was held to honor Sims as the divisions outgoing commanding general, and to welcome Meyer as the divisions incoming commanding general.

U.S Army Col. Ed Matthaidess III, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Walker, senior enlisted advisor of the 2nd BCT, 101st Airborne recognize U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Finnish army soldiers with the Jaeger Brigade following a combined arms live fire exercise between U.S. and Finnish forces, Rovaniemi, Finland, Aug. 11, 2022.

Paratroopers across the 82nd Airborne Division finish the 12 mile road march, complete a weapons test, and recieve their E3B on Fort Bragg, NC, April 7, 2023. 371 Paratroopers and Soldiers across multiple units and locations successfully completed E3B.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sean M. Castilla, commander of Battlegroup Poland and the commander of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (3-1 ABCT), and Com. Sgt. Maj. Sean M. Allison congratulates the Soldiers of Alpha Company for achieving awards and commendations for excellence achieved during gunnery training, prior participating in the NATO patch ceremony, where the Soldiers of the 3-1 ABCT symbolically replace the 1st Cavalry Division patch worn on the left sleeve, with the NATO Battlegroup patch representing their commitment to the NATO mission, Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Oct. 21, 2022. The 3-1 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe.

Staff Sgt. Autumn Clark, a Soldier in 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, from New Richmond, Ohio, receives guidance before the rifle marksmanship event in the 2023 Best Mortar Competition, Fort Benning, Georgia, April 10, 2023. Nearly two dozen teams are competing to represent their units, branches, and countries.

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 1984th U.S. Army Field Hospital and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Kengun GSVC Medical Team train loading a casualty into an ambulance during Orient Shield 22, On Camp Kengun, Japan, Aug 29, 2022. Orient Shield 22 is the largest U.S. Army and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force bilateral field training exercise being executed in various locations throughout Japan to enhance interoperability and test and refine multi-domain and cross-domain operations.

Col. Matthew Franke, right, Air Force Materiel Command Chaplain, and Senior Master Sgt. Jeffrey Bell, AFMC senior enlisted leader for religious affairs, left, as well as members of the 66th Air Base Group chapel team, look on as Tech. Sgt. Travis Fiero, 66th Security Forces Squadron military working dog section kennel master, provides an overview of the MWD mission at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., June 2. While visiting Hanscom, Franke and Bell met with members of the 66th Medical Squadron Mental Health Flight and received a military working dog demonstration.

Oklahoma National Guard Lt. Col. Tonia Toben relinquishes her command of the 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion to Lt. Col. Darrin Fox in a change of command ceremony held at Camp Gruber Training Center, near Braggs, Okla., May 14, 2022. Toben deployed to Iraq in 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the logistics and forward operating base mayor for two bases in Baghdad, Iraq. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Caleb Stone.)

U.S. Army Col. John B. Gilliam, commander of 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team passes the battalion colors from the outgoing commander U.S. Army Lt. Col. Derek Drouin to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Levi Thompson, the new commander of 6-9 Cavalry Regiment at a ceremony in Poland, Sept. 12, 2022. The change of command ceremony is a tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander.

Master Sgt. Jeffrey Tinsley, left, a rappel master witj Company B, 399th Regiment (Cadet Summer Training), inspects the equipment of a cadet prior to going down the rappel tower on Fort Knox, Ky, June 8. Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 399th Regiment, will lead thousands of Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets from across the country through the confidence/obstacle course and rappel tower at Fort Knox this summer starting in early June.

Brig. Gen. Stephen Rhoades, Commander - Land Component Command of the Ohio Army National Guard, addresses soldiers assigned to the Ohio Army National Guard 1-134th Field Artillery as part of Northern Strike 22-2 at Camp Grayling, Mich., Aug. 10, 2022. Northern Strike is designed to challenge 7,400 service members with multiple forms of training that advance interoperability across multicomponent, multinational and interagency partners. (Michigan Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Robert Douglas).

