Military Graduation Ceremonies

Photographs from various military graduation events, capturing award presentations and celebrations of service members' achievements and retirements.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David Bellon, Commander, Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces South, and Col. Garret Miller, former Assistant Chief of Staff of Facilities, MARFORRES, pose for a photo with Millers Certificate of Retirement at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan. 5, 2024. Miller retired after 28 years of honorable service. Bellon is a native of Saint Louis, Missouri, and a graduate of Chaminade College Preparatory School. Miller is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, and a graduate of Charlotte Christian High School.

Maj. Terrence Tysall presents Col. Mike Navarro, Senior Army National Guard Advisor to the Headquarters Department of the Army, with an Induction Honoree award to the 211th Regional Training Institute Hall of Fame, Class of 35 during the 2022 graduation ceremony for the Officer Candidate School Class of 61, Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, August 27, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Okonski receives a Distinguished Graduate Award during the graduation ceremony for Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Class 22-4, April 22, 2022, at the Lankford Enlisted Professional Military Education Center on McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in East Tennessee.

Family, friends and colleagues gathered at the Illinois Military Academy's auditorium Sept. 17, to celebrate the career of Col. Daniel Reichen and wish him well in future endeavors. Reichen retired as the Commander of the 129th Regimental Training Institute and most recently served as the Illinois National Guard's Director of Human Resources.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jesse Kaspala receives a Distinguished Graduate Award during the graduation ceremony for Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Class 22-4, April 22, 2022, at the Lankford Enlisted Professional Military Education Center on McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in East Tennessee.

U.S. Army Col. Kevin D. McMahan retires from the Washington Army National Gaurd after 31 years of service on Camp Murray, Wash., Aug. 6, 2022. McMahan was the former commander of the the 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, 96th Troop Command, and the 10th Homeland Response Force.

020802-A-2901G-001. Base: Redstone Arsenal State: Alabama (AL) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: NETCOM-SE

Sgt. Oshea Donaldson, 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, is inducted into the NCO Corps during the 18th Field Artillery Brigade NCO Induction Ceremony Jan.10, 2023 at the NCO Academy on Ft. Bragg, N.C. The ceremony recognized all newly promoted NCOs and welcomed them into the Corps.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roman Riedel, Airman Leadership School Class 22-D graduate, right, receives the Commandant Award at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 19, 2022. This award goes to the student who displays all the characteristics of a leader. Once all other factors are considered, the ALS commandant renders the final judgment on who receives this award.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David Bellon, Commander, Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces South, and Col. Garret Miller, former Assistant Chief of Staff of Facilities, MARFORRES, pose for a photo with Millers Certificate of Retirement at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan. 5, 2024. Miller retired after 28 years of honorable service. Bellon is a native of Saint Louis, Missouri, and a graduate of Chaminade College Preparatory School. Miller is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, and a graduate of Charlotte Christian High School.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Melanie Englert, 139th Mission Support Group deputy commander, receives a Certificate of Appreciation during her retirement ceremony at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri, April 30, 2022. Englert retired with 21 years of military service.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jacquita Melton assumed the role of Command Chief of the Ohio Air National Guard's 178th Wing in Springfield, Ohio during a change of authority ceremony held Dec. 3, 2022. Melton is the ninth command chief master sergeant of the Ohio National Guard's 178th Wing.

Maj. Gen. David J. Francis, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commander, presents Chief Warrant Officer 5 Bernd Knox, deputy, Army air-launched effects, Army aviation capability development, and integration directorate, with the Legion of Merit at Fort Rucker, Alabama, June 10, 2022. Knox received the award for his meritorious service during his career spanning over 28 years.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Phil Pedersen, right, is presented a Bronze Maintainer statue by the 126th Maintenance Group during his retirement ceremony at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois on Feb. 3, 2024. Pedersen celebrated a 40-year career in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard. Air National Guard

Inter-American Defense College Leadership Welcomes dignitaries from the Brazilian Ministry of Defense to the IADC on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., Sept. 21, 2022. During the visit, the dignitaries attended an office call with IADC Leadership, received an IADC brief, and concluded the visit with a tour of the campus.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman John Christopher Atis, Airman Leadership School Class 22-D graduate, left middle, receives his diploma at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 18, 2022. The graduates attended the 24-day, 192-hour course focusing on developing leadership abilities, the profession of arms, and building effective communication.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Ethan Ludwig, Airman Leadership School Class 22-D graduate, left middle, receives his diploma at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 18, 2022. The graduates attended the 24-day, 192-hour course focusing on developing leadership abilities, the profession of arms, and building effective communication.

