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Military Retirement Ceremonies

Photos capturing emotional moments during military retirement ceremonies, commemorating service members' years of dedication and commitment.

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Bishop receives the Meritorious Service Award for his time as the 131st Logistics Readiness Squadron commander at Whiteman Air Force Base Missouri, Sept. 11, 2022. He relinquished command to work at the Air National Guard Readiness Center in Maryland supporting the Manpower and Personnel Directorate.

Public Affairs Specialist and Newspaper Editor Scott T. Sturkol with the Fort McCoy Public Affair Office receives a United States Army Material Command Award Certificate from Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. Stephen Messenger on Aug. 4, 2022, at Fort McCoy, Wis. Sturkol earned a first place and an honorable mention in the 2021 Army Material Command David G. Harris Public Affairs Competition. He eared first place in Category G3: Training Documentation Photograph with a photo of cold-water immersion training from Cold-Weather Operations Course class 21-04 in March 2021. And he earned the honorable mention in Category J4: Training Documentation Video for a video that was entitled, CWOC Class 21-04 student completes cold-water immersion training at Fort McCoy, Part I.” And like the training documentation photograph category, entries in this category also depict the U.S. military’s participation in a joint or service exercise, or other training event.

Maj. Gen. David Wilson, commanding general, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, and senior mission commander, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, presents the certificate for the Meritorious Service Medal to Lt. Col. Patric Nichols, chief, Plans Division, First U.S. Army, Sept. 27, at the installation quarterly retirement ceremony. (Photo by Linda Lambiotte, ASC Public Affairs)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Elmer McDaniel, commander of the 117th Air Control Squadron, relinquished command to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Ross Fielding in a time honored Change of Command ceremony at Hunter Army Air Field Savannah, Georgia, May 15, 2022.

NEWPORT, R.I. (Sept. 1, 2022) Rear Adm. Pete Garvin, commander, Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), left, poses for a photo with Master Chief Electronics Technician Matthew Reed, a NETC training analyst, after his graduation ceremony from the Senior Enlisted Academy (SEA) on Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport, Sept. 1, 2022. Garvin visited NAVSTA Newport Aug. 31-Sept. 1 to speak with the staff and students of Center for Service Support, Surface Warfare Schools Command, SEA, Officer Training Command Newport, Naval Chaplaincy School, Naval Leadership and Ethics Center, and Navy Supply Corps School.

U.S. Navy Capt. Cassidy Norman, left, the commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), awards Aviation Boatswains Mate (Equipment) Airman Rocco Colonna, from Prospect Park, Pennsylvania, as Warfighter of the Week, on the floating accommodation facility, in Newport News, Virginia, May 12, 2022. The John C. Stennis is in Newport News Shipyard working alongside NNS, NAVSEA and contractors conducting Refueling and Complex Overhaul as part of the mission to deliver the warship back in the fight, on time and on budget, to resume its duty of defending the United States.

Lt. Gen. Jody J. Daniels, commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve Command and Chief of Army Reserve, left, and 88th Readiness Division leadership, right, present the Army Individual Award of Excellence in Safety to Brian Russell, center left, a safety and occupational health specialist with the 88th Readiness Division during the USARC annual commanders' forum at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 30, 2022. The award is Department of the Army level and presented to the individual having made the most significant contribution to the units or activitys accident prevention effort.

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (Jan. 11, 2024) Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Jeremiah Corpuz, assigned to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, Greece, receives a Letter of Commendation from Capt. Odin J. Klug, commanding officer, NSA Souda Bay, during an awards ceremony on Jan. 11, 2024. NSA Souda Bay is an operational ashore installation which enables and supports U.S., Allied, Coalition, and Partner nation forces to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

SILVERDALE, Wash. (May. 5, 2022) Machinist's Mate (Auxiliary) 3rd Class Juan S. Pena (right) is recognized as Trident Refit Facility, Bangor's (TRFB) Bluejacket of the Quarter, second quarter, fiscal year 2022. Senior Chief Machinists Mate Allen Schacherl (left) presented the award. TRFB supports the nations strategic deterrence mission repairing, incrementally overhauling, and modernizing Pacific Fleet strategic ballistic missile submarines during refits.

