Military Ceremony and Formation

Images depict soldiers in uniform standing in formation for a military ceremony, showcasing camaraderie and discipline. The atmosphere is formal with flags and military regalia.

Airmen from the 335th Training Squadron march to their dormitories after class at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Oct. 18, 2022. The 335th TRS trains Airmen in the weather, financial management, manpower and personnel, education and training and force support career fields.

U.S. and Polish soldiers participate in the Opening Ceremony for Poland's first Long Term Equipment Storage and Maintenance-Complex at Air Base Powidz, April 5, 2023. The LTESM-C is NATO's most significant single infrastructure investment in more than 30 years and will be able to host a U.S. brigade's worth of combat-ready military equipment.

Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division stand in formation prior to marching the pass and review during a Transfer of Authority Ceremony on April 5, 2023, at the Carol I National Defense University in downtown Bucharest. The 10th Mountain Division headquarters is deployed to Europe to support the mission, assure allies and partners, and deter further Russian aggression.

New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen take part in the 2022 New Jersey National Guard Military Review at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, New Jersey, Oct. 16, 2022. The Military Review is a 130-year-old tradition that allows the governor as commander-in-chief to review the Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Scott Eberle and Command Sgt. Maj. Shaun Collins, the command team of the 382nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, render a salute at they uncased their battalion colors during a ceremony in which the 336th CSSB transfers authority to the 382nd. These battalions are subordinate to the 369th Sustainment Brigade while forward deployed to the CENTCOM area of operations.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Nicholas Ochs, 29th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, passes the colors during a change of responsibility ceremony at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, Jan. 6, 2023. Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Ingle relinquished responsibility to Ochs following 26 months in the position.

117th Air Refueling Wing Members participate in a 9/11 remembrance at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama, Sept. 11, 2022. Chaplain (Capt.) Eric Guiffreda led wing members in prayer.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Matthew Kelley, commander of 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division greets French President Emmanuel Macron at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania, June 15, 2022. The U.S. Army's presence and commitment to the defense of our allies are important symbols of assurance and provide deterrence against potential adversaries.

Airmen from the 335th Training Squadron march to their dormitories after class at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Oct. 18, 2022. The 335th TRS trains Airmen in the weather, financial management, manpower and personnel, education and training and force support career fields.

U.S. Army Gen. Darryl A. Williams, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, passes the colors to Brig. Gen. Maurice Barnett during a change of command ceremony July 12 in Sembach, Germany. Brig. Gen. Maurice Barnett assumed the command of 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command from Maj. Gen Greg Brady.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. William M. Jurney, outgoing commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force, addresses II MEF Marines after a rehearsal in preparation for the change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, August 17, 2022. Lt. Gen. Jurney relinquished command to Lt. Gen. David A. Ottignon on August 18, 2022.

U.S. Marines with The Basic School march on the colors during the Warfighting Instructor Battalion change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, June 10, 2022. During the ceremony, U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Erik C. Quist, outgoing commanding officer, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Christopher D. Upton, on-coming commanding offier.

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Lawrence Reeve Jr. (left), a maintenance chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269, and Lt. Col. Ralph Tompkins, commanding officer of HMLA-269, stand at attention during a deactivation ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Dec. 9, 2022. HMLA-269 deactivated in accordance with Force Design 2030 after 51 years of service. HMLA-269 was a subordinate unit of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

040519-F-0718S-103. Complete Scene Caption: Members of the Joint Officiating Party for Exercise COMBINED ENDEAVOR 2004, Pass and Review the troops, during the Closing Ceremonies for Exercise COMBINED ENDEAVOR 2004, at Lager Aulenbach, Germany. The Exercise is a US European Command (USEUCOM) sponsored exercise, designed to identify and document command, control, communications, and computer (C4) interoperability between North American Treaty Organization (NATO) and Partnership for Peace nations. Pictured left-to-right: US Navy (USN) Captain (CAPT) Stephen A. Ewell; German Army Lieutenant General (LGEN), Ulf von Krause, Joint Support Commander; US Army (USA) Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) James Hogle; and US Air Force (USAF) Major General (MGEN) Jeffrey B. Kohler. Base: Lager Aulenbach State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, stand in line at the armory during an M16A4 service rifle issue at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Sept. 26, 2022. Recruits were issued rifles and briefed on their responsibilities regarding rifle security, safety and handling.

