Military Ceremonies and Honors

Images of military ceremonies depicting service members receiving awards, patches, and engaging in change of leadership events, showcasing unity and tradition.

(From left) U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nicole K. Charbonneau, outgoing Public Health Activity Rheinland-Pfalz commander, Col. Kenneth Spicer, Public Health Command Europe commander and Lt. Col. Parker M. Hahn, incoming PHA Rheinland-Pfalz commander salute during the German and American national anthem at a change of command ceremony, May 20, 2022 at Landstuhl, Germany. Hahn assumed command of the unit from Charbonneau.

U.S. ARMY JAPAN held a patching ceremony at Yano Field in CAMP ZAMAJAPAN on JUNE 17th, 2022, authorizing both U.S Army Soldiers and JapanSelf-Defense Force members to wear the new patch that symbolizes theirenduring bilateral relationship.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jasen Pask, incoming state command sergeant major, braces Noncommissioned Officers Sword during a change of responsibility ceremony held in St. Augustine, Fla., on November 5th, 2022. The Noncommissioned Officers Sword was established as a combat weapon in 1840, but today is used to signify the transition of an organizations outgoing and incoming senior enlisted leaders.

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer visits with Soldiers of Task Force Talon, Guam, Feb. 7, 2023. Talon is comprised of both Active Duty and Guard Soldiers from the 38th Air Defense Artillery and Guam National Guard, respectively, and operates the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system on Guam. National Guard

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans, left, commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division, awards 1st Lt. Nathan Marchand for winning the Top Intelligence Officer of the 2024 Top Intelligence competition (TOPINT) during the awards ceremony at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Jan. 26. 2024. TOPINT 2024 is an annual competition that brings together Soldiers from across the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps to earn the title of Top Int among their peers.

U.S. ARMY JAPAN held a patching ceremony at Yano Field in CAMP ZAMAJAPAN on JUNE 17th, 2022, authorizing both U.S Army Soldiers and JapanSelf-Defense Force members to wear the new patch that symbolizes theirenduring bilateral relationship.

(From left) U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nicole K. Charbonneau, outgoing Public Health Activity Rheinland-Pfalz commander, Col. Kenneth Spicer, Public Health Command Europe commander and Lt. Col. Parker M. Hahn, incoming PHA Rheinland-Pfalz commander salute during the German and American national anthem at a change of command ceremony, May 20, 2022 at Landstuhl, Germany. Hahn assumed command of the unit from Charbonneau.

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.

Lt. Gen. Leon Thurgood, Director of Hypersonic, Directed Energy, Space and Rapid Acquisition, visited with soldiers of newly reactivated 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery April 15, 2022.

From left, Command Sgt. Maj. Eddie Clements of 941st Military Police Battalion coins Spc. Emily Pitre and Pfc. Chris Kiernan of Detachment 1, 185th Engineer Support Company, New Hampshire Army National Guard on June 23, 2022, at Greenfield State Park in Greenfield, New Hampshire. The Soldiers were recognized for their exemplary performance during construction new dishwashing stations the park, an Innovative Readiness Training initiative that leverages military resources for various community improvements.

FORT HOOD, Texas -- Sgt. Maj. Dawayne Smith and Lt. Col. John McCallister look through a training manual during a preventative maintenance checks and services competition among III Corps command teams, Apr. 22, 2022. III Corps units were preparing to turn in excess equipment during the competition.

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.

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 Spc. Keo Taianao, right, fist-bumps Spc. Sirena Sanchez at the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile site "Excalibur" in Dededo, Guam, Sept. 21. Taianao and Sanchez are members of the Guam National Guard's 1224th Engineer Support Company, which is mobilized to provide site security for Task Force Talon of the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.

Today, Charlie Company, 524th DSSB, celebrated our Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony for 1st Sgt. Sean McGilvrey. This Assumption of Responsibility ceremony marks the next chapter in the renowned history of willing and able soldiers. Your leadership will continue moving us forward as we face new challenges. Congratulations 1st Sgt. McGilvrey, always forward. U.S. Army Photos By: Sgt. Kenyel Jones

U.S. Army Pfc. Patrick Scully, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Division Artillery, 1st Armored Division, earns 1st place Iron Soldier during the award ceremony at the conclusion of the Iron Squad Competition at Fort Bliss, Texas, April 22, 2022.The Iron Squad Competition is a four-day event designed to test each squad and individual competitors physical stamina, Warrior Tasks and Battle Drill skills and military knowledge. The winning squad will advance to compete in the III Corps Best Squad Competition later this year at Fort Hood.