Culinary Specialists with Company G and H of the 132nd Brigade Support Battalion, 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team stood up Field Feeding Teams to provide daily hot meals to the Red Arrow soldiers during annual training this June at Fort McCoy, Wis. These small culinary teams work long hours to help keep over 1,000 soldiers fed and nourished on a daily basis. (32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team photo by Staff Sgt. Kati Volkman/Released)

Maj. Gen. William Dyer III assumed duties as the commander of the 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training) from Maj. Gen. Andrew Juknelis during a Change of Command Ceremony November 20 at the units new headquarters in Charlotte, NC. Maj. Gen. Eugene LeBoeuf, the deputy commanding general for the U.S. Army Reserve, presided over the ceremony.

Capt. Evan G. Kraemer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division received the Army Meritorious Service Medal presented by Lt. Col. Latoya M. Manzey, Commander of 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion at a Change of Command Ceremony on January 19th, 2024 at Fort Carson, Colorado

Spc. Alejandro Lopez-Flores (right), help desk technician, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, thanks his friends and family during his reenlistment ceremony on Fort Knox, Kentucky, April 29, 2022.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jessica Larson, a drum major with the 1st Marine Division Band, leads the band during the I Marine Expeditionary Force change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 16, 2024. Maj. Gen. Bradford J. Gering relinquished command of I MEF to Lt. Gen. Michael S. Cederholm. I MEF provides the Marine Corps a globally responsive, expeditionary, and fully scalable Marine Air-Ground Task Force, capable of generating, deploying, and employing ready forces and formations for crisis response, forward presence, major combat operations, and campaigns. Marine Corps

Lt. Col. Brett Rhodenizer, commander of the 1-111th General Support Aviation Battalion, Florida Army National Guard right, briefs Capt. Rachel Day, assistant supply officer, middle, and Capt. Katrina Mayes, medical operations officer, both with the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, Maryland Army National Guard, during Northern Strike 22 in Grayling, Mich., on Aug. 13, 2022. The 29th CAB provides all domain command and control over the 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion from the Tennessee Army National Guard, the 1-111th General Support Aviation Battalion from the Florida Army National Guard and the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 from Jacksonville, North Carolina during Northern Strike 22.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III, the commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division, and Col. John B. Gilliam, commander of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, have a conversation with Polish soldiers after an uncasing ceremony at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, Aug. 29, 2022. The 3/1 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, Americas forward-deployed corps in Europe.

4th Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, Tennessee Army National Guard held a change of command ceremony at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center on Thursday, August 4, 2022. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Timothy W. Shubert relinquished command to the incoming commander, Maj. Rusty Gates.

An excited Cadet snaps a photo while 4th Brigade Army ROTC Commander, Col. Michael G. Mourouzis, and Command Sgt. Major Matthew R. Hire congratulate Furman State Universitys Ranger Challenge team for placing first in the small program category on October 16 at Fort A.P. Hill. | Photo by Sarah Windmueller, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Corbett Baxter, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) battalion commander, addresses the audience during Cpl. William Morgans promotion ceremony to sergeant on Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy, Jan. 26, 2024. Morgans promotion is a testament to his performance and dedication to SETAF-AFs mission in Italy and Africa. SETAF-AF provides U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Europe & Africa a dedicated headquarters to synchronize Army activities in Africa and scalable crisis response options in Africa and Europe.

Lt. Col. Sam M. Pearson, commander of the 6th Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery Regiment passes the guidon flag to Cpt. Zemas K. Andargachew during Delta Battery, 6th Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery Regiment's, activation ceremony on Fort Hood, Texas, Sept. 7. This gesture symbolized Andargachew's assumption of command of Delta Battery.

U.S. Army Reserve 1st Sgt. Patricia Hightower, right, Cpl. Alex Hubbard and Sgt. Cameron Mene were among the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 389th Engineer Battalion Soldiers standing at parade rest during The Specialist Ronald D. Rennison Memorialization Ceremony at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Dubuque, Iowa, July 10, 2022.