The 324th Military Police Battalion color guard participates in the 324th MP Battalion Change of Command Ceremony here in Fort Hunter Liggett, California.

U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division participate in the Division Review Rehearsal, Sept. 28, 2022, on Fort Bragg, North Carolina. All American Week consists of many sporting events, the Old Timers Breakfast, a memorial ceremony, 10-miler, family fun run, 34-foot tower, Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and concludes with the Divisions pass and review to celebrate Americas Guard of Honors culture and legacy.

Cadets from the U.S. Military Academy West Point Cadet Color Guard march onto the field before the game between the Black Knights and the Georgia State Panthers on October 2, 2022. The color guard lead the way for the rest of the cadets as they marched onto the field to pay tribute to the 1st Infantry Division being honored this week.

FORT HOOD, Texas - Members of the Fort Hood honor detail carry one of the Nov. 5 shooting victims past fellow Soldiers to the waiting aircraft. The 12 Soldiers and one civilian were flown from Fort Hood to Dover Air Force Base, Del. Nov 6.

U.S. Army Col. Bruce Bredlow, deputy commander of 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, marches the color guard during a change in command ceremony July 12 in Sembach, Germany. Brig. Gen. Maurice Barnett assumed the command of 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command from Maj. Gen Greg Brady.

U.S. Soldiers with the 10th AAMDC render honors during a change of command ceremony, July 12, 2022 at Sembach Kaserne, Germany. The command's lineage dates from July 1, 1942 when it was first constitutes as the 10th Coast Artillery (Harbor Defense) at Fort Adams, Rhode Island. It deploys worldwide to conducts joint and combined/coalition air and missile defense operations in the U.S. European command area of operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Henry French, sergeant major of 7th Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, gives opening remarks for a Thanksgiving potluck for 7th ESB on Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 23, 2022. 7th ESB deployment readiness coordinator hosted a potluck for Marines that live in the barracks in order to build camaraderie and unit cohesion during the holiday season.

FORT HOOD, Texas- U.S. Army Col. Daryl S. von Hagel stands at attention in front of the 166th Aviation Brigade on June 13, 2022 at Fort Hood, Texas. Most recently, von Hagel was the Chief of Staff for the Command Assessment Program Directorate, Mission Command Center of Excellence in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

The 75th Ranger Regiment Color Guard posts the colors during the Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument commemoration ceremony, June 5, 2018 in Cricqueville en Bessin, France. This year marks the 74th anniversary of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 -- most commonly known as D-Day. An epic multinational amphibious and airborne operation, D-Day forged partnerships and reinforced transatlantic bonds that remain strong today. Overall, U.S. service members from 20 units in Europe and the U.S. will participate in events and ceremonies May 30-June 7, 2018, in almost 40 locations throughout the Normandy region of France as part of Joint Task Force Normandy 74.

Airmen from the 8th Security Forces Squadron present colors during Police Week 2022 opening ceremony at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 16, 2022. National Police Week pays special recognition to law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

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.

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) color guard presents the colors during the official ceremony of the 78th year commemoration of Operation Market Garden at Sint-Oedenrode, Netherlands, Sept. 18, 2022. As the Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) commemorate Market Garden 78, the 101st will continue to remain committed to collective defense and cooperative security alongside European allies and partners.

Airmen with the 914th Security Forces Squadron participate in a Fallen Defenders ceremony and ruck march May 14, 2022 on Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, New York. The mission of the ceremony and 8.4-mile march was to honor their fallen brothers and sisters. Airmen added non-perishable food items in their ruck pack to add weight; items were later donated to a local veterans non-profit organization.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Paul D. Godson (center), the outgoing commander of the 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, passes the battalion colors to U.S. Army Col. Brian E. McCarthy (right), commander of the 1st ABCT, 1st Inf. Div., during a combined change of command ceremony, July 15, 2022, at the Fort Riley, Kansas, Cavalry Parade Field. The passing of the colors is a historic military tradition that symbolizes the transfer of leadership from one commander to another.

U.S. Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade salute the U.S. flag during a ceremonial uncasing of their flag, streamers and colors following the units arrival to the Grafenwöhr Training Area in Grafenwöhr, Germany, Oct. 6, 2022. After many years, the 101st Airborne Division once again joins the 1st Infantry Division in Europe to work alongside other NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps.