U.S. Army Col. Kristine Henry, the outgoing commander of the 291st Digital Liaison Detachment, Maryland Army National Guard, receives the guidon from Sgt. Maj. Thomas at a change of command ceremony in Adelphi, Md., August 14, 2022. Henry relinquished command to Lt. Col. John McDaniel Jr during the ceremony.

Lt. Col. Brandon Grooms, incoming commander of 325th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, receives the colors from Col. Josh Bookout, commander of the 3rd IBCT, during the change of command ceremony at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, June 16, 2022. During change of command ceremonies, the outgoing commander symbolically relinquishes their responsibility and authority by passing the colors to the incoming commander.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Allan Doctor, an international health specialist with U.S. Air Forces in Europe Headquarters, military medical personnel with the New Jersey National Guard, and the Albanian Armed Forces conduct an AAF combat medic tactical combat casualty care demonstration, April 5, 2022, at Zall-Herr garrison, Albania. The demo was part of a workshop designed to determine future means to increase medical familiarity, interoperability and safety between the U.S. and AAF military personnel. The more than 20 year New Jersey-Albania Partnership is one of 22 European partnerships that make up the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program and one of 65 worldwide partnerships that make up the National Guard State Partnership Program.

Oklahoma Army National Guard Lt. Col. Tonia Toben relinquishes her command of the 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command, to Lt. Col. Darrin Fox during a change of command ceremony held at Camp Gruber Training Center, near Braggs, Oklahoma, May 14, 2022. Toben served as the 345th CSSB commander for more than three years. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Spc. Danielle Rayon)

U.S. Army Soldiers from Operations Group (OPSGRP), National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif., receive a familiarization medical rehearsal from 3d Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Range Operations, and Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) personnel at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Oct. 21, 2022. JPMPRC 23-01 brings Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, Sailors, and three additional partner Indo-Pacific nations together to evaluate and provide realistic training in the conditions they will most likely face in a crisis or conflict to strengthen their defense relationships and multinational interoperability.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kofie Primus, incoming senior enlisted advisor, right, Maj. Gen. James Smith, commanding general, center, and Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Howard, outgoing senior enlisted advisor, 21st Theater Sustainment Command prepare to walk on Daenner Field to conduct the Change of Responsibility ceremony. Command Sgt. Maj. Primus will serve as the 19th Command Sergeant Major, June 03, on Daenner Field in Kaiserslautern, Germany. His previous assignment was Command Sergeant Major of the 405th Army Field Support Brigade, a 21st TSC unit.

Army Reserve Lt. Col. Stephen Olk presents arms during the 88th Readiness Division's Change of Command at the Veterans Memorial Park, Fort McCoy, Wis., July 30. 2022.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Broadwater, deputy commanding general of V Corps, speaks with U.S. Army Spc. Parker Brown, assigned to the 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division during his re-enlistment ceremony at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, May 17, 2022. Broadwater was requested through Twitter as the re-enlistment officer.

U.S. Air Force Airmen from Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina, participate in the Field of Glory Flag Day Ceremony June 14, 2022, in Erwin, North Carolina.(U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Bove)

Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III, 1st Infantry Division commanding general met with Col. John Gilliam, 3ABCT commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hall along with GREYWOLF battalion commanders and command sergeants major.

Gour Maker, a trainee at Air Force Basic Military Training, receives an Airman’s Coin” at the Coin Ceremony Feb. 1, 2018 outside the Pfingston Reception Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. During the BMT Coin Ceremony Trainees are given Airman’s Coins’ signifying the final transition from trainee to Airman.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. David B. Womack, deputy commanding general of V Corps, meets with attendees of the Victory Honors Ceremony, an event officially welcoming him to the unit, Camp Kosciuszko, Poznan, Poland, Sept. 30, 2022. Womack becomes the first deputy commanding general to join V Corpsthe American command and control army element in the European Theaterin Poland since the base renaming to Camp Kosciuszko. V Corps works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, executes joint and multinational training exercises, while building local community relationships.