U.S. Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve officers were awarded the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award during a ceremony at The Pentagon, Oct. 26. 2022. The award is presented annually to the top 28 company-grade officers for their outstanding leadership capabilities and their ability to find solutions to difficult problems.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Oscar Fletes, center, Airman Leadership School Class 22-G graduate, receives his diploma at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Oct. 27, 2022. The graduates attended a 24-day, 192-hour course focusing on developing leadership abilities, the profession of arms, and building effective communication.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Justin Huppe, Airman Leadership School Class 22-D graduate, left middle, receives his diploma at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 18, 2022. The graduates attended the 24-day, 192-hour course focusing on developing leadership abilities, the profession of arms, and building effective communication.

Sergeant 1st Class Kayla Downey, inactive duty training and digital training management system manager assigned to Joint Force Headquarters, Connecticut Army National Guard, was honored by Maj. Gen. Francis Evon, adjutant general for the Connecticut National Guard, and Maj. Gen. Lee Ellis, assistant deputy commanding general for National Guard affairs at U.S. Army Materiel Command, for his exceptional service at the 73th annual Connecticut Armed Forces Day Luncheon in Southington, Connecticut, May 20, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Shaniel Martin, center, Airman Leadership School Class 22-G graduate, receives her diploma at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Oct. 27, 2022. The graduates attended a 24-day, 192-hour course focusing on developing leadership abilities, the profession of arms, and building effective communication.

Members of the HKIA PRTF pose for a photo at the Air Rescue Assiciation Ball in Valdosta, Georgia, after being awarded the Jolly Green Mission of the Year, Sept. 10, 2022. The Air Rescue Association JGRMOY is a prestigious annual award to honor the exceptional service and performance of rescue professionals.

Col. Lucas Teel, 4th Fighter Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Peter Martinez, 4th FW command chief, present a trophy to Chief Master Sgt. Jasper Martin, 4th Maintenance Group maintenance operations senior enlisted leader, during a Chief Master Sergeant Recognition Ceremony at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, March 24, 2023. The event honored Seymour Johnsons Airmen recently selected for promotion to the Air Forces highest enlisted rank.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Josh Olson, outgoing 86th Airlift Wing commander, right, receives a legion of merit award from Maj. Gen. Derek France, Third Air Force commander, during a change of command ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, July 15, 2022. Olson received the award for meritorious service during his time as the 86 AW commander.

Royal Canadian Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew Podolas receives a Distinguished Graduate Award during the graduation ceremony for Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Class 22-4, April 22, 2022, at the Lankford Enlisted Professional Military Education Center on McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in East Tennessee.

U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo is presented with a plaque of appreciation for the State Department during the Toys for Tots ceremonial presentation event to the Marine Corps Reserve at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on December 10, 2018.

Col. Taona Enriquez, installation commander, left, and Chief Master Sgt. Alan Weary, installation command chief, right, present Senior Airman Benjamin Perez, 66th Security Forces Squadron Pass and Registration technician, the Academic Achievement Award during an Airman Leadership School graduation ceremony at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., July 14. Perez received the award goes to the student who achieves the highest summative scores throughout the class and who displays all characteristics of an effective leader. The recipient also must have fostered teamwork within the training environment.

U.S. Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve officers were awarded the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award during a ceremony at The Pentagon, Oct. 26. 2022. The award is presented annually to the top 28 company-grade officers for their outstanding leadership capabilities and their ability to find solutions to difficult problems.

Chief Master Sgt. Gary Reny, officially retired during a ceremony on Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, Sep. 10, 2022. Reny celebrated his retirement after 35 years of honorable military service with many family members and friends.

U.S. Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve officers were awarded the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award during a ceremony at The Pentagon, Oct. 26. 2022. The award is presented annually to the top 28 company-grade officers for their outstanding leadership capabilities and their ability to find solutions to difficult problems.