U.S. Army Reserve soldiers assign to Alpha Company, 392nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 359th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade, prepares to head overseas to their assigned missions in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. Maj. Gen. Tina Boyd presided over the ceremony and was joined by members of the community to include Army Reserve Ambassadors COL (Ret) Edna Cummings, CW5 (Ret) Phyllis Wilson, American Legion Post 22 Towson and the Coast Guard Chief Warrant and Warrant Officers Association (CWOA).

The 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade command team stands ready to conduct a change of command ceremony July 6, 2022 when the former commander, Col. Judson Gillett, handed the command over to the incoming commander, Col. Ryan L. Schrock.

000606-A-3254M-054. Base: Fort Irwin State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: FORSCOM

220805-N-ZS023-1110 SAN DIEGO (Aug 5, 2022) Sailors from Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) Blue Crew stand in formation during a change of command ceremony held on Naval Base San Diego. LCS are fast, agile, mission-focused platforms designed to operate in near-shore environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe.

The cannon fire team renders honors to the 1st Cavalry Division's commanding general, Maj. Gen. John B. Richardson IV, during its 101st birthday celebration Sep. 19 on Cooper Field at Fort Hood, Texas. The division celebrated its birthday with friendly competitions and ceremonies to build camaraderie amongst First Team Troopers, Sep. 12-16 at Fort Hood, Texas. The ceremony concluded the week-long celebration, thousands of Troopers and local community members attended a ceremony.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Austin Pruneda, commander of the 378th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, relinquishes command of his unit to Brig. Gen. William Betts, commander of the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, during the unit's 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.

The New Jersey National Guard Color Guard stands at the position of attention during the 2022 New Jersey National Guard Military Review in Sea Girt, New Jersey, Oct. 16, 2022. New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are reviewed annually by New Jerseys governor in this 130-year-old event.

Task Force Thunder, 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi Army National Guard, took command of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine mission under 7th Army Training Command (7ATC) from Task Force Bowie, 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Arkansas Army National Guard, on Jan. 5, 2024. Under the guidance of U.S. European Command, U.S. Army Europe and Africa, and Security Assistance Group-Ukraine, 7ATC leads the training and is supported and supported by a myriad of other organizations from across the U.S. Army. This training of Armed Forces of Ukraine has been conducted in Germany since April 2022.

Recruits with Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion execute drill movements during Final Drill practice at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Dec. 7, 2022. Final Drill tests drill instructors on their ability to give drill commands and tests recruits on their ability to execute the movements properly.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Jay M. Bargeron addresses Marines of 3d Marine Division following a battle colors rededication ceremony at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan on Sept. 13, 2022. The ceremony commemorates the Divisions 80th Anniversary and its legacy of valor, honor, and fidelity. The 3d Marine Division was activated at Camp Elliot, San Diego, Sept. 16, 1942 and has taken part in combat operations from World War II and Vietnam through Iraq and Afghanistan. The current Marines of 3d Marine Division continue to build on this legacy today as a critical part of the stand-in force within the first island chain of the Indo-Pacific.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Timothy Newkirk, left, the incoming commanding officer with 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, shakes hands for a photo in front of the color guard with Lt. Col. Brian Riordan, the outgoing commanding officer of 4th LAR Bn., after a change of command ceremony in the 41 Area on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 16, 2022. The battalion consists of seven reserve companies across the U.S., with the headquarters located on Camp Pendleton.

U.S. Marine Maj. Duane Blank, a company-level inspector-instructor with 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, stands at the position of attention during a change of command ceremony for the 4th LAR Bn. inspector-instructors in the 41 Area of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 23, 2022. The battalion consists of seven reserve companies across the U.S., with the headquarters located on Camp Pendleton. Blank is a native of White Castle, Louisiana.

Col. Ethan J. Diven, commander of the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd Armored Brigade Combat team, 3rd Infantry Division, places the division patch on an incoming Soldier to the Spartan Brigade during a division patching ceremony at Cashe Garden on Fort Stewart, June 21, 2022. The Spartan Brigade is the tip of the spear on the Marne Division's glide path to become the U.S. Army's most modern division in 2023.

Lt. Col. Eric Megerdoomian posts in front of the Color Guard during the casing of their battalion's colors, June 1, 2022, Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea. This casing of colors ceremony symbolizes the squadrons movement from their current deployed area of operations returning their home station.

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.