U.S. Airmen, assigned to the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, listen as Brig. Gen. William D. Betts, commander of the 378th AEW, addresses Airmen, Soldiers, and Guardians during a base all-call at Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 6, 2022. This was the first time that Betts and Chief Master Sgt. Jessica McWain, command chief of the 378th AEW, were able to address the men and women of the Wing since taking command. During the all-call they encouraged service members to value a sense of purpose larger than themselves, empower their people and commit to always improve. In doing so they will be able to complete the Wings mission of defending the base, integrating follow-on forces, sustain combat operations and build internal and external relationships, with each other and PSABs host nation partners in the Royal Saudi Air Force.

Brig. Gen. Pamela L. McGaha (left), Commander of NATO HQ Sarajevo, conducts a site visit at Kasarna Manjaca, Dobrnja, Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 17, 2022. Guard members assigned to the State Medical Detachment and 1-169th Aviation Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, trained alongside active duty Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina soldiers in tactics, aviation, medical, and non-commissioned officer development. The Maryland National Guard will celebrate 20 years of partnership with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina through the National Guard Bureaus State Partnership Program next year.

Lt.Col. Richard W. Gibson, left, incoming Commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion United States Army Europe and Africa, receives the unit colors from Col. Jon F. Parvin, Brigade Commander, during the change of command ceremony on Clay Kaserne in Wiesbaden, Germany, June 1, 2022.

Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief, National Guard Bureau, visits personnel with the 7th Army Training Command and 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.

Key leadership from the Idaho National Guard and several other U.S. states joined partner nations on June 30, 2022 in Morocco to see the capabilities of multinational armies working together simultaneously in a combined arms live-fire mission. During the exercise, Marines called in air strikes simultaneously as Idaho's 1st Battalion of the 148th Field Artillery Regiment fired the M795 high explosive rounds from the M109A6 howitzers as ground support with Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin Army National Guards, a Marine Corps Reserve unit based in California and active-duty Soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas, with preparatory and destructive fires and obscuration using M825 white smoke rounds.

A Soldier helps another Soldier take off his ruck after completing the Norwegian Foot March at Fort Ord National Monument, Calif., Oct. 28. The 229th Military Intelligence Battalion organized the event to maintain readiness, increase resiliency and build esprit de corps.

Tough Ombres from the 910 Quartermaster Company out of Ardmore, Oklahoma arrived at Fort Irwin, California today for an upcoming rotation in the box at the National Training Center. The 910 is providing petroleum support to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Hood, Texas. 90th Sustainment Brigade Commander, Col. Steve Pazak, joined the troops shortly after arriving at Fort Irwin. He encouraged them to get everything they could out of annual training and asked them to look after each other during the rotation. He challenged the units leadership Capt. Stephan Jackson, Commander, and 1st Sgt. John freeman to watch over the team and ensure they are spiritually, mentally, physically, and financially fit.

The United States Army's most qualified uniformed interrogation teams met at Fort Bragg, North Carolina to compete in the inaugural Army Interrogation Olympics to determine the Army's Best Interrogation Team of the Year. Military Intelligence Soldiers from Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard components met and thrived in an austere field environment while refining and improving individual and collective HUMINT, analytical, leader, and Soldier skills. The competition was hosted by the 525th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade from August 8 to 10, 2022.

Artillery Soldiers of the Iowa National Guards 1st Batl. - 194ths Field Artillery took part in a change of command ceremony between Lt. Col Steven Hall, outgoing commander and incoming commander, Lt. Col. Neil Daniels May 23, 20222 while on Camp Ripley.

Sgt. Pedro Magdaleno, a Blackhawk repairman for the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade commander, 4th Infantry Division, speaks to Cpl. Anthony Aglin, driver for the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade Command Sgt. Maj., 4th Infantry Division, outside the 4th CAB building Sept. 22, 2022, on Fort Carson, Colorado. Magdaleno s position has put him in contact with many Soldiers he wouldnt have met otherwise.