U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to Task Force Red Dragon, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), host a D-Day commemoration ceremony and ruck march June 6, 2022, at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, to remember the sacrifices of Allied forces during the storming of the Normandy beachhead during World War II.

Soldiers from the 4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) are competing in the 2022 U.S. Army Reserve Small Arms Championship from Sept. 11 thru Sept. 17 on Camp Robinson, N. Little Rock, Arkansas.ARROWS FORWARD to 1st Lt. Chance Hernandez, Master Sgt. Jason Lee, and Sgt. Robert Flores from San Antonio, Texas, and Staff Sgt. Cameron L. MacDonnell from Huntsville, Texas.The competition is a live-fire training event that tests Soldiers ability to employ both primary and secondary weapon systems. The program is designed to develop marksmanship skills at the entry and intermediate level.If shooting weapons, building relationships that can last a lifetime, and getting paid sounds good to you, click the link to sign up and learn more.https://armyreservemarksman.info/newsletter/BIG THANKS to the 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) for helping with coverage.

Maj. Dennis LeMaster, U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE) Commanding General, awards Spc. Kristopher Villanueva, 68S preventive medicine specialist the Expert Field Medical Badge (EFMB) MEDCoE EFMB Award Ceremony, at the Joint Base San Antonio- Camp Bullis Parade Field, April 1, 2022. Villanueva was one of 14 officer and enlisted Soldiers assigned to various Army medicine commands to earn the coveted badge during a grueling two week testing event conducted by the MEDCoE at Camp Bullis. The culminating event, a 12 mile road march, was followed by an award and graduation ceremony hosted by LeMaster.

Arrival of the official party, Lt. Col. Christian Gatbonton (right), incoming commander, 541st Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Dvision, Lt. Col. Charles Arnold (center), outgoing commander, 541st Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division and Col. Ricardo Jones, 1st Division Sustainment Brigade commander arrive to the 541st Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, change of command ceremony at the Cavalry Parade Field on Fort Riley, Kansas, June 14, 2022.

290th Military Police Brigade, U.S. Army Reserve, held a change of command ceremony and a change of responsibility ceremony at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, on Friday, August 5, 2022. During the ceremony, Col. John Dunn relinquished command to the incoming commander, Col. Jonathan Bennett. Following the change of command, Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffery Culberson assumed responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Kyle Jenkins.

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Wesley E. Shields, receives the colors from incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Frank E. Batts, Command Sgt. of the 54th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade, during assumption of responsibility ceremony at Caserma Del Din, Oct. 4, 2022, Vicenza, Italy. 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.

The command team from 311th Signal Command, which included Brig. Gen. Kevin Meisler and Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan DeHart visited the 41st Signal Battalion and had the opportunity to to recognize and give coins to some soldiers there.

U.S. Army Col. Joshua D. Hirsch, (right) outgoing 598th Transportation Brigade, Surface Deployment and Distribution Command commander passes the unit colors to Maj. Gen. Heidi J. Hoyle, (left) commanding general of Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command during a change of command ceremony, July 11, 2022, at Daenner Kaserne, Kaiserslautern, Germany. The 598th TBDE executes mission command for strategic seaport operations in support of both U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command.

Incoming command sergeant major of NATO eFP Battle Group Poland, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Sheldon Watson, command sergeant major of 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (2 ABCT), 1st Cavalry Division (1 CD), operationally controlled by the 4th Infantry Division (4 ID), stands at the front of the formation during the Hand Over, Take Over ceremony in Bemowo Piskie, Feb. 2, 2023. The 2 ABCT, 1 CD is among other units assigned to the 4 ID, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe.