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.

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (Dec. 8, 2022) Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Vianca Correa, assigned to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, receives a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from Capt. Odin Klug, commanding officer, NSA Souda Bay, Greece, during an award ceremony on Dec. 8, 2022. NSA Souda Bay is an operational ashore installation which enables and supports U.S., Allied, Coalition, and Partner nation forces to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jimmy Graham (center) is presented with a gift by Chief Warrant Officer 5 Donny Dukes (left) and Chief Warrant Officer 5 Tommy Smith, the command chief warrant officer for the Mississippi Army National Guard, during a retirement ceremony held at the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum's Grand Gallery at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, June 9, 2022.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen Niave Knell (left), the 1st Infantry Division senior mission commander, presents the 1st Family Recognition Award to Dr. Jerome Kenzy (right) from Dental Health Activity during the 1st Family Volunteer Award Recognition Ceremony at Victory Chapel on Fort Riley, Kansas, June 23, 2022. 1ID recognized the volunteers as part of the Big Red One Year of Family, a campaign that honors the Families commitment to each other and the Army.

Lily Palfrey, daughter of 1st Sgt. Frank Palfrey, receives the 2020 National Guard Bureau Youth Volunteer Award during a ceremony at the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade armory. Lily was named winner of the award in early-2021, while her father was deployed with the 28th ECAB. She wanted to wait until her father was home to receive the award. 1st Sgt. Palfrey is the senior enlisted leader of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 28th ECAB.

Team Charleston welcomes its newest honorary commanders at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Nov. 4, 2022. The purpose of the Honorary Commander program is to establish and maintain relationships with local civic leaders in order to increase public awareness of the Air Force missions and programs.

Sgt. Christian Stafford (left), 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Command Sgt. Maj. Sheldon Chambliss (middle), Ohio Army National Guard State Command Sergeant Major, and Spc. Brock Cerneka (right), 73rd Troop Command, stand during the award ceremonyfor the Ohio Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition(BWC)at the Ohio Army National Guard Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center, Ravenna, Ohio, April 3, 2022. Cerneka won first place amongst the junior unlisted Soldiers and took home the title of Ohio Army National Guard Soldier of the Year. Stafford won first place amongst the noncommissioned officers and took home the title of Ohio Army National Guard NCO of the Year. The winners of the BWC will move on to represent the Ohio Army National Guard at the regional levelcompetitionthis summer. The BWCrecognizes Soldiers who demonstratecommitment to the Army values, embody the warrior Ethos, and represent the Force of the future. (Photo by Spc. Benhur Ayettey, 196thMobile P

220627-N-EJ241-1014DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (June 27, 2022) - Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Ramoni Mack, assigned to U.S. Navy Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia, receives her frocking letter from Capt. Richard D. Payne, commanding officer of NSF Diego Garcia during a frocking ceremony. NSF Diego Garcia provides logistic, service, recreational, and administrative support to U.S. and allied forces forward deployed to the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Michael Sattes, 621st Contingency Response Wing executive officer, is awarded the Bronze Star Medal on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Nov. 1, 2022. The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ronald M. Frank, 177th Medical Group chief of aerospace medicine, and his wife pose for a photograph with a plaque given to Frank, during his retirement ceremony at the 177th Fighter Wing, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, Jan. 6, 2024. Frank has dedicated more than 23 years of service to the 177th Medical Group.

U.S. Marine MSgt. Emanuel Nanjejackson, a Tampa, Florida native, an operations chief with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit poses for a photo with Sgt. Maj. Horr (left) and Col. Dennis Sampson (right), on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 3, 2022. Promotion ceremonies are a significant achievement in a service members career and are a testament to their commitment, mastery of duties and skills, and leadership capabilities.

Col. Michael Parks, 507th Air Refueling Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Nicholas, 507th ARW Command Chief, present the 2021 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award to Tech. Sgt. Justin Jarrett, 507th Security Forces Squadron, April 30, 2022, at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Oct. 20, 2022) Capt. Les Sobol, Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) presents the Employee of the Quarter award to Kamiti Braddy during an award ceremony at Benny Decker Theater onboard CFAY. For more than 75 years, CFAY has provided, maintained, and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th Fleet's forward-deployed naval forces, tenant commands, and thousands of military and civilian personnel and their families.