Members of the 202nd Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineers (RED HORSE), Florida Air National Guard, head south from Bradenton, Florida, to clear debris from roadways in Manatee, Charolette, and Lee counties, Sept. 29, 2022. The 202nd RED HORSE Squadron, stationed at Camp Blanding, Florida, is a specialized, highly mobile civil engineering team comprised of Florida Air National Guardsmen that provides rapid response capabilities for multiple worldwide contingencies and operations.

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Henry Sandlin, brigade signal and communications non-commissioned officer-in-charge, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, stands at attention during a promotion and awards ceremony at Camp Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 17, 2022. The ceremony saw a number of Soldiers recognized for their patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence, and were thus awarded with the rank of Specialist.

U.S. Army Col. Stephen E. Capehart, commander of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, left, shakes hands with U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy M. Barr, incoming command sergeant major of the 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3/4th ABCT, to welcome him to the Iron Brigade after a change of responsibility ceremony at Żagań, Poland, Sept. 12, 2022. The 3/4th 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.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Terrance Lucero, 332d Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron response force member, talks with Chief Master Sgt. Sean M. Milligan, 332d Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, as Milligan visits 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Airmen at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, April 23, 2022. Chief Milligan's immersion visits give him a better understanding of the unique skillsets every Airman brings to the 332d AEW Red Tail team.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Task Force Pioneer place patrol caps reflecting the appropriate rank on newly promoted soldiers at Union III forward operating base in Baghdad, Iraq, April 6, 2022. As part of Army tradition, Task Force Pioneer facilitates a monthly mass ceremony to promote soldiers, present awards and recognize exemplary accomplishments.

The U.S. Army Pacific Command team, commander Gen. Charles Flynn, and the Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Brzak, recognize Sgt. Justin Pitts with an award for being part of the squad that recently won the 2022 USARPAC Best Squad Competition on Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, August 29, 2022. The squad was a five-soldier team from 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and they competed against Army teams from across the Pacific Region. Sgt. Pitts and the team are scheduled to compete for the 2022 Department of Defense Best Squad Competition in the coming months.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, commanding general of U.S. Army Central (center), accompanied by Lt. Col. Erika A. Besser, commander of 449th Aviation Support Battalion, assigned as "Task Force Dark Horse" to 36th Combat Aviation Brigade (left), receives an introduction to Capt. Casey J. Voss, company commander of Bravo Company, Task Force Dark Horse, at Udairi Landing Zone on Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Sept. 17, 2022. 36th CAB, mobilized as Task Force Mustang, is deployed in support of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve mission to advise, assist, and enable partnered forces in the enduring defeat of Daesh, the common Arabic term for IS or ISIS, within designated areas of Iraq and Syria.

Tunisia Maj. Wagdi Nehdi, Logistical Commander of the Tunisian Army and two of his Master Sergeants observes maintenance equipment explained by U.S. Army 1LT Stewart Farrar, Maintenance Platoon Leader for the 960th Brigade Support Battalion, Wyoming Army National Guard, in Sheridan, Wyoming, May 17, 2022, on a State Partnership Program visit. The purpose of the SPP is to enhance military ties and strengthen partnerships with countries worldwide. The Wyoming National Guard partnered with the African nation of Tunisia in 2004 and continues to further their relationship with educational exchanges like these.

Army Reserve Spc. Cameron Singletary, firefighter, 463rd Firefighter Engineer Detachment, discusses how to maneuver the turret nozzle on a firefighting vehicle during training at Fort McCoy, Wis., May 24, 2022. The training will help prepare these Army Reserve Soldiers to operate in any situation they may find themselves when attacking a fire or other emergency situation.

Lt. Gen. Gangsoo Heo, the commanding general of the Republic of Korea Army 7th Corps, and the command group of the ROKA Capital Mechanized Infantry Division visit the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division May 10, 2022. The visit consisted of discussions to further bolster and strengthen relationships between the organizations.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Donna Prigmore, the commander of the Oregon Air National Guard, recognizes Col. Adam Gaudinski, the commander of the 173rd Maintenance Group for his role in coordinating a contingent of wing Airmen to accompany her on a state partnership program visit to Bangladesh in mid-October, at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Ore., Oct. 26, 2022. The Oregon National Guard Statepartnership with Bangladesh began in 2008 and focused on seaport and airport security for the nation.