Brig. Gen. Rolf Mammen, 127th Wing Commander, Tech. Sgt. Raymond Stier, honor guard program manager, 127th Force Support Squadron and Chief Master Sgt. Rick Gordon, 127th Wing command chief, based in Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, pose after awarding Stier the Wings outstanding honor guard member of the year award. Stier and seven other individuals were awarded in different categories and will advance to the Michigan Air National Guard competition.

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Tony F. Thalachira, 175th Wing senior non-commissioned officer of the Year, Maryland Air National Guard, receives a plaque at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, Maryland, during the 2022 Airman Recognition Ceremony, December 4, 2022. The yearly event pays tribute to the outstanding achievements of the Maryland Air National Guard and names the wing's outstanding Airmen of the year.

U.S. Army Col. Kevin D. McMahan retires from the Washington Army National Gaurd after 31 years of service on Camp Murray, Wash., Aug. 6, 2022. McMahan was the former commander of the the 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry Regiment, 96th Troop Command, and the 10th Homeland Response Force.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Charles Costanza, left, 3rd Infantry Division Commanding General, inducts Dr. Bill Cathcart, right, a member of Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army, in the Order of Saint George during a ceremony at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Aug. 26, 2022. Appointed by the Secretary of the Army, CASA members act as a liaison between the Army and civilian communities and present any developing issues of Army life across the United States to the Secretary of the Army.

Lt. Gen. Scott Pleus, Seventh Air Force commander, presents the Legion of Merit to Col. John B. Gallemore, outgoing 8th Fighter Wing commander, during the wing change of command ceremony at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, May 26, 2022. Unlike many command positions within the U.S. Air Force, being the 8th FW commander, or Wolf,” means serving a one-year controlled tour.

Master Sgt. Daniel Fields, deputy commandant of the Command Sgt. Maj. Southern Buddy Hewitt Noncommissioned Officer Academy, thanks Hilton LaBow for speaking to the graduating class of the Basic Leader Course on Sept. 29 at the Multipurpose Auditorium at Fort Drum. (Photo by Mike Strasser, Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs)

Staff Sgt. John Cotto Feshold, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officer Academy - Fort Rucker small group leader of the year, receives the Army Commendation Medal from Command Sgt. Maj. Jose Perez, NCOA-Rucker Commandant at Fort Rucker, Alabama, April 27, 2022. Feshold, born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, enlisted in the military as an aviation operation specialist after graduating high school.

OICC China Lakes Operations Officer Commander Nathan Hardy being congratulated by Rear Admiral Dean VanderLey, Commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Pacific for winning the 2021 Society of American Military Engineers Moreell Medal during the 2022 Joint Engineer Training Conference and Expo in Denver, Colorado.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Martha Mqatash, member of the 47th Medical Group, accepts an award presented by Col. Craig Prather, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, and Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, Air Education and Training Command (AETC) commander, at the 80th Aniversario Annual Awards Ceremony in Del Rio, Texas, April 14, 2022. This event took place to honor outstanding military members at Laughlin Air Force Base and civilian leaders in Del Rio who support Laughlin and its mission.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Shawn Chaney, 86th Flying Training Squadron commander, accepts an award presented by Col. Craig Prather, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, and Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, Air Education and Training Command (AETC) commander, on behalf of Capt. Jason Sanchez at the 80th Aniversario Annual Awards Ceremony in Del Rio, Texas, April 14, 2022. This event took place to honor outstanding military members at Laughlin Air Force Base and civilian leaders in Del Rio who support Laughlin and its mission.

Rod McLean, Vice President and General Manager for Lockheed Martins Air Mobility & Maritime Missions, hands off the "Key of Delivery" to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Tom Carden, The Adjutant General of Georgia, and Maj. Gen. Konata A. Crumbly, the commander of the Ga. Air National Guard during a ceremony at Lockheed Martin in Marietta, Georgia on Jan 22, 2024.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Class Andrew Chapoton (center), 11th Airborne Division, alongside Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Vern Daley, commanding general and senior enlisted leader, respectively, after being presented the Soldier's Medal during a ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 12. Chapoton was awarded the medal, the highest honor a soldier can receive for an act of valor in a non-combat situation, for his actions May 30, 2022, when he helped extract three injured civilians from burning vehicles and assisted medical and law enforcement personnel at the crash site.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Corey Thobe takes command of the 121st Air Refueling Wing Civil Engineering Squadron from Lt. Col. Daryl Brezina at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Ohio, June 4, 2022. Thobe and Brezina were joined by their families for a Change of Command ceremony to commemorate the event.