(220611-N-OI810-0039) GULFPORT, Mississippi (June 11, 2022) Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 14 conduct morning formation during fiscal year 2022, quarter three, Regional Training Platform (RTP-3) at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, June 11, 2022. RTP-3 provided NMCB-14 Seabees hands-on training opportunities in tactical combat casualty care; maintenance and material management; civil engineering support equipment operations; convoy operations; and Seabee combat warfare and expeditionary skills. NMCB-14 provides advance base construction, battle damage repair, contingency engineering, humanitarian assistance and disaster recovery support to our fleet and unified commanders.

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Wayne Baze, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3, and Rear Adm. Jean-Mathieu Rey, Joint Commander of the French Armed Forces in the Asia-Pacific, greets the soldiers participating in Exercise Marara 22 on Huahine, French Polynesia, May 16, 2022. Marara 22 is the foundation for building relationships and increasing engagements with our allies and partners to build a better bilateral relationship.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Zachary Collins, left, and Sgt. Joy Potter, decontamination specialists with the Washington National Guards 10th Homeland Response Force, instruct a Soldier with the 153rd Medical Detachment (Blood Support), 56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 62nd Medical Brigade, in donning advanced chemical protective garments on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Sept. 23, 2022. Collins and Potter, along with another 10th HRF subject matter expert, taught a 2-day introductory course on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incident basics, proper wear of protective gear, and hazardous material detection and monitoring.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Zachary Collins, left, and Sgt. Joy Potter, decontamination specialists with the Washington National Guards 10th Homeland Response Force, instruct a Soldier with the 153rd Medical Detachment (Blood Support), 56th Multifunctional Medical Battalion, 62nd Medical Brigade, in donning advanced chemical protective garments on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Sept. 23, 2022. Collins and Potter, along with another 10th HRF subject matter expert, taught a 2-day introductory course on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incident basics, proper wear of protective gear, and hazardous material detection and monitoring.

Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Illinois Army National Guard and Colombian Army Soldiers get to know each other during a break in training during Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 on Nov. 10, 2022 at Tolemaida Military Base, Colombia. Exercise Southern Vanguard is U.S. Army South's premier training exercise taking place at the operational and tactical levels intended to increase interoperability between the United States and Western Hemisphere forces. This year's iteration, Exercise Southern Vanguard 23, involves Soldiers from U.S. Army South and the U.S. Army National Guard training alongside Colombian Army soldiers in varying terrain while conducting weapon familiarization lanes culminating in a bilateral military training operation.

U.S. Army Soldiers with Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery Regiment, stand at the position of attention for a change of command ceremony on Sept. 18, 2022 at the Flemington National Guard Armory. Incoming battery commander Capt. Jennifer Wain replaced outgoing battery commander Capt. Clinton Bardley. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Pfc. Michael Hayes)

U.S. Army Capt. Jake Jeffire, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (3-1 ABCT) symbolically replaced the 1st Cavalry Division patch worn on the left sleeve of 1st Sgt. Joseph Hays, first sergeant of HHC of the 3-1 ABCT uniform, with the NATO Battlegroup patch representing the commitment to the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Poland mission, during the NATO patch ceremony in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Oct. 21, 2022. The 3-1 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe.

U.S. Army Major. Gen. John H. Phillips, commanding general, 335th Signal Command Theater, passes the 359 TTSB guidon to Col. Tracy G. Monteith, incoming commander of the 359th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, during the change of command ceremony at Barton Field on Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga on June 26, 2022. Col. Travis A. Hartman relinquished command of the 359th TTSB to Col. Tracy G. Monteith, ceremony was presided over by Major. Gen. John H. Phillips, commanding general, 335th Signal Command Theater.

The 378th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, holds a Change of Command ceremony at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 6, 2022. The primary purpose of a change of command is for subordinates to witness an officer formally assume responsibility, authority and accountability for the unit. These ceremonies preserve the tradition of military service and stimulate unit esprit de corps.