Four Kentucky National Guardsmen are honored by Gov. Andy Beshear for excellence during Leadership Development Day at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 5, 2023. From left to right are Spc. Garner Offutt, Kentucky National Guard Outstanding Soldier of the Year; Senior Airman Elijah LaMastus, Kentucky Air National Guard Outstanding Airman of the Year; Master Sgt. Jason Newby, Kentucky Air National Guard Outstanding Senior NCO of the Year; and Master Sgt. Joshua Thompson, Kentucky Air National Guard Outstanding First Sergeant of the Year.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven Basham, U.S. European Command deputy commander, hosted U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro during a visit to the command's Stuttgart, Germany, headquarters Jan. 22, 2024. As part of the visit, the two leaders discussed efforts to train and fight with Allies and partners to support NATO, counter transnational threats, defend the U.S. homeland forward, and strengthen security relationships in Europe.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dale Harrell, 88th Medical Group commander, inducts and presents Michelle Lovely, The Dayton Foundation Development and Donor Service vice president, with an Honorary Commanders certificate and commanders pin Oct. 12 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The Honorary Commanders Program objective is to educate local leaders about a units mission and foster a supportive relationship with the community.

Senior leaders of the Pennsylvania National Guard pose for a photo with the top four finishers of the Pennsylvania National Guards 2022 summer photo contest. Winning photos were determined by the PA NGs social media audience on Facebook and Instagram in a head-to-head tournament-style contest. During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler, the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, presented each Soldier with a certificate of appreciation. First Place- Spc. Brianna Mazza, multichannel transmission systems operator-maintainer with Charlie Company, 628th Aviation Support Battalion, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade. Second Place- Warrant Officer William Fletcher, UH-72 Lakota helicopter pilot with Bravo Company, 1-224th Aviation Regiment, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade. Third Place- Pfc. Isaiah Tharp, cavalry scout with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2-112th Infantry Regiment, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Fourth Place- Spc. Dianna Ramos, Human Resources speci

APRA HARBOR, Guam (Feb. 7, 2024) - Chief Electronics Technician Charles Giedd, assigned to the Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), receives the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from Rear Adm. Michael Van Poots, Deputy Commander Submarine Force Atlantic/Deputy Commander Submarine Force Pacific, Feb. 7, 2024. Frank Cable, forward-deployed to the island of Guam, repairs, rearms, and re-provisions submarines and surface vessels in the Indo-Pacific region. Navy

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) Commanding Officer James M. Belmont, right, recognizes FRCE Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Production Director Lt. Col. Jason B. Raper, left, for Rapers receipt of the Raper the recipient of the North Carolina Defense Summit Resilience Award for Best Practice Excellence. Raper earned the award in recognition of his unparalleled leadership and drive for quality in the military aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul industry.

051124-A-9419D-021. Base: Wyoming State: Michigan (MI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Hospital Corpsman Devin Myrick receives his Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal certificate from Capt. Steve Aboona, commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Bethesda, during an awards ceremony in Memorial Auditorium at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Oct. 7, 2022. Aboona presented 40 individual awards during the award ceremony which recognized various achievements of Sailors assigned to the command.

Col. Kyle Goldstein, 340th Flying Training Group commander, presents Lt. Col. Nicole Bain, 340th FTG T-1 subject matter expert, with the 2021 4th Quarter Flight Commander of the Quarter award during the group's fall Mass Unit Training Assembly held at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas from Oct. 27-28, 2022. Col. Goldstein and Chief Master Sgt. Christopher Howard, 340th FTG senior enlisted leader, also recognized more than 20 members for exceptional performance in the annual, quarterly, and promotion announcement categories.

Maj. Mack Fountain, 403rd Force Support Squadron director of operations, presents Senior Master Sgt. Brett Blanchard with his retirement declaration during his retirement ceremony at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Jan. 6, 2024. Blanchard served for 33 years, spending the majority of his career in the education and training realm ensuring Airmen met training and development requirements for career advancement.