Officer Candidate Chantal Worthy, receives the Erickson Trophy during an Officer Candidate School (OCS) graduation ceremony at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, August 27, 2022. The Erickson Trophy is awarded to the distinguished honor graduate. "It's an honor to earn this award, but it's really a product of everyone of my classmates," said Chantal, "This class is amongst the most selfless group of men and women I have ever served with."

U.S. Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Dakota Broderick, a Client Systems craftsman of the 133rd Test Squadron, right, is promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant at a ceremony at St. Edmonds Arena at Fort Dodge, Iowa, Sept. 10, 2022. Broderick and another Airman were promoted and two Airmen retired from the 133rd.

The El Paso Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Andrea Hutchins presents Brig. Gen. Michael J. Simmering, deputy commanding general of operations, 1st Armored Division, an official star-lighter certificate during the chamber's State of the Military event, August 4, 2022 at the Paso del Norte Hotel. This certificate signified that the El Paso star that resides in the Franklin mountains would be lit in his honor on the night of the fourth.

General (GEN) Eric K. Shinseki, CHIEF of STAFF of the US Army, administers the oath of office to General John M. Keane, as he becomes the Vice CHIEF of STAFF of the US Army. Terry, his wife, accompanies GEN Keane. Base: Pentagon State: District Of Columbia (DC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command presented 9 personnel with awards for ACC's 2022 Outstanding Airmen of the year April 28. OAY award winners were selected based on their performance and achievements put forward by members of their leadership.

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) held a Change of Command ceremony at its main headquarters on the Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Mississippi on Thursday, July 14. Col. Christian Patterson accepted the unit colors from Maj. Gen. Richard Heitkamp, deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as he assumed command as ERDCs twelfth commander.

Audric Bills, 88th Force Support Squadron director, presents Master Sgt. Kelly Graham, Chief Master Sgt. Grace A. Peterson Airman Leadership School commandant, with a plaque during the schools graduation ceremony May 5, 2022, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The graduating class was the last for Graham as she prepares to retire from the Air Force.

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Corey Jackson, 6 Airlift Squadron C-17 pilot, is awarded the distinguished flying cross with valor by Gen. Mike Minihan, Air Mobility Command commander, on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Nov. 1, 2022. The distinguished flying cross with valor is one of the highest awards for extraordinary achievement and is awarded for heroism while participating in aerial flight.

Dawn Ford, representing Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, was presented with the Military Health System 2023 Department of Defense Advancement Toward High Reliability in Healthcare Award for culture of safety, by Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez, assistant secretary of defense for health affairs; U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland, DHA director; and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Tanya Y. Johnson, senior enlisted leader for the DHA. Ford and her team won for their performance improvement project titled Reduction of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries. The awards were presented on Feb. 15 in National Harbor, Maryland.

Major General Colby M. Broadwater III, Deputy Commander of III Corps and Fort Hood, presents a stained glass III Corps plaque to a representative of the Korean American Cultural Foundation of Seoul, Korea who sponsored this salute to Korean War Veterans on the 50th Anniversary of the war's breakout. The event took place at the Palmer Theater on Fort Hood, Texas. Base: Fort Hood State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Members of the 117th Air Refueling Wing recieve awards at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base, Alabama, Aug 13, 2022. This was the first annual Enlisted Awards Banquet

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Big congratulations are in order for one of the Knights of the 16th Sustainment Brigade. SSG Ronnie Villahermosa, a Soldier currently assigned to 16th Special Troops Battalion, was awarded the Order of Saint Martin of Tour by COL Trotter, of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command. This Regimental award is the highest Chaplain Branch award and is reserved solely for individuals who display the character and embody the legacy of Saint Martin of Tours, the patron saint of the Chaplain Corps. This is no easy feat, for the award is not given often, and one must truly rise above and display the values and character traits similar to that of Saint Martin.

