← Military & Defence

Military Ceremonies and Recognitions

Ceremonial events highlighting promotions and recognitions within the military, featuring recruits receiving pins and honors in front of flags.

RICHMOND, Virginia (July 29th, 2022) After being appointed as an honorary Navy Chief Petty Officer, Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phillip M. Brashear, son of the late Master Chief Master Diver Carl Brashear, stands next to Command Master Chief (CMDCM) Jason Cook of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) Two, during a special presentation by US Navy Divers at his 40-year retirement ceremony at the Frank B. Lotts Conference Center onboard Defense Supply Center in Richmond, Virginia on July 29th, 2022. Earlier in the ceremony, CW5 Brashear was appointed as an Honorary Navy Chief Petty Officer by the Master Chief Petty officer (MCPON) of the Navy Russell Smith for his relentless dedication to the United States Navy. Over the course of 17 years, CW5 Brashear inspired Sailors and members of the Chiefs Mess to keep pushing forward in the face of adversity, volunteering his service to the Navy, and accepting responsibility beyond the call of printed assignment.
RICHMOND, Virginia (July 29th, 2022) After being appointed as an honorary Navy Chief Petty Officer, Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phillip M. Brashear, son of the late Master Chief Master Diver Carl Brashear, stands next to Command Master Chief (CMDCM) Jason Cook of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) Two, during a special presentation by US Navy Divers at his 40-year retirement ceremony at the Frank B. Lotts Conference Center onboard Defense Supply Center in Richmond, Virginia on July 29th, 2022. Earlier in the ceremony, CW5 Brashear was appointed as an Honorary Navy Chief Petty Officer by the Master Chief Petty officer (MCPON) of the Navy Russell Smith for his relentless dedication to the United States Navy. Over the course of 17 years, CW5 Brashear inspired Sailors and members of the Chiefs Mess to keep pushing forward in the face of adversity, volunteering his service to the Navy, and accepting responsibility beyond the call of printed assignment.
152 assets in this story
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ABH1(AW/SW/IW) Darlene Rule, assigned to USS Wasp (LHD-1) re-enlists aboard the Battleship Wisconsin in Downtown Norfolk on Wednesday, May 25, 2022. The ceremony was hosted by the Hampton Roads Naval Museum as part of their military ceremonies program that is available to area commands without cost. The museum is located next to the Battleship Wisconsin in Downtown Norfolk, Virginia.
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U.S. Air Force Col. Michael Richard, 35th Fighter Wing commander, signs the Fire Prevention Week proclamation at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Oct. 12, 2022. The signing of the proclamation kicks-off events the Fire Department is conducting throughout the week to reinforce fire safety.
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221010-M-VR919-1135 (October 10, 2022) U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion, Task Force San Francisco, run through the Golden Gate Bridge during San Francisco Fleet Week 2022 at San Francisco, California, Oct. 10, 2022. SFFW is an opportunity for the American public to meet their Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard teams and experience Americas sea services. During fleet week, service members participate in various community service events, showcase capabilities and equipment to the community, and enjoy the hospitality of the city and its surrounding areas.
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U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Christian Morel, a drill instructor with Support Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, delivers the receiving speech to educators from Recruiting Stations Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Tampa during Educators Workshop at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, June 8, 2022. The Marine Corps Educators Workshop, which took place from June 7-10, is meant to provide insight for educators to gain a better understanding of the Marine Corps.
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040323-F-0209W-001. Base: Kirkuk Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: CENTAF
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020211-M-9902V-013. Base: Camp Hijudai State: Oita Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: 3 MEF
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U.S. Marine Corps, Staff Sgt. Bac Le, a drill instructor with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, gives instructions to new recruits as they arrive at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, Nov. 14, 2022. Receiving is the recruits first day at MCRD San Diego, where they were checked for contraband, given haircuts, made phone calls home and issued gear.
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Col. Steven Young, 377th Test Support Squadron incoming commander, receives his first salute from members of the 377th TSS during an assumption of command ceremony at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, Dec. 1, 2022. Col. Christopher Cruise, 377 Test Evaluation Group commander, presided over the ceremony.
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CHIEF Boatswain's Mate (BWC) Geraldine Morvay, Leading CHIEF PETTY Officer 1ST Division, speaks into the 1MC microphone during preparations to get the fleet oiler USS WILLIAMETTE (AO-180) underway. Base: Pearl Harbor State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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USS Essex (LHD 2)US Navy
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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Freddie Grace, a drill instructor with Receiving Company, Support Battalion, inspects a new recruit's belongings during receiving at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Aug. 29, 2022. Receiving is the recruits first day at MCRD San Diego, where they were checked for contraband, given haircuts, made phone calls home, and issued gear.
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CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (June 9, 2022) The U.S. Navy flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels, C-130J logistics support aircraft, affectionately known as "Fat Albert," arrives at Spirit of St. Louis Airport, June 9, 2022. The Blue Angels are in the St. Louis area for the Spirit of St. Louis Airshow, which takes place June 11-12 and marks the St. Louis-made F/A-18 Super Hornet making its debut and return to the area.