Christopher Burns, Navy Exchange Service Command senior vice president, presents U.S. Navy Capt. Frank T. Ingargiola, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst deputy commander and Naval Support Activity Lakehurst commander, the 2021 Bingham Award at Joint Base MDL, N.J., Oct. 18, 2022. Navy Exchange Lakehurst received the award in the sales over $1.4 to $2.2 million category. The award is presented to the best NEX in nine sales categories for overall financial results and customer service.

Oregon Air National Guard Colonel, Jennifer Pardy, congratulates Oregon Air National Guard Command Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Conner during his retirement ceremony, held on Dec. 3, 2022 at Camp Withycombe, Oregon. Conner served over 38 years in both the Active Duty Air Force and the Oregon Air National Guard with his final assignment serving as the State's Command Senior Enlisted Leader. (National Guard photo by Aaron Perkins, OMD Public Affairs)

Capt. Ryan Yeager, 507th Maintenance Squadron Director of Operations, presents the MXS MVP of the Year award to Master Sgt. Emmanuel Barraza April 30, 2022, at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ronald J. Place, DHA director, and his wife, Carol, meet with DHA employees during a farewell event with the workforce Dec. 9 at Defense Health Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia. Place will depart the Agency Jan. 3, 2023 after serving as the agencys third director and retire following 37 years of service to the nation, the Army and the military health system.

David Osborne, 35th Contracting Squadron, accepts the 35th Fighter Wing Category I Civilian of the Quarter award, from Col. Jesse Friedel, 35th FW commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Aaron Sanchez, 35th FW acting command chief, during the first quarter award ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 20, 2022. The purpose of the 35th FW Awards Program is to recognize the outstanding professionalism, technical competence, and extraordinary performance of members in the categories of enlisted, officer, civilian, and teams.

Chief Navy Counselor Rachel Oyegoke receives her Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal certificate from Capt. Steve Aboona, commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Bethesda, during an awards ceremony in Memorial Auditorium at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Oct. 7, 2022. Aboona presented 40 individual awards during the award ceremony which recognized various achievements of Sailors assigned to the command.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Luke Mooney, 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. Mooney, who hails from Manhattan, New York, previously served as an enlisted soldier in Charlie Company, 143rd Infantry Regiment, Rhode Island Army National Guard, now he will serve in the same regiment as an infantry officer.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Robert Shuford, a communications strategy and operations director with Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command, receives a Certificate of Appreciation from the President of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) during an Active Duty Fund Drive Recognition Ceremony at the Pennsylvania House, Norfolk, Aug. 25, 2022. An award ceremony was held to congratulate the Marines and Sailors who coordinated the NMCRS 2022 Active Duty Fund Drive, which raised nearly $900,000 within the Hampton Roads region. The NMCRS is a non-profit organization that provides loans, financial education and disaster relief assistance to service members and their families.

Brig. Gen. Maurizio D. Calabrese, deputy commanding general for intelligence at U.S. Central Commands Over-the-Horizon Counterterrorism Headquarters, accepts a gift at the close of the exercise Regional Cooperation 22 Aug. 19, 2022, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. RC 22 is an annual, multi-national U.S. Central Command-sponsored exercise conducted by U.S. forces in partnership with Central and South Asia nations.

GREAT LAKES, Il. (January 18, 2024) Sailors stationed aboard Naval Station Great Lakes and its tenant commands are presented lone Sailor statues from the Navy League at a Sailor of the year ceremony at the National Museum of the American Sailor, Jan. 18, 2024. Since its founding in 1902, the Navy League has provided a voice for stronger sea services. The Navy League has grown to become the foremost citizens organization serving, supporting and standing with all U.S. sea services.