A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 87th Air Base Wing pulls the flag down as installation leadership salutes during a retreat ceremony at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Feb. 29, 2024. This monthly ceremony strengthens the commitment to Warrior Heart initiatives, instills pride, and fosters a sense of connection to our military heritage and traditions. Air Force

U.S. Air Force members of the 233rd Communications Squadron stand at parade rest during the 233rd Communication Squadron change of command at Greeley Air National Guard Station in Greeley, Colorado, Oct 15, 2022. The 233rd provides immediate, worldwide missile warning, space launch and detection in the event of an attack against the United States.

Soldiers with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team pause for a moment of reflection during their departure ceremony at Camp Atterbury near Edinburgh, Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Indiana National Guard photo by Sgt. Jonah Alvarez

U.S. Army Soldiers with the Georgia Army National Guard stand in a multinational formation during the closing ceremony of Noble Partner at the Vaziani Training Area, Georgia Sep. 9,2022. Exercise Noble Partner is designed to enhance regional partnerships and increase U.S. force readiness and interoperability in a realistic, multinational training environment. The exercise allows participants to conduct situational training exercises, live-fire exercises, and combined mechanized maneuvers.

Paratroopers across the 82nd Airborne Division finish the 12 mile road march, complete a weapons test, and recieve their E3B on Fort Bragg, NC, April 7, 2023. 371 Paratroopers and Soldiers across multiple units and locations successfully completed E3B.

FORT MCCOY, WI - Spc. Lukas Sparks proudly stands in formation with fellow Soldiers of the 367th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Whitehall, Ohio upon conclusion of his promotion ceremony conducted during annual training, Aug. 8, 2022 (Photo by U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Megan Fischer).

From left, U.S. Army Col. Paul Krattiger, chief of staff of the 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Army Col. Kenneth Braeger, security cooperations officer for V Corps, and Polish army Col. Krzysztof Kuba, commander of the Land Forces Training Center, attend a ceremony at Biedrusko, Poland, June 3, 2022. The Training Support Battalion of the Land Forces Training Center of the Polish army celebrated 8 years of its adoption of historic heritage from various armored units that were based around Biedrusko and Poznan, Poland.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Colby Kuberski and Sgt. Grant Arnall, both M1A2 SEPv2 Abrams tank crew members assigned to 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, ensures Grant's M4A1 carbine is cleared of ammunition during the stress shoot portion of the Sullivan Cup at Fort Benning, Georgia, May 5, 2022. The Sullivan Cup requires mastery of individual tasks, technical and tactical competence, and the ability to demonstrate an array of maneuver, sustainment, and gunnery skills.

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Craig P. Carroll, first sergeant of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Infantry Division Artillery instructs the Soldiers on what will happen during the Relinquishment of Responsibility Ceremony for Command Sgt. Maj. Rickey G. Jackson, command sergeant major of the 1st Infantry Division Artillery at Forward Operating Site Adazi, Latvia, April 27, 2022. The 1st Infantry Division is among other units assigned to V Corps, Americas forward-deployed corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces.

Capt. Kieth Kenny, a plans officer assigned to 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division coordinates movement during combined arms rehersal at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, April 23, 2022. The 3/4 ABCT is among other units assigned to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces; execute joint, bilateral and multinational training exercises; and provides command and control for rotational and assigned units in the European theater.

070128-A-5332O-069. Subject Operation/Series: OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Logistic Support Area Anaconda Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Cadet Cadre practice marching drills to prepare for Basic Cadet Training this summer at the U.S. Air Force Academy, May 16, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong)

A group of U.S. Army Rangers, assigned to 5th Ranger Training Battalion, salutes the colors during a retirment ceremony for Command Sgt. Maj. Joey D. Blacksher on Stringer Drop Zone, Dahlonega, Ga., February 2, 2024. Command Sgt. Maj. Blacksher served 22 years of dedicated serve to the U.S. Army and the United States of America. Army Reserve

Col. Kevin Lord, 39th Air Base Wing commander, addresses airmen during a scooter safety ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Türkiye, Feb. 29, 2024. Over 40 scooters were dedicated during the ceremony with 39th Communications Squadron license plates. Air Force

Cadets from 1st Regiment practice their marching for drills and ceremony (D&C) during their first day of Cadet Summer Training Basic Camp at Fort Knox, Ky., June 27, 2022. After the Cadets practiced D&C, they finished their day with more in-processing. | Photo by Nathan Abbott, CST Public Affairs Office.