000508-N-6219G-017. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD 2000 Base: Camp Sameasan Country: Thailand (THA)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Michael Vincent, the outgoing commanding officer of Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, passes the battalion colors to Lt. Col. Emmaline Hill, the commanding officer of CLB-6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, during a change of command ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 13, 2022. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Emmaline Hill assumed command of CLB-6 from Lt. Col. Michael Vincent.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Francis Donovan, the outgoing commanding general of 2d Marine Division, receives honors at a change of command ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 18, 2022. During the ceremony, Donovan relinquished command of the division to Brig. Gen. Calvert Worth.

070319-M-5865P-001. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Al Asad State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: TASK FORCE 3 3RD MEDCOM

The Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. addresses Basic Military Training trainees April 9, 2022, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The general spoke about his five life lessons and shared personal stories of success and failures with more than 3,000 trainees. Brown also met with San Antonio community leaders, military training instructors and participated in the San Antonio Fiesta Flambeau parade.

U.S. Soldiers with the Medical Readiness Command-Europe attend a redesignation ceremony on Sep. 30, 2022 in Landstuhl, Germany. Regional Health Command-Europe redesignated to MRC-EUR.

Brig. Gen. Jon Harrison, assistant adjutant General - Army, Oklahoma National Guard, addresses Soldiers from Task Force Lexington during their departure ceremony in Lexington, Oklahoma, June 12, 2022. Roughly 100 Soldiers assigned to Task Force Lexington are preparing to deploy to the Middle East in support of Inherent Resolve. Task Force Lexington is comprised of aviators, flight medics, aircraft maintainers, and fuel technicians from multiple companies under 90th Troop Command. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

Recruits with Oscar Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion execute drill movements during Final Drill practice at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Dec. 7, 2022. Final Drill tests drill instructors on their ability to give drill commands and tests recruits on their ability to execute the movements properly.

060501-A-5399B-047. Base: Fort Hood State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The U.S. Army 35 series individual MOS winners of the 2024 Top Intelligence competition (TOPINT) prepare to be awarded at 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.

Command Sgt. Maj. James R. Holmes III and graduates of class 09-22 of the 7th Army Training Comand (7ATC) Non-Commissioned Officer Academy's (NCOA) Basic Leadership Course present arms for the playing of the national anthem in Grafenwoehr, Germany, Aug. 30, 2022. The 7ATC NCOA mission is to train and develop future leaders who are adaptive, disciplined, and ready to lead effectively at the squad and team levels.

U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Jeremiah J. Sherman, headquarters commandant for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, retires at the Beirut Memorial, Jacksonville, North Carolina, April 14, 2022. Sherman retired from active duty after 23 years of honorable and faithful service.

The 1st Marine Division Band marches during a pass in review as part of a relief and appointment ceremony for 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st MARDIV, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 23, 2024. During the ceremony, Sgt. Maj. Douglas E. Gardner relinquished his role as the battalions senior enlisted leader to Sgt. Maj. Ray A. Molina. Marine Corps

New U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, march in formation during a family day ceremony at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 15, 2022. After 13 weeks of training, the new Marines reunited with their friends and family for a day of on-base liberty.

040527-M-3856G-060. Base: Mcas, Beaufort State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

070308-M-4314O-007. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Taqaddum State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: CLB-2

Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment welcomed Class 23-006 on 21 October 2022 with an early understanding of the legacy theyll carry and the kind of warfighter theyll be 22 weeks later.The event The First 100 Yards, an homage to their lineage of closing the last 100 yards of the fight, incorporates teamwork into a competition that features mental and physical challenges.

U.S. Marines with 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division, and members of the Northern Army, Japan Self- Defense Force, participate in the closing ceremony for exercise Resolute Dragon 22 at Yausubetsu Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 14, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Chad Monroe, squadron commander of Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division (3-6 CAV) passes the battalion colors to Cpt. Marco A. Montesdeoca, incoming commander of 3-6 CAV during a change of command ceremony at Lielvārde, Latvia, Oct. 10, 2022. The 3-6 CAV 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. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force take their position in the reviewing area during the I MEF 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

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Maurice L. Williams, command chief, Air National Guard, addresses Airmen of the 190th Air Refueling Wing during an enlisted all-call at Forbes Field ANG Base, Topeka, Kansas, April 2, 2023. Williams responded to various questions asked by the enlisted members of the 190th ARW.

New Jersey National Guard Soldiers and Airmen practice prior to the 2022 New Jersey National Guard Military Review at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, New Jersey, Oct. 16, 2022. The Military Review is a 130-year-old tradition that allows the governor as commander-in-chief to review the Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard.