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Fire Controlman 1st Class Dylan Devalk, Active Enlisted Recruiter of the Year from Navy Talent Acquisition Group Phoenix, receives an award from Rear Adm. Alexis Lex Walker, commander, Navy Recruiting Command.
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U.S. Marine Corps Col. Paul C. Merida, left, commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), speaks with French Navy Vice Adm. Olivier Lebas, commander of the Atlantic Maritime Region, during an office visit at the Prefecture Maritime De Brest, France, June 30, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd MEU, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, are on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
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Chief Master-at-Arms Stephen Vrobel, assigned to Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS), receives his anchors as he is promoted to chief petty officer during a pinning ceremony at CFAS Oct. 21, 2022. The rank of Chief Petty Officer was created April 1, 1893, and the Chief Petty Officer pinning ceremony is a unique tradition to the U.S. Navy that signifies promotion to a crucial position of leadership and responsibility.
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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Conant, outgoing 393rd Bomb Squadron commander, passes the unit flag to U.S. Air Force Col. Keith Butler, 509th Operations Group commander, during the 393rd Bomb Squadron change of command ceremony at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO, June 3 2022. This act symbolizes Conant relinquishing command of the 393rd Bomb Squadron to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Andrew Kousgaard, incoming 393rd Bomb Squadron commander.
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Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger hosts the Congressional Medal of Honor Ceremony, presented by President Ronald Reagan to MASTER Seargeant Roy P. Benavidez USA (Retired). Base: Pentagon State: District Of Columbia (DC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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220416-N-XO220-1038 ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 16, 2022) Lt. Brad Guillory, chaplain aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), leads Easter Vigil service for Sailors, April 16, 2022. George H.W. Bush provides the national command authority flexible, tailorable war fighting capability as the flagship of the carrier strike group which maintains maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Darrion Williams, an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, participates in an annual wreath-laying ceremony at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California, Feb. 6, 2024. This ceremony is an annual event to commemorate the life and legacy of the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, and is held every year on his birthday by presidential declaration. Marine Corps
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U.S. Marine Corps Col. Jason Burkett, commanding officer of Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, tosses beads to the parade crowd at the annual Krewe of Morpheus Parade in New Orleans, Feb. 9, 2024. Bead throwing is a staple of Mardi Gras parades and the tradition's origins trace back to the 1870s. Marine Corps
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050819-A-0575B-042. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Bagram Airfield State: Parwan Country: Afghanistan (AFG) Scene Major Command Shown: CJTF76
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U.S. Marine Corps drill instructors with Receiving Company, Support Battalion, instruct a recruit during receiving at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Dec. 5, 2022. Recruits were checked for contraband, given haircuts, made phone calls home, and issued gear.
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South Carolina, Parris Island USMC Base, US Marines Museum Parris Island, statue of General Chesty Puller, legendary US Marine
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221021-N-MH811-1100JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM (October 21, 2022) -- Twenty-eight new chief petty officers from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Naval Submarine Training Center Pacific, Submarine Readiness Squadron 33, USS Tucson (SSN 770), USS Hawaii (SSN 776), USS North Carolina (SSN 777) and USS Minnesota (SSN 783) were promoted during a pinning ceremony held at the USS Bowfin Museum in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Oct. 21.
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020402-J-9796L-007. State: Florida (FL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC
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220428-N-WF272-1145 PHILADELPHIA (April 28, 2022) Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class James Bell, a native of Freeport, Ill., assigned to Navy Talent Acquisition Group Philadelphia, responds to questions during a Junior Sailor of the Quarter board. The Sailor of the Quarter Program was established by the Chief of Naval Operations to recognize Navy personnel, E-6 and junior, who embody the Navy professionalism and personal dedication through sustained superior performance, leadership, self-improvement, command and community involvement, military bearing and appearance. NTAG Philadelphia encompasses regions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and West Virginia, providing recruiting services from more than 30 talent acquisition sites with the overall goal of attracting the highest quality candidates to ensure the ongoing success of Americas Navy.
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221021-N-EJ241-1141DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (Oct. 21, 2022) - Chief Information Systems Technician Joshua T. Handley, assigned to Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Far East Detachment Diego Garcia, receives his anchors from his sponsors during U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcias Chief Petty Officer pinning ceremony. Chiefs are recognized for exemplary technical expertise within their rating, superior administrative skills, strong leadership ability, and most importantly, chiefs bridge the gap between officers and enlisted personnel, acting as supervisors as well as advocates for their Sailors.
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is congratulates a graduating academy cadet during the U.S. Air Force Academys graduation ceremony, May 25, 2022. (DoD photo by Chad J. McNeeley)
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031015-D-8175W-004. Base: Randolph Air Force Base State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AETC
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U.S. Marines from Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), MarineCorps Air Station Cherry Point, hold the school door open for students atTucker Creek Middle School, Havelock, North Carolina, Aug. 29, 2022. H&HSrecently adopted Tucker Creek Middle School for the 2022-23 school year,where Marines will volunteer in the school and strengthen the relationshipbetween the air station and middle school.