Col. Stephen Fairless, Commander, 1st Armored Brigade, 1st Armored Division gives overarching guidance to the leaders participating in the brigade's sustainment rehearsal at Rodriguez Live Fire Complex, Republic of Korea, on May 12, 2022; the sustainment rehearsal's purpose was to synchronize the brigade's actions during the exercise, providing effective training to the unit. Soldiers from across the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team Ready First, 1st Armored Division (the current 2nd Infantry Division (ROK-US Combined Division) rotational brigade) participated in the Warrior Ready Strike training exercise to increase their proficiency, learn about operating in the Republic of Korea, and re-affirm the commitment to the ROK-US Alliance.

207th Military Intelligence Brigade - Theater Commander Col. Mark Denton, right, walks with Maj. Gen Todd Wasmund on a tour of the 207th MIB-T facilities on Aug. 31, 2022 on Caserma Del Din.

Troopers assigned to 1-12 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division participated in a WWII Commemoration Wreath Laying Ceremony at Drawsko Pomorskie Municiple Cemetery in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland Sept. 1, 2022. Participating in events like these promote partnership between U.S. and Polish forces and the civilian population.

Air Commandos assigned to various units in Air Force Special Operations Command, salute the flag during the national anthem at the start of Silver Star Medal Ceremony for Master Sgt. Cory Haggett, a special tactics operator with the 23d Special Tactics Squadron, 24th Special Operations Wing, May 13, 2022, at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces.

U.S. Army Lt. Col Steven Conrad, 1st Battalion, 222d Aviation Regiment, passes the colors to Col. Jake Miller, 128th Aviation Brigade commander, during a battalion change of command ceremony June 15, 2022.

U.S. service members assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), stand in formation during a French Desert Commando Course graduation ceremony at the 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment, Djibouti, June 1, 2022. Members of the CJTF-HOA regularly train and work alongside allies, partners, and government organizations to achieve a unified effort to improve safety, security and prosperity in East Africa.

U.S. Army Sgt. Erik Morales-Rivera, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 369th Sustainment Brigade, stands in front of the brigade formation during a promotional recognition ceremony at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, Nov. 5, 2022. Morales-Rivera was promoted from the rank of specialist.

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command welcomes new Commanding General, Gen. Gary Brito.U.S. Army Photo by Jean Wines.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Shawn Tabankin the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Zeller, the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment senior enlisted advisor, prepares to case the battalions colors during a ceremony at Fort Bliss Tx., Sep. 6. The units colors were cased to signify that the unit has finished its training and is ready to deploy overseas. The colors will be unfurled in Africa when the unit assumes responsibility for a security mission as part of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

Alaska Air and Army National Guardsmen return to Fairbanks, Alaska, Sept. 30 from assisting Nome community residents affected by the remnants of Typhoon Merbok. The Alaska Joint Task Force members removed more than 180,000 pounds of storm-related debris and logged more than 3,000 work hours across 32 communities. (Alaska National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Julie Avey)

U.S. Army Capt. Kyle Litteral, Company C, 1st Battalion, 222d Aviation Regiment incoming commander, receives the guidon from Lt. Col. Jason Brubaker, 1st Battalion, 222d Aviation Regiment commander, during a ceremony on August 3, 2022, at Fort Eustis, Virginia.