U.S. Army Cpt. Jonathan L. Key, commander of troops, and color guard, render a salute to the outgoing support battalion commander to start the 196th Infantry Brigade Support Battalion change of command ceremony, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, June 9, 2022. This event is signified by honoring the outgoing commander and receiving the incoming commander.

Members of the Oklahoma National Guard present the colors during a Memorial Day ceremony hosted by the 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City, May 30, 2022. The museum has held military remembrance ceremonies since its establishment in September 1976. (Oklahoma National Guard photo by Sgt. Reece Heck)

Soldiers of the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade uncased their colors Oct. 18, officially marking their return home following a six-month-long deployment to the Europe and the United States Central Command. Since the spring of 2022, teams of security advisors from the 3rd SFAB have maintained a presence in more than 10 countries in Europe and the Middle East.

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Jerry Manzanares, the senior enlisted advisor of operations and training for 3rd Infantry Division, gives a welcome brief during XVIII Airborne Corps Best Squad Competition on Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 25, 2022. The Best Squad Competition tests squads physical, technical and tactical abilities under stress and fatigue to determine which squad from the XVIII Airborne Corps will advance to the Forces Command Best Squad Competition in the coming months.

010515-F-1379L-004. Subject Operation/Series: COBRA GOLD 01 Base: Phitsanulok Country: Thailand (THA)

U.S. Marines with the MCRD San Diego band play the Marines' Hymn during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 28, 2023. Col. Carlos Jackson relinquised command to Col. Christopher McGuire, who took charge as the Executive Officer of Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Recruit Depot, San Diego.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Basic cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2026 practice drill movements, cadence, customs and courtesies during Basic Cadet Training, July 6, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong)

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kwame O. Boateng, commander of the 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division passes the colors to Col. Eugene J. Ferris, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division as a sign of relinquishing command during a Change of Command Ceremony on Grafenwoehr, Germany, May 22, 2022. Lt. Col. Kwame O. Boateng relinquishes command of the 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion to Lt. Col. Damon M. Torres.

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - Basic cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy's Class of 2026 practice drill movements, cadence, customs and courtesies during Basic Cadet Training, July 6, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo/Joshua Armstrong)

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Tresia Huell, 733d Mission Support Group command Sgt. Maj., leads the presenting of the colors during the 733d MSG change of command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, June 23, 2022. The posting of the colors is a practice conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces at the beginning of particular ceremonies.

U.S. Marines with 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, salute past and present commanding officers of 11th Marine Regiment during the pass in review portion of a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 30, 2022. During the ceremony, Col. Daniel Skuce relinquished command of 11th Marine Regiment to Col. Patrick Eldridge.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. James B. Conway, the outgoing commanding officer of the 12th Marine Corps District, gives a speech during a change of command and retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, July 15, 2022. Conway relinquished command of the 12th Marine Corps District to Col. Mike E. Ogden, the oncoming commanding officer. A change of command ceremony is a time-honored tradition which formally signifies the transfer of command and entails the total accountability, authority, and responsibility from one individual to another.

Col. Marc Welde, commander of the 32d Medical Brigade, left, passes the unit colors to Lt. Col. Genna Speed, the incoming commander of the 232d Medical Battalion, center, while 232d MED BN Command Sgt. Maj. Lori Ingram, right, looks on during the 232d MED BN change of command ceremony held at the U.S. Army Medical Department Amphitheater, on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, June 13, 2022. The passing of the colors during the ceremony signifies the change of leadership from Lt. Col. Manuel Menendez, outgoing commander, to the incoming commander Lt. Col. Speed.

U.S. Marines with the U.S. Marines Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC) band participate in the MARFORPAC change of command ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Sept. 7, 2022. Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder relinquished command to Lt. Gen. William M. Jurney. With two-thirds of the Marine Corps operating forces assigned, MARFORPAC operates in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, the largest Geographical Combatant Command in the U.S. Department of Defense.

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, retire a batterys guidon at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 10, 2024. The ceremony officially redesignated Bravo Battery, 1st Bn., 11th Marines, as Hotel Battery, 2nd Bn., 11th Marines. The redesignation was part of a larger reorganization of 11th Marines under Force Design.