220420-A-BS696-2779CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.Col. Rick Allbritton, commander, Letterkenny Army Depot, and Todd Black, deputy to the commander, present employees with awards for 50 Years of Service at the virtual awards ceremony at the depot April 20. Pictured are Gary E. Cramer and Kenneth E. Nolen, including Col. Rick Allbritton, commander, Letterkenny Army Depot and Todd Black, deputy to the commander.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David Crowe, left, receives his appointment certificate from U.S. Army Lt. Col. Seth Allen, right, University of Connecticut ROTC professor of military science, during a commissioning ceremony held inside the auditorium of the Regional Training Institute at Camp Nett, Niantic, Connecticut, Sept. 6, 2022. Crowe will be an explosive ordnance disposal officer.

Inter-American Defense College Leadership hosts a hail and farewell ceremony on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2023. The ceremony was held to honorBrazilian Army Col. Thales Alencar as he prepares to departure his position at the IADC and return to his duties in Brazil.

From left to right, Army Lt. Gen. Jon A. Jensen, director of the Army National Guard, Sgt. Tyler Holloway, with the Wyoming Army National Guard, Sgt. Spencer Fayles, with the Utah Army National Guard and Command Sgt Maj. Spencer Nielsen, senior enlisted leader of the Utah National Guard, showcase Holloway and Fayles Meritorious Service Medal awards during the closing ceremony of the 2022 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition in Nashville, Tennessee, July 29, 2022. Fayles and Holloway received the awards after earning the titles of Army Guard Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, respectively. Both will go on to compete in the All-Army Best Warrior Competition at Fort Hill, Virginia, later in the year.

Capt. Taylor Bye poses with Kory Kolligian II and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., May 11, 2022. Bye was awarded the 2020 Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy to recognize her outstanding airmanship when her A-10C attack aircraft suffered a catastrophic gun malfunction and she safely performed a belly landing with the loss of the aircraft landing gear and canopy.

The Nevada Air National Guard Base, Reno, Nev. played host to the Outstanding Airmen of the Year Awards Banquet on Feb. 5, 2023, which honored the previous year's exceptional Airmen. The event was attended by Airmen, their families, and friends.

220519-N-UD000-1072 NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (May 19, 2022) Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, commander, Carrier Strike Group 10, awards Jana Aguilar a certificate of appreciation during a change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) May 19, 2022. During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Dennis Velez relieved Cheeseman, as Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10. 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.

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason Woodworth, left, commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and Michael Collier, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, pose for a photo during an award presentation at MCB Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 18, 2024. Collier received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and a Certificate of Commendation for more than 20 years of outstanding volunteer service with Camp Pendletons Executive Transition Assistance Seminar and his community.

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Martin Dempsey presents the Hall of Heroes induction plaque to Silvia Svehla, sister of Korean War Medal of Honor recipient Army Private 1st Class Henry Svehla, during a ceremony at the Pentagon, May 3, 2011. Defense Department

031030-A-1409B-001. Base: Fort Gordon State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

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

Inter-American Defense Board Leadership and guest celebrate the boards 80th anniversary at the Organization of American States building, Washington, D.C., March 30, 2022. During the celebration An Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Delegates was held in the Hall of the Americas of the Organization of American States. The meeting was attended by OAS authorities, Ambassadors of the Member States, Permanent Representatives, Secretaries of Defense and Commanders of the armed forces of the hemisphere, Delegates to the IADB and of the Observer Countries and the Inter-American Defense College, both in person and remotely.

The Nevada Air National Guard Base, Reno, Nev. played host to the Outstanding Airmen of the Year Awards Banquet on Feb. 5, 2023, which honored the previous year's exceptional Airmen. The event was attended by Airmen, their families, and friends.

John Jims receives the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award at the 2021 Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) Honorary Awards ceremony, June 17. Standing left to right: NSWCDD Technical Director, Dale Sisson, SES, Jims and NSWCDD Commanding Officer, Capt. Philip Mlynarski.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Recognition Ceremony, Apr. 28, 2022, Magnolia Halle, San Antonio, Texas. This event was held to honor all promotees to the rank of Chief Master Sgt.

230324-N-LN782-1165 (Mar. 24, 2023) U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command's Pass in Review in Great Lakes, Illinois, Mar. 24, 2023. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy's only boot camp

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The Nevada Air National Guard Base, Reno, Nev. played host to the Outstanding Airmen of the Year Awards Banquet on Feb. 5, 2023, which honored the previous year's exceptional Airmen. The event was attended by Airmen, their families, and friends.