Maj. Gen. Brian S. Eifler, right, 11th Airborne Division Commanding General, and Command Sgt. Maj. Vern B. Daley, center, 11th Airborne Division Senior Enlisted Advisor, congratulate Soldiers from the division for earning their individual expert skills badge on Pershing Field Sept. 30, 2022. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher B. Dennis/ 11th Airborne Division Public Affairs NCO)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak, left, deputy director, Air National Guard, speaks with 142nd Wing top performers during a visit at Portland Air National Guard Base, Oregon on July 14, 2022. Pirak spent the day touring base facilities and speaking with Airmen.

The leaders of U.S. Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Infantry Division Artillery, promote their Soldiers at Forward Operating Site Adazi, Latvia, June 3, 2022. The 1st Infantry Division is among other units assigned to V Corps, Americas forward-deployed corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jason E. Insell, the Division Sustainment Troops Battalion, 3rd Division Sustainment Brigades outgoing senior enlisted adviser, passes the unit colors to Lt. Col. Melissa L. Hoaglin, the battalion commander, during a Change of Responsibility Ceremony at Alwyn Cashe Garden on Fort Stewart, Georgia, Jan. 12, 2023. Command Sgt. Maj. Malachi L. Thornton, the incoming senior enlisted advisor, assumed responsibility of the DSTB, which includes a headquarters company as well as signal, finance, human resources, food service and transportation companies for command and control and logistics support to the brigade and the 3rd Infantry Division.

Sgt. Maj. Michael Bass, the senior enlisted leader with 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division passes the battalion colors to Lt. Col Steven Holmberg, former commander of the 588th BEB, 3/4th ABCT, during the battalion change of command ceremony, Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, June 15, 2022. The 3/4th ABCT is among other units assigned to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces.

Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers flying RQ-11B Raven Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) over Badger drop zone as part of a two week additional skills course taught by Wisconsin Military Academy instructors at Fort McCoy WI.

U.S. Army Master Sgt. Joshua Gendron, operations sergeant for V Corps Forward, shows the base's facilities to U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Donna W. Martin, inspector general of the U.S. Army, during a visit to Poznan, Poland, May 22, 2022. The Office of the Inspector General serves to provide impartial, objective, and unbiased advice and oversight to the Army through a relevant, timely, and thorough inspection, assistance, investigations, and training.

U.S. Soldiers attend a safety brief before starting the Norwegian Foot March on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Feb. 10, 2023. During registration, event cadre members weighed the participants rucksacks to ensure they met the events weight minimum standard of 25 pounds.

A U.S. Army soldier assigned to Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment (MEDEVAC), Connecticut Army National Guard, renders a salute with his company guidon during a deployment ceremony inside the Army Aviation Support Facility, Windsor Locks, Connecticut, Feb. 7, 2023. Soldiers from the 126th are deploying to the Central Command Area of Responsibility in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

030329-F-4806N-010. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base Country: Romania (ROM)

Maj. Christoph Hänsel, the Deputy Senior National Representative for Germany, pins the German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship on a U.S. Soldier during a German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship awards ceremony at Union III forward operating base in Baghdad, Iraq, April 15, 2022. The German Armed Forces Badge of Marksmanship is awarded to soldiers proficient in marksmanship and is an official military award authorized for wear only by enlisted service members.

The U.S. Army Reserves 200th Military Police Command welcomed Brig. Gen. Cary Cowan Jr. as its new commanding general during a change-of-command ceremony Aug. 26 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. Cowan assumed command from Maj. Gen. John Hussey during the ceremony, which was presided over by Maj. Gen. Gregory Mosser, U.S. Army Reserve Command deputy commanding general.

The 96th Mission Support Group formation stands a parade rest prior to a retreat ceremony June 13 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The ceremony was held to honor of Brig. Gen. Scott Cain, 96th Test Wing commander, before his change of command June 30. (U.S. Air Force photo/Ilka Cole)

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