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)

221101-N-LP924-1033 SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras (Nov. 01, 2022) Maj. Gen. José J. Reyes, right, from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, the Adjutant General of Puerto Rico, and Capt. Carolyn Currie, from Lake George, New York, attached to the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), greets Puerto Rico Air National Guard service members during a Women, Peace, and Security Seminar (WPS), Nov. 01, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 22, 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.

Command Sgt. Maj. Jermaine Baldwin of the Combat Aviation Brigade, inspects the colors before to their passing. As the senior enlisted soldier of the command, it is his duty to ensure the colors remain untarnished and prepared for future missions.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jack Arthaud, left, commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, receives a tour from U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Davis, right, commander of the 337th Air Control Squadron, during a site visit of the 337th ACS at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Nov. 4, 2022. Arthaud visited the new 337th ACS facility and spoke to Airmen of the 337th during a commanders call.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to 2nd Theater Signal Brigade call for indirect fire during day two of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) Best Squad Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Aug. 9, 2022. Teams across USAREUR-AF test their tactical proficiency, communication, and overall cohesion as they compete for the title of Best Squad. Winners of this competition will advance to represent USAREUR-AF at the U.S. Army Best Squad Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina later this year.

Battery Command and Staff from 1-265th Air Defense Artillery (ADA), reassess the extent of the devastation of Hurricane Ian and the more affected parts of Charlotte County . Port Charlotte, Florida. Oct. 4, 2022. Over 6,000 service members were activated in response to the natural disaster along with both military and civilian support from out-of-state locations.

A group of U.S. Army Rangers, assigned to 5th Ranger Training Battalion, conducts 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

Brig. Gen. Pamela L. McGaha (center front), Commander of NATO HQ Sarajevo, visit guard members assigned to the State Medical Detachment and 1-169th Aviation Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard at Kasarna Manjaca, Dobrnja, Bosnia-Herzegovina on July 17, 2022. Guard members assigned to the State Medical Detachment and 1-169th Aviation Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, trained alongside active duty Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina soldiers in tactics, aviation, medical, and non-commissioned officer development. The Maryland National Guard will celebrate 20 years of partnership with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina through the National Guard Bureaus State Partnership Program next year. (Maryland Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Jasmine Mathews).

U.S. Army Capt. Luke Cox, commander of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, performs an after-action review with Bravo Company platoon leaders and U.K. counterparts after an offensive training event at Exercise Platinum Lion 2022, Aug. 3. Exercise Platinum Lion is a battalion-level event designed to provide quality, organized and realistic training for designated military units from the United States, United Kingdom and Bulgaria. The exercise reinforces relationships in a combined training environment, builds understanding of partner nation tactics, techniques and procedures and increases interoperability with allied and partner forces.

The 1st Aviation Brigade bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Terrence D. Reyes, Jr., and welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. John R. Bonilla during a change of responsibility ceremony at Fort Rucker, Alabama, December 2, 2022.

U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Matthew Breitrick, assigned to the 452nd Combat Support Hospital, 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support) based in Milwaukee, grimaces in pain after injuring his hand participating in a litter obstacle course on Fort McCoy, Wis., Sept. 16, 2022.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John Dreska, Commanding General, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, presents a coin to U.S. Army Sgt. Robert Brown, 386th Movement Control Team, for his support during African Lion 22 at Tan Tan, Morocco, June 23, 2022. African Lion 22 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, June 6 - 30. More than 7,500 participants from 28 nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL22 is a joint all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, employing a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants and set the theater for strategic access.

In keeping with a tradition as old as the Army itself, Brig. Gen. David Stewart, commanding general, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, passes 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade guidon to the unit's new commander, Col. Ryan L. Schrock, signifying Schrock's assumption of command.