Past and present U.S. service members and guests attend the Allentown Chapter of the Honorary First Defenders and the 213th Regional Support Group's 77th Annual Military Ball at The Americus Hotel in Allentown, Nov. 12, 2022. The evening program included toasts and award ceremonies. Patricia Veresink, Esq., 2022 Commander - Honorary First Defenders, Col. Frank Montgomery, commander of the 213th RSG and other distinguished visitors shared remarks during the event.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley present the outgoing commander of U.S. Central Command, U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr., with a gift to recognize his more than four decades of service to the nation, Tampa, Florida, April 1, 2022. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (July 21, 2022) Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Zach Fears is acknowledged as the Junior Sailor of the Quarter by Navy Capt. Rafael C. Facundo, commanding officer, Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, during an awards-at-quarters ceremony in the base gym on July 21, 2022. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., Allied, and Partner nation forces to be where they are needed when they are needed to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Nov. 15, 2018) Midshipman 1st Class Vanessa Medford receives her service assignment certificate during a ceremony in Bancroft Hall at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. At this annual event, midshipmen learn which warfare community they will join upon graduation in May.

GREAT LAKES, Il. (January 18, 2024) Sailors stationed aboard Naval Station Great Lakes and its tenant commands are presented lone Sailor statues from the Navy League at a Sailor of the year ceremony at the National Museum of the American Sailor, Jan. 18, 2024. Since its founding in 1902, the Navy League has provided a voice for stronger sea services. The Navy League has grown to become the foremost citizens organization serving, supporting and standing with all U.S. sea services.

U.S. Navy Chief Logistics Specialist Gretchen Alingig, the sub-area 3 coordinator for the 2022 Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) Active duty Fund Drive with Naval Station Norfolk, receives a Certificate of Commendation, a Certificate of Appreciation and a small gift during an Active Duty Fund Drive Recognition Ceremony at the Pennsylvania House, Norfolk, Aug. 25, 2022. An award ceremony was held to congratulate the Marines and Sailors who coordinated the NMCRS 2022 Active Duty Fund Drive, which raised nearly $900,000 within the Hampton Roads region. The NMCRS is a non-profit organization that provides loans, financial education and disaster relief assistance to service members and their families.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (May 25, 2022) - Maintenance Material Management Officer Lt. Cmdr. David D. Williams presents a certificate to Aviation Boatswains Mate (Fuel) 2nd Class (AW/SW) Terrence J. Spencer assigned to engineering department on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), at a pinning ceremony at the Mariners Museum in Newport News. George Washington is undergoing refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipyard. RCOH is a multi-year project performed only once during a carriers 50-year service life that includes refueling the ships two nuclear reactors, as well as significant repairs, upgrades, and modernization.

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (July 21, 2022) Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Terryl Freeman receives a promotion memorandum from Navy Capt. Rafael C. Facundo, commanding officer, Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, during a frocking ceremony held in the base gym on July 21, 2022. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., Allied, and Partner nation forces to be where they are needed when they are needed to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (Feb. 15, 2024) Angela Buenrostro, assigned to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, Greece, is recognized as the U.S. Civilian of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 by Capt. Odin J. Klug, commanding officer, NSA Souda Bay, during an awards ceremony on Feb. 15, 2024. NSA Souda Bay is an operational ashore installation that enables and supports U.S., Allied, Coalition, and Partner nation forces to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Navy

Roberto (Marcelo) Castro, an AMCOM logistics assistance representative assigned to 402nd Aviation Forward Support Battalion in Hawaii, was selected as this year's LAR of the Year. AMCOM leaders, Command Sgt. Maj. Bradford Smith (left) and Maj. Gen. Todd Royar, presented Castro the award during LARs' training on Redstone Arsenal, June 13. Castro will now go on to compete in the Army Materiel Command competition.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, exchanges coins with Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, Commanding Officer of Israeli Ground Forces at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA., June 27, 2022.

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Lemon (left), the U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys senior enlisted leader, presents an award to U.S. Army Spc. Christiana Amoah (right) at the United States Army Garrison Humphreys Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program 3rd Quarter Awards Ceremony at Humphreys Family Theater for being the Boss Representative of the Month of June on June 28, 2022. Awardees were recognized for excellence, dedication, achievements connected to the BOSS program.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl Abelardo Peña, a network administrator, from Bloomington, Calif., receives a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal from Maj. Gen. Donovan, the commander of Task Force 61/2 (TF-61/2), Naples, Italy, April 25, 2022. Task Force 61/2 aligns multiple existing deployed forces under the Naval Amphibious Force commander; deployed amphibious ready groups (ARG), Marine expeditionary units (MEU), and reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance (RXR) forces.

Maj. Gen. James Smith, commanding general, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, left, presents Kathy Anastasi the Spouse Appreciation and Volunteer Award within the SPO Conference Room on Panzer Kaserne on June 24 during Col. Matthew Anastasi's farewell ceremony. Mrs. Anastasi led volunteers and the community to support this theater for three years through the COVID-19 pandemic, Operation Allies Welcome and contingency operations during the Ukraine Crisis.

Hospital Corpsman David McClelland receives a Letter of Appreciation from Capt. Steve Aboona, commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Bethesda, during an awards ceremony in Memorial Auditorium at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Oct. 7, 2022. Aboona presented 40 individual awards during the award ceremony which recognized various achievements of Sailors assigned to the command.

The adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard, Army Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, left, presents Mary S. Decker, chief of staff for Joint Force Headquarters Air, Kentucky National Guard, with the order promoting her to the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., June 11, 2022. Decker joined the Air Force in 1987 as an airman basic.

U.S. Air Force Col. Joshua Waggoner, left, Commander, 122nd Fighter Wing, presents a plaque to Brig. Gen. Mark Miller, Chief of Staff, Indiana Air National Guard, during a promotion ceremony in Fort Wayne, Indiana March 5, 2023. Miller joins Brig. Gen. Michael Stohler's office at Stout Field, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Soldiers assigned to the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion maintenance, CBRN and logistics sections, pose alongside Mr. Kevin Davis, Headquarters Department of the Army G44M-Field Maintenance Operations Division, U.S. Army Reserve Command G4 sergeant major, U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Major Alice Torres, and U.S. Army Master Sgt. Jill Eshleman, Military Intelligence Readiness Command Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment First Sergeant, after an awards ceremony. The 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion, 336th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade, Military Intelligence Readiness Command, U.S. Army Reserve, received the Department of the Army level Army Award for Maintenance Excellence, MTOE medium category, in an event honoring the unit held on Fort George G. Meade, Md., Jan. 20, 2024.

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON - (April 7, 2022) - Capt. Gerald DeLong, commanding officer of Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) San Antonio, presents a Navy Fiesta Medal to U.S. Pacific Fleet Surgeon Capt. Michael McGinnis at NAMRU San Antonio headquarters. Afterwards, McGinnis joined Capt. William Deniston, commander of Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) and other science subject matter experts for a tour of the Battlefield Health and Trauma Building. NAMRU San Antonios mission is to conduct gap driven combat casualty care, craniofacial, and directed energy research to improve survival, operational readiness, and safety of Department of Defense personnel engaged in routine and expeditionary operations. It is one of the leading research and development laboratories for the U.S. Navy under the DoD and is one of eight subordinate research commands in the global network of laboratories operating under NMRC in Silver Spring, Md.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Kyra Gatt receives a Letter of Appreciation from Capt. Steve Aboona, commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Bethesda, during an awards ceremony in Memorial Auditorium at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Oct. 7, 2022. Aboona presented 40 individual awards during the award ceremony which recognized various achievements of Sailors assigned to the command.

Cpl. Everett Radcliffe, middle, graphics specialist, Communication Strategy and Operations, Headquarters and Support Battalion, accepts an award on behalf of another Marine during the annual Volunteer Appreciation Award ceremony at Marston Pavilion on MCB Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 11, 2022. Lt. Gen. William M. Jurney, left, commanding general, II Marine Expeditionary Force and Brig. Gen. Andrew M. Niebel, commanding general, MCIEAST-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune presented awards to recognize volunteers for their dedication and extensive community service.

Lt. Col. Al Morris, 3rd Battalion, 157th Field Artillery, Colorado Army National Guard presents an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognition award to Steve Sharp, a lab director at Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center in La Junta, Colo., during a Family Readiness Group event in Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 26, 2009. Spc. Derek Ware (in uniform on the left) submitted his employer for the ESGR award because of the ongoing support he receives from work. [Steve always lets me off to do training. He was former military - served during Vietnam,” said Ware, grateful that his position is being held until he returns from Iraq.

020625-A-5399B-134. Base: Fort Hood State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: FORSCOM

Stennis Space Center, Miss. Naval Oceanography hosted representatives from the Republic of Korean Navy (ROKN) for a two-day tour of U.S. Navy (USN) commands at NASA Stennis Space Center, MS and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two navies, June 7-8, 2022. This MOU, a regularly-signed joint agreement, reaffirms commitment to enhance the ROKN-USN partnership by sharing information on oceanography, hydrography, and meteorology best-practices.Foundationally, the MOU aligns with the 2022 National Defense Strategy (NDS) priorities: (1) defending the homeland, paced to the growing multi-domain threat; (2) deterring strategic attacks against the U.S., Allies and partners; (3) deterring aggression, while being prepared to prevail in conflict when necessary; and (4) building a resilient Joint Force and defense ecosystem.The signing of this agreement is historic and demonstrates our navies commitment to continued growth in our oceanographic alliance, said RDML Ron J. Pire

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Allen Adams awards the Top III Association of Prince Sultan Air Bases Unsung Hero award to Tech. Sgt. Thomas Mitchell, an explosive ordnance disposal craftsman assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, Sept. 14, 2022, PSAB, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mitchell won the month of Augusts award for going above and beyond his normal duty tasks while deployed to PSAB. The Unsung Hero award recognizes up-and-coming leaders within the ranks of E5 and E6 who exemplify their services core values, often behind the scenes, inspiring others and contributing to improving customer service and the overall mission.

Mr. Steve Austin, the Assistant Chief of the Army Reserve, visits the Integrated Personnel and Pay System - Army (IPPS - A) Reserve component cutover team and gifts a coin to CW3 Amanda Hansen on Dec. 6, 2022 in Arlington, VA. The USAR has approximately 60 in-person participants from every MSC across the Reserve and approximately 300 online assistants with the IPPS - A brownout and cutover tasks. Mr. Austin came to personally recognize their dedicated efforts and how important their roles are as cutover members setting up commands for success.

On Jan. 18, 2024, Capt. M.W. Meno presented Lt. D.J. Wheeler with a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at quarters for muster for meritorious service while serving as assistant operations officer for Naval Construction Group One (NCG-1) from July 2020 to March 2024. Lt. Wheelers superlative performance, perseverance, and outstanding devotion to duty reflected credit on him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. Quarters for muster, instruction, and inspection is the time Navy commands set aside to communicate face-to-face for accountability, impart information, recognize good performance, and conduct routine inspections. NCG-1 operates from Port Hueneme, California, and serves as the immediate superior in command (ISIC) for its assigned forces. NCG-1 leads and manages the overall capability and readiness of Naval Construction Regiments (NCRs), Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCBs), Construction Battalion Maintenance Units (CBMUs), and Underwa

502nd Air Base Wing held an honorary commanders hail and farewell ceremony, March 31, 2023, at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. This program promotes mission partner relationships between Joint Base San Antonio and the 502nd Air Base Wing and community leaders throughout the city of San Antonio and surrounding areas.

The 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment received the Order of Daedalians 2021 Lt. Gen. Allen M. Burdett, Jr. Army Aviation Flight Safety Award during a ceremony at U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence June 21, 2022. Lt. Col. Edward C. Adams, 1-212th Aviation Regiment commander, accepted the award from retired Maj. Gen. Ronald K. Andy Andreson, vice commander of the Order of Daedalians. Adams was joined by Command Sgt. Maj. Denep A. Garcia, 1-212th Aviation Regiment sergeant major, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Miguel J. Aguirre, battalion aviation safety officer, and leaders from the USAACE command group and the 110th Aviation Brigade.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Sleger, left, 502nd Security Forces Group commander, and USAF Staff Sgt. Austin Clark, 802nd SF military working dog handler, retire MWD Mika, April 10, 2023, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Mika, retired after 9 years of service.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (Nov. 30, 2022) Gen. Laura Richardson, left, commander, U.S. Southern Command, gifts a command coin to Lt. Gen. Carlos Diaz-Morfa, Dominican Republic Minister of Defense, after a tour of hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) during Continuing Promise 2022, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Nov. 30, 2022. Comfort is deployed to U.S. 4th Fleet in support of Continuing Promise 2022, a humanitarian assistance and goodwill mission conducting direct medical care, expeditionary veterinary care, and subject matter expert exchanges with five partner nations in the Caribbean, Central and South America.

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason G. Woodworth, left, the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations - West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and Sgt. Maj. Fausto H. Cabrera, right, the sergeant major of MCI-West, MCB Camp Pendleton, award Ramona D. Cook, the administrative protocol specialist for MCI-West, MCB Camp Pendleton, with a Certificate of Appreciation at the Marine Memorial Chapel on Camp Pendleton, California, March 21, 2023. Cook was awarded the Commanding Generals Certificate of Appreciation Award for her 40 years of dedicated federal service.

051102-A-1526R-099. Base: Buenos Aires Country: Argentina (ARG)

Col. Andy Nuce, left, presents the Order of Military Medical Merit to Lt. Col. Ronald Foley in recognition of Foleys contributions to the U.S. Army Medical Corps during his 40 year career, part of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity

Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Gorup, the Noncommissioned Officer-Charge of the Illinois National Guard's Joint Operations Center, retired with almost 26 years of service on Sunday, May 15, during a ceremony on Camp Lincoln in Springfield. Gorup spent 21 years of his career in the Infantry and deployed four times, the last being with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009. Pictured is Colonel Seth Hible, the Chief of the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff, presenting a gift from the Joint Staff to Sgt. 1st Class Gorup during the ceremony.

Pensacola, FL - Navy Information Operations Command Pensacola held a promotion ceremony for two sailors on 16 February 2024.

Brig. Gen. Peter T. Green III, Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Massachusetts Air National Guard, retired after 40 years of service in a ceremony held at the 104th Fighter WIng on Sept. 10, 2022. Brig. Gen. Green started his career as a security forces specialist at the 104FW and prior to moving to Massachusetts ANG Joint Force Headquarts was the 104FW Commander. Distinguished guests included Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, The Adjutant General, Massachusetts Air National Guard, Brig. Gen. Virginia Gaglio, Chief of Staff and Air Component Commander, Massachusetts ANG, Col. David 'Moon' Halasikun, 104FW Commander, Massachusetts Senator John Velis, Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe, and other 104FW leaders, members, family and friends. (U.S Air National Guard Photos by Master Sgt. Lindsey S. Watson)

Minnesota National Guear Soldier, Capt. Adam Aerni, stands with his daughter and coworkers, Brian Sevigny, Frank Orr and Christopher Witt, after accepting the Above and Beyond Award for his employer, United Health Group , August 30, 2022, in Falcon Heights. During the Minnesota State Fair's Military Appreciation Day, Employer Support of The Guard and Reserve recognized and honored the employers of military families. (Minnesota National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh)

Cmdr. Kathleen Colter receives her Meritorious Service Medal certificate from Capt. Steve Aboona, commanding officer of Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command, Bethesda, during an awards ceremony in Memorial Auditorium at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Oct. 7, 2022. Aboona presented 40 individual awards during the award ceremony which recognized various achievements of Sailors assigned to the command.

Maj. Gen. David J. Francis, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) and Fort Rucker commander, presents Sgt. Jordan Arnold, USAACE public affairs specialist, with a challenge coin at Fort Rucker, Alabama, July 19, 2022.

SILVERDALE, Wash. (Aug. 9, 2022) -Sonar Technician Surface 2nd Class Molly L. Edinger, right, receives Trident Refit Facility, Bangor's (TRFB) Junior Sailor of the Quarter award, third quarter, fiscal year 2022. TRFB's Commanding Officer, U.S. Navy Capt. Michael D. Eberlein, left, presented the award. TRFB supports the nations strategic deterrence mission repairing, incrementally overhauling, and modernizing Pacific Fleet strategic ballistic missile submarines during refits.

Diane Williams, TRADOC IG, receives the 2022 Category II Civilian Inspector General of the Year award.

NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY SOUDA BAY, Greece (Dec. 8, 2022), Cmdr. Michal Mosi, executive officer, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Souda Bay, Greece, receives a Meritorious Service Medal from Capt. Odin Klug, commanding officer, NSA Souda Bay, on behalf of