US Air Force Colonel Dana Atkins, 20th Fighter Wing Commander, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, holds a certificate awarding the Distinguished Flying Cross to retired US Air Force Major Charles Bonner, a World War II B-17 pilot. MAJ Bonner received the Cross for his efforts in bringing his crippled aircraft and wounded crewmembers home to safety after a bombing mission over Germany. Base: Shaw Air Force Base State: South Carolina (SC) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service was honored with Army Emergency Relief's 2022 Jack Ritchie Distinguished Service Award. Since 2017, Exchange shoppers have donated $3.4 million to the relief fund, which provides assistance to Soldiers, retirees and Army families facing challenges.

Chief Master Sgt. Gary Reny, officially retired during a ceremony on Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, Sep. 10, 2022. Reny celebrated his retirement after 35 years of honorable military service with many family members and friends.

Brig. Gen. Rodney Fischer, commanding general, 104th Training Division, pins the Meritorious Service Medal on 1st Sgt. (retired) William J. Henderson during a retirement ceremony July 1 at the General George Patton Museum of Leadership, Fort Knox, Ky. The 104th Training Division hosted a ceremony to honor the retirement of four Soldiers with more than 100 years of combined service July 1 at the General George Patton Museum of Leadership, Fort Knox Kentucky - Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Mattingly, 1st. Sgt. James S. Ward, Henderson, and Sgt. 1st Class James Greco.

The Nevada Air National Guard Base, Reno, Nev. played host to the Outstanding Airmen of the Year Awards Banquet on Feb. 5, 2023, which honored the previous year's exceptional Airmen. The event was attended by Airmen, their families, and friends.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass pose with Lt. Col. Steven Cooper, recipient of the 2020 Lance P. Sijan USAF Leadership Award, senior officer category, during a ceremony at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., April 3, 2023. The award is named for Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Lance Sijan, who died while being held as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.

DA-SC-85-11208. Base: Arlington State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

240118-N-AW702-1004 NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. (Jan. 18, 2024) - Navy Cmdr. Craig McLemore (left), Inter-American Naval Telecommunications Network (IANTN) Secretary, presents the IANTN medal to Peruvian Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Juan Carlos Escobar Correa (right), for his services in support of the IANTN Secretariat and his promotion of the networks mission during a change of charge ceremony at the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet compound on Naval Station Mayport, Fla., Jan. 18, 2024. Established in 1962, IANTNs mission is to maintain a permanent link among naval authorities of the Americas. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command hosts the multi-national IANTN staff, which oversees IANTN detachments and operations centers in 19 partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America. USNAVSOUTH/FOURTHFLT is the trusted maritime partner for Caribbean, Central and South America maritime forces leading to improved unity, security and stability.

Inter-American Defense Board Leadership and guest celebrate the boards 80th anniversary at the Organization of American States building, Washington, D.C., March 30, 2022. During the celebration An Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Delegates was held in the Hall of the Americas of the Organization of American States. The meeting was attended by OAS authorities, Ambassadors of the Member States, Permanent Representatives, Secretaries of Defense and Commanders of the armed forces of the hemisphere, Delegates to the IADB and of the Observer Countries and the Inter-American Defense College, both in person and remotely.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Recognition Ceremony, Apr. 28, 2022, Magnolia Halle, San Antonio, Texas. This event was held to honor all promotees to the rank of Chief Master Sgt.

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Jurasek, deputy commanding general for support, First U.S. Army, presents Master Sgt. Adriana Silvestru, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, with the U.S. flag during the quarterly retirement ceremony held June 2 in Heritage Hall, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Micheal Connor, ASC Public Affairs)

U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Andrew Tiongson, commander of Pacific Area, presents a gift to Air Commodore Guy Wilson, Active Commander of Maritime Border Command, in Canberra, Australia, Feb. 6, 2023. U.S. Coast Guard and Australian Border Force senior leaders discussed best practices, cooperation, and partnerships to encourage a free and open Indo-Pacific.