Fifteen Minnesota National Guard and two Croatian Soldiers are competing in Minnesotas Best Warrior Competition April 7-10, 2022, at Camp Ripley. The annual competition tests the military skills, physical strength and endurance of the top Soldiers and noncommissioned officers nominated by units across the state. Croatia and Minnesota have worked together for 25 years as part of the National Guards State Partnership Program. Minnesotas winners will move on to compete against the best Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from states across the region at Camp Ripley in May. (Minnesota National Guard photo by Sgt. Robert Brown)

Guard members in-process upon arriving in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 7, 2021. National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from several states have traveled to the National Capital Region to provide mission support to federal and district authorities.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Daniel Benfield, right center, director of operations, 266th Range Squadron (RANS), Idaho National Guard, explains an electronic threat emitter to Lt. Gen. Michael Loh, director, Air National Guard, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Aug. 20, 2022. The RANS provides world class threat emitter training for pilots from across the world.

U.S. Army Sgt. Nathaniel Hendrix, left, hugs Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jackson, center, during his promotion ceremony on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Sept. 14, 2022. It is an Army tradition for all attendees of a promotion ceremony to congratulate and give a few words of advice to the person being promoted.

Maj. Gen. Ben Corell, Adjutant General of the Iowa National Guard, gives a coin to Spc. Leonard Kennedy, a Dubuque, Iowa, native and infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, Iowa Army National Guard, for excellent performance during annual training at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, on May 19, 2022. Senior leaders in the IANG visited each company near the end of the exercise and recognized Soldiers who demonstrated high morale and job proficiency throughout their training.

Members of the official party salute as the national anthem is played July 14, 2022, during the Fort McCoy Garrison Change of Command Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Plaza at the historic Commemorative Area at Fort McCoy, Wis. During the ceremony, Col. Stephen T. Messenger became the new commander of Fort McCoy Garrison. Messenger received the garrison flag from Brenda McCullough, director of U.S. Army Installation Management Command Directorate-Readiness. Messenger replaces Col. Michael D. Poss who became the garrison commander June 10, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in a virtual change-of-command ceremony. Poss moves on to serve in a position at the 88th Readiness Division also at Fort McCoy.

Maj. Gen. Christopher L. Eubank (right), NETCOM Commanding General passes the Command colors to NETCOM Command Sergeant Major Jason McCoy (left) during the unit's Change of Command, April 19, 2022, at Brown Parade Field, Fort Huachuca, Ariz.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Aaron L. Stephenson, command sergeant major of Task Force No Mercy (1-101st Attack Helicopter Battalion), attached to Task Force Mustang - 36th Combat Aviation Brigade (left), welcomes Command Sgt. Maj. Robert W. Hartzog (right), command sergeant major of Task Force Mustang (36th CAB), at Erbil International Airport in Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, on Sept. 14, 2022. The command team of Task Force Mustang conducted an office visit with Task Force No Mercy to align leadership intent and values required as an aviation task force supporting Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve.

The U.S. Army Pacific Command team, commander Gen. Charles Flynn, and the Senior Enlisted Advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Brzak, recognize Staff Sgt. Angel Dinsmore with an award for being part of the squad that recently won the 2022 USARPAC Best Squad Competition on Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, August 29, 2022. The squad was a five-soldier team from 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and they competed against Army teams from across the Pacific Region. Staff Sgt. Dinsmore and the team are scheduled to compete for the 2022 Department of Defense Best Squad Competition in the coming months.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, right, commanding general of U.S. Forces Japan, greets U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Curtis Blunt, CMDMC of III Marine Expeditionary Force, during Keen Sword 23 at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 16, 2022. During Keen Sword 23, Naval Medical Forces Pacific exercised the inaugural employment of expeditionary hospitalization on the first island chain with bilateral engagement from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Keen Sword is a biennial exercise designed to enhance Japan-U.S. readiness, interoperability, and bilateral relations while demonstrating U.S. resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

Every year service members, family and friends come together at the Gowen Field Memorial Park to honor the men and women who have given their lives for our country. On May 19, 2022, the Idaho Military Division honored and celebrated those men and women as part of its Memorial Day traditions during a ceremony at Gowen Field.

New York National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Ciampolillo, the outgoing command sergeant major of the 53rd Troop Command, relinquished responsability to Command Sgt. Maj. Marc Maynard, the incoming command sergeant major, during a change of responsibility ceremony at Camp Smith Training Site, May 15, 2022. A change of responsibility ceremony is a traditional event in the military that reinforces noncommissioned officers' authority in the Army and highlights their support to the chain of command.