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U.S. Marine Corps Col. Paul C. Merida, commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), attends an office visit at the Prefecture Maritime De Brest, France, June 30, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd MEU, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, are on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.
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MASTER CHIEF Avionics Technician Duane Bushey, left, the master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON), talks with CHIEF Hospital Corpsman Teresa Leal during his visit to the hospital ship USNS MERCY (T-AH-19). The MERCY is deployed to the gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT SHIELD Country: Unknown
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050105-N-5376G-003. Base: Banda Aceh Airport (BTJ) State: Sumatra Country: Indonesia (IDN)
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Ms. Radic Jelica, a local Bosnia woman hired by AAFES to work as a cashier at the Steel Castle Camp Post Exchange (PX) at Tuzla, rings up a purchase for 2LT Larry Doss, 17th Signal Battalion, attached to the 141st Signal Battalion out of Kitzingen, Germany. The PX is located inside a Deployable Rapid Assembly Shelter (DRASH) and supports IFOR and DOD personnel in Bosnia involved in Operation Joint Endeavor. Operation Joint Endeavor is a peacekeeping effort by a multinational Implementation Force (IFOR), comprised of NATO and non-NATO military forces, deployed to Bosnia in support of the Dayton Peace Accords. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Base: Steel Castle Base Camp, Tuzla Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)
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Col. Andrew Campbell, right, 374th Airlift Wing commander, welcomes Hiroyuki Sugiura, Mizuho town mayor, center, and his wife Kaiko Sugiura, during the Japanese-American Friendship Festivals distinguished visitor reception May 21, 2022, at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The mayors of Mizuho town, Fussa city, and Hamura city attended the event. The DV reception provided an opportunity for U.S. military leaders to celebrate the friendship between the U.S. and Japan alongside Japan Self-Defense Force and local Japanese community leaders. The two-day festival was an opportunity for visitors to learn more about the U.S. and Japan bilateral partnership, while strengthening the bonds between Yokota and the local communities. Yokota was able to host the event with the support of Japan Self-Defense Force, sister services and the local community.
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Annual Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally and related events on the National Mall, with Secretary Dirk Kempthorne among officials on hand
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040203-F-0881Z-033. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Baghdad International Airport Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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220813-N-WR119-1068 (COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.) Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Golde, outgoing commanding officer Navy Reserve Center (NRC) Colorado Springs congratulates Shannon Baumgartner for her service as command ombudsman during the change of command ceremony at U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum after assuming command. NRC Colorado Springs is manned by 12 active duty personnel responsible for the mobilization and readiness of 250 drilling reservists.
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Master Chief Navy Counselor Tanasha Fabian is pinned by her son Trevon Fabian and her mom Portia Evans during the aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) pinning ceremony. The rank of senior chief and master chief was created June 1, 1958, under an amendment to the Career Compensation Act of 1949. John F. Kennedy is the second Ford-class aircraft carrier and is under construction at the Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipyard.
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221021-N-CY569-1566 NORFOLK, Va. (Oct. 21, 2022) Chief Machinists Mate (Nuclear) Phillip Rogers is pinned by family members during a chief pinning ceremony in the hangar bay aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman is the flagship of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and is currently in port at Naval Station Norfolk.
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SAN DIEGO (March 31, 2023) - Master Chief Hospital Corpsman Jermy Brower, fleet corpsman at Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, gives a speech during a cake cutting ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma in celebration of the 130th birthday of the chief petty officer, March 31. The Navys chief petty officer rank was established 130 years ago on April 1, 1893.
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A crew member from the amphibious cargo ship USS DURHAM (LKA-114) is reunited with a loved one following the vessel's arrival in port. The DURHAM has returned to San Diego following deployment in the Persian gulf area during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Naval Air Station, San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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060119-F-0193C-009. Subject Operation/Series: FOX NEWS CHANNEL INTERVIEW Base: Pentagon State: District Of Columbia (DC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Master Sgt. Cassie Holly, Outstanding Airman of the Year award winner, is presented with a medal from Gen. Anthony Cotton, AFGSC commander during the Outstanding Airmen of the Year Medallion Ceremony May 9, 2022 at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Holly was one of six AFGSC Outstanding Airmen of the Year award recipients.
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Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken takes a photo with U.S. Marine Corps at U.S. Mission Colombia, in Bogota, Colombia, on October 21, 2021.
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SAN DIEGO (March 16, 2013) Actor Gerard Butler, from the upcoming movie Olympus Has Fallen,” takes photos with the crew of the of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) during a shipboard tour. The cast and crew of the movie toured Gridley and USS Kidd (DDG 100) before a sneak preview at Naval Base San Diego.
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Chaplain (LT. COL.) Larence R. Cusick gives a sermon during worship services held for participants in exercise Giant Warrior '89. Cusick is assigned to the 509th Combat Support Group. Subject Operation/Series: GIANT WARRIOR '89 Base: Phelps Collins Ang Base State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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060524-N-1371G-281. Base: USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)