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- The Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS) hosts formal graduation ceremony for Semester 23-1 at command facilities located on the Stennis Space Center in South Mississippi, Dec. 8.The ceremony featured 48 security force professionals from Colombia and Costa Rica who participated in the security cooperation schoolhouses Diesel Systems Overhaul and Maintenance, International Tactical Communications, Outboard Motor Maintenance and Overhaul, Technical Welding and Applied Repairs, Patrol Craft Riverine, and UAS Operations and Planning courses.NAVSCIATTS currently operates under U.S. Special Operations Command in support of Foreign Security Assistance and geographic combatant commanders' theater security cooperation priorities. To date, more than 13,000 students from 125 partner nations have trained with this Naval Special Warfare command. (Photo by Michael Williams)

GREAT LAKES (Sep. 29, 2022) Firefighter-EMT David Cullen, Great Lakes Fire & Emergency Services, received a CNIC Fire & Emergency Services Life Saving Award certificate from Capt. Jason J. Williamson, Naval Station Great Lakes commanding officer (left), and Capt. Kertreck V. Brooks, Recruit Training Command commanding officer, related to life saving actions on June 7, 2022. Opened in 1911, NSGL is the Navys largest training installation and the home of the Navys only Boot Camp. Located on over 1600 acres overlooking Lake Michigan, the installation includes 1,153 buildings with 39 on the National Register of Historic Places. NSGL supports over 50 tenant commands and elements as well as over 20,000 Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, and DoD civilians who live and work on the installation.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., right, poses with Air Chief Marshal Fadjar Prasetyo, chief of staff of the Indonesian Air Force, after a meeting at the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., May 19, 2022. Brown and Prasetyo discussed partnership between their services.

Dr. Steven Cersovsky, Army Public Health Center deputy director and APHC COVID-19 Task Force lead, accepts the 2021 Army Medicine Annual Wolf Pack award from Col. Alisa Wilma, APHC director, during a ceremony held at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, Conference Center April 21, 2022. The Wolf Pack award, which is sponsored by the Army Medical Command Civilian Corps, recognizes exceptional teamwork by an integrated group of Army Medicine civilians and military team members focused on excellence in support of Army Medicine, and was presented to the Army Public Health Center COVID-19 Task Force for outstanding meritorious service during the period of March 13, 2020 to March 31, 2021.

Coast Guard Cmdr. Mike Cortese, chief of response at Sector Houston-Galveston, presents awards to Galveston County Emergency Services personnel during a ceremony at the sector in Houston, Texas, Oct. 26, 2022. When a towing vessel and two recreational vessels collided near Goat Island on July 30, 2022, Galveston County EMS and Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department worked alongside a Coast Guard Station Galveston crew to rescue six people from the water.

Inter-American Defense College Leadership Welcomes Brazilian Ministry of Defense Curso de Política, Estratégia e Alta Administração do Exército (CPEAEx) Leadership, Students and Staff to the IADC on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., Oct. 4, 2022. During the visit, the students were briefed by leadership and received a class by a college faculty, and toured the IADC Campus.

040128-F-4406B-093. Base: Colorado Springs State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: AFSPC

Maj. Gen. David Wilson, commanding general, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, and senior mission commander, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, presents the Certificate of Retirement signed by the Army chief of staff to Sgt. 1st Class Gayle McGary, Materiel Management noncommissioned officer, ASC, Sept. 27, at the installation quarterly retirement ceremony. (Photo by Linda Lambiotte, ASC Public Affairs)

Maj. Gen. David Wilson, commanding general, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, and senior mission commander, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, presents the Certificate of Appreciation signed by the president to 1st Sgt. Linda Lee-Tucker, Operations sergeant major, 108th Training Command, U.S. Army Reserve, Sept. 27, at the installation quarterly retirement ceremony. (Photo by Linda Lambiotte, ASC Public Affairs)

Veterans' Employment and Training Service - Veterans Day Salute Awards

Army Brig. Gen. Jason Benson, the Assistant Division Commander - Maneuver of the Minnesota National Guards 34th Red Bull Infantry Division, is promoted during an event at the Minnesota State Capitol on January 13, 2024. The promotion comes as Benson and more than 500 fellow Red Bulls prepare for an upcoming deployment to the Middle-East later this year.We do not promote people to brigadier general because that of which they have already done, said Army Maj. Gen. Charles Kemper, 34th Infantry Division Commander. "We promote them based on the potential they have to lead.

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