U.S. Army Col. Stephen E. Capehart, commander of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, left, hugs U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Bass, outgoing command sergeant major of the 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3/4th ABCT, to congratulate him on a job well done after a change of responsibility ceremony at Żagań, Poland, Sept. 12, 2022. The 3/4th 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.

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)

Brig. Gen. Eric S. Strong, the Deputy Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, prepares a simulated casualty care training aid on a UH-60 Blackhawk as a part of Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) training on Pershing Field at Fort Carson, Colorado, April 27, 2022. Soldiers are expected to provide aid to battle buddies while on the battlefield if injured, and will call in transportation to help move personnel.

Maj. Gen. Robert F. Whittle Jr., deputy commanding general for United States Army North (Fifth Army), congratulates Maj. Gen. Christopher G. Beck, deputy commander of III Corps and Fort Hood, during his promotion ceremony at Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 22, 2022.

Command Sgt. Maj. Vern B. Daley, center, 11th Airborne Division Senior Enlisted Leader, congratulates Soldiers from the division for earning their expert skills badges on Pershing Field Sept. 30, 2022. 11th Airborne Division awarded over 400 the 1176 Soldiers who attempted to earn their Expert Infantry, Expert Field Medic or Expert Soldier badges. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher B. Dennis/ 11th Airborne Division Public Affairs NCO)

During a celebration for Bulgarias Armed Forces Day, Bulgarian Land Forces Brig. Gen. Stanimir Hristov, commander of 2nd Mechanized Brigade, presents a certificate of appreciation to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Matthew Van Wagenen, outgoing Fifth Corps deputy commanding general of maneuver, for his leadership and partnership, at Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria, May 6, 2022. V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe, works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners, like Bulgaria, to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European theater.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Brian Mennes, the Deputy Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg has a discussion with cadre members assigned to the 44th Medical Brigade during the Expert Field Medic Badge event at Fort Bragg, Oct. 26. Mennes thanked the cadre for their work and support while running a first-class event to ensure our medics are proficient in their medical tasks and battle drills. The EFMB test is a set of rigorous advanced taskings that include both mentally and physically demanding scenario-based exams and is awarded to only the best combat medics. (U.S Army photo by Sgt. Joseph Bencivenga)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Nikolaus B. Boehm, right, assistant operations non-commissioned officer, 837th Brigade Engineer Battalion, pins a new rank onto Sgt. 1st Class Tory Elrich, left, brigade operations non-commissioned officer-in-charge, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, during a promotion ceremony at Camp Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 24, 2022. The ceremony was held to honor Elrich for his promotion to Sergeant First Class, recognizing his continued service, dedication, patriotism, valor, fidelity, and professional excellence.

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - Captain Steve Hudgins, a training officer assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 189th Regional Training Institute of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, instructs a group of officer candidates in troop leading procedures at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, June 4, 2022. By bringing the two classes together we can increase the squad size to 10 and it makes the training more realistic for the candidates, Hudgins said.

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.

Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Campbell passes the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team colors to Col. Christopher Kirkpatrick, commander, 2ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division at his change of responsibility and retirement ceremony Dec. 2 on Cooper Field at Fort Hood, Texas. The passing of the colors represents the passing of responsibility for the brigade and its Soldiers from Campbell to Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Adams, incoming command sergeant major.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Sheldon Gray(left), of the 359th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade(359th TTSB), hands off the 359th TTSB guidon to Col. Travis A. Hartman 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.

Brig. Gen. Lori Robinson, Deputy Commanding General of Support with 2nd Infantry Division/ROK Combined Division, conducts a maintenance terrain walkthrough of the 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade footprint on Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea, Sept. 15, 2022. The purpose of the maintenance terrain walkthrough is to ensure a high level of awareness and command interest in field maintenance by ensuring senior Command Groups understand how their maintenance program operates.

(From left to right) Brig. Gen. Patrick Thibodeau, the deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Maj. Gen. Paul Rogers, the adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. William Russell III, the senior enlisted advisor of the Michigan National Guard, speak with Col. Amer, assistant director of the exercise at the Ben Ghilouf Training Area, during a visit to the Ben Ghilouf Training Area, Tunisia, to observe African Lion 22, June 23, 2022. African Lion 2022 is U.S. Africa Command's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise hosted by Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, June 6 - 30. More than 7,500 participants from 28 nations and NATO train together with a focus on enhancing readiness for U.S. and partner nation forces. AL22 is a joint all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise, employing a full array of mission capabilities with the goal to strengthen interoperability among participants and set the theater for strategic ac

Maj. Gen. Laura Yeager made history, June 29, 2019 becoming the first woman to take command of a U.S. Army Infantry Division when she assumed leadership of the California Army National Guards 40th Infantry Division from Maj. Gen. Mark Malanka. The Change of Command ceremony was held on the airfield of Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos, Calif.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Mulcahey, Headquarters, Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, left, bids farewell to HHT's retiring U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Douglas Stewart at Ethan Allen Firing Range, Jericho, Vt., Oct. 15, 2022. This formation marks the last in which Stewart participates before retirement from service.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Task Force Pioneer congratulate their peers during a promotion and awards ceremony at Union III forward operating base in Baghdad, Iraq, April 6, 2022. As part of tradition, Task Force Pioneer facilitates a monthly mass ceremony to promote soldiers, present awards and recognize exemplary accomplishments.

Capt. David Shrader, 4th Fighter Wing chaplain, speaks to participants before a Murph Challenge at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, May 26, 2022. Shrader challenged participants to achieve above their expectations during the competition.

Command Sgt. Maj. Vern B. Daley, center, 11th Airborne Division Senior Enlisted Leader, congratulates Soldiers from the division for earning their expert skills badges on Pershing Field Sept. 30, 2022. 11th Airborne Division awarded over 400 the 1176 Soldiers who attempted to earn their Expert Infantry, Expert Field Medic or Expert Soldier badges. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher B. Dennis/ 11th Airborne Division Public Affairs NCO)

Staff Sgt. Bonnell Andrew, 610th Quartermaster Company explains the water purification process to Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau at Camp Arawak September 10, 2022.Hokanson engaged with units on both islands during their training and recognized soldiers who continue to exceed the standard.

U.S. Army Col. Werner J. Barden, 519th Hospital Center commander pins the Meritorious Service Medal on Lt. Col. Michael P. Meissel, outgoing 160th Forward Resuscitative Surgical Detachment commander prior to a change of command ceremony, Aug 4, 2022 at Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Kaiserslautern, Germany. Lt. Col. Mark A. Black assumed command of the unit from Meissel.

Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Daniel Hokanson, talks with Command Sgt. Maj. Jasen Pask, the Senior Enlisted Leader of Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine, June 12, 2022, in Grafenwoehr, Germany. Hokanson, who is touring different areas of operations throughout the european theater, stopped in Grafenwoehr Germany to see soldiers from the Florida National Guard that currently make up the JMTG-U. (Photo by Sgt. Spencer Rhodes, 53rd Infantry Brigade)

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.

Air Force Reserve Col. John Robinson, 2nd from right, 315th Airlift Wing (AW) commander, talks with U.S. Army Spc. Mark Tellgren, left, and Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. Bryan Lewis, 2nd from left, July 12, 2022, at Naval Weapons Station, Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina. Robinson joined Reserve Citizen Airmen of the 4th CTCS to watch and participate in close-quarters combat and room-clearing training. Tellgren is a visual information specialist assigned to 3rd Psychological Operations Battalion out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Lewis is the commander of the 4th Combat Camera Squadron out of JB Charleston.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Dennis P. LeMaster, Deputy Commanding General (Support), Medical Command and the 19th Chief, Medical Service Corps (left) greets Brig. Gen. Clinton K. Murray (right), Medical Readiness Command-Europe, commander during the redesignation ceremony on Sep. 30, 2022 in Landstuhl, Germany. Regional Health Command-Europe redesignated to MRC-EUR.

U.S. Army soldiers participate in a Change of Command Ceremony for outgoing commander U.S. Army Lt. Col. Derek Drouin and 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.

Airmen from the 757th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron stand on the wing of an F-15E Strike Eagle at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Sept. 19, 2022. Due to the courage showed by these four Airmen, personnel in the area were able to avoid serious injury or death as a result of the aircraft fire, earning them an Air Combat Command safety award.

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