U.S. Marines with Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, conduct a hike to finish the crucible at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Feb. 21, 2024. The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor ceremony is the final event of The Crucible and represents the transformation of recruit to Marine. Marine Corps

U.S. Air Force Maj. David Yu, commander of the 378th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron, takes command of the unit from Brig. Gen. William Betts, commander of the 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, during the unit's 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.

220801-N-TT639-1028 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 1, 2022) - Sailors assigned to the color guard parade the colors during a change of command ceremony on the flight deck of amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), August 1, 2022. Tripoli is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Tough Ombres from the 90th Sustainment Brigade conduct a change of command ceremony on Camp Pike in North Little Rock, Arkansas today. U.S. Army Reserve Brig. Gen. Kevin Meisler, Commander of the 4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), is officiating the ceremony.Col. Stephen M. Pazak is relinquishing command to Col. Dixon T. Brockbank from Perry, Utah after serving as the brigade's commander since June 1, 2020.

020412-F-4338B-016. Base: Ellsworth Air Force Base State: South Dakota (SD) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: ACC

Outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Damon Woolever relinquishes Responsibility of the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery to Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Gregerson during a Change of Responsibility ceremony on Aug. 9, 2022, Fort Bragg, NC. Paratroopers thanked Woolever for his work over the past 21 months and remain excited to see where Gregerson will take the Division Artillery next.

Members from Idahos Joint Forces Headquarters and the 124th Fighter Wing tour the Idaho Youth Challenge Academy, Oct. 21, 2022 in Pierce, Idaho. IDYCA is a state-run, quasi-military, in-residence, alternative highschool program focused on rehabilitating at-risk youth.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the Bravo Company, 307th Military Intelligence Brigade, stand at the position of attention position during the change of command ceremony at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, Feb. 16, 2024. Army

Special operations forces from Georgia, Poland, United Kingdom, Slovakia and the United States stand in formation at closing ceremonies of Noble Partner 22 at the 11th polygon of Vaziani, Georgia, Sept. 9, 2022. The Noble Partner Exercise consists of 2,400 military personnel from more than 21 countries and is designed to enhance Georgian, regional ally, partner, and U.S. forces readiness.

U.S. Soldiers with the Medical Readiness Command-Europe attend a redesignation ceremony on Sep. 30, 2022 in Landstuhl, Germany. Regional Health Command-Europe redesignated to MRC-EUR.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Scott F. Benedict, commanding general of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), salutes the colors during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, July 11, 2022. The ceremony represented a transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from Sgt. Maj. Jacob M. Reiff to Sgt. Maj. Joy M. Kitashima. 2nd MAW is the aviation combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to V Corps carry the American and French flags during a ceremony honoring the fallen U.S. troops in Operation Overlord or D-Day at the Normandy American Cemetery in Coleville, France, May 29, 2022. On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 soldiers from the Allied Forces stormed Normandy Beach in what is known as the largest seaborne invasion in history. Approximately 4,000 Soldiers lost their lives, and the battle changed the course of World War ll. (U.S. Army photograph by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. NaTasha M. Everly, left, outgoing commanding officer of Weapons Training Battalion (WTBN) Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Lejeune, stands alongside the color guard after the WTBN MCB Camp Lejeune change of command ceremony concludes on MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 1, 2022. WTBN Camp Lejeune serves to provide facilities and support for marksmanship training, re-qualification, and competition shooting for the Marines of Marine Forces, Atlantic and Marines that visit from throughout the world.

010914-F-8118G-006. Base: Dover Air Force Base State: Delaware (DE) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AMC

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.

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. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. William J. Bowers, right, outgoing commanding general, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, and Maj. Gen. Stephen E. Liszewski, left, incoming commanding general, MCIPAC, MCBB, stand during a change of command ceremony outside of MCIPACs Headquarters Building, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, on June 24, 2022. Change of command ceremonies allow individuals to witness the official passing of authority change between officers. During the ceremony, the outgoing commander passes the units guidon to the incoming commander, symbolizing the transfer of authority, responsibility, and total commitment to all Marines and Sailors.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jay Palmer, incoming commanding officer of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152, gives a speech during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 9, 2022. VMGR-152 hosted a change of command ceremony in order to formally recognize the total transfer of authority from Lt. Col. Christopher Kocab to Lt. Col. Jay Palmer.

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) color guard presents the colors July 4 during the Salute to the Nation ceremony at the Division Parade Field as part of the installations Independence Day celebration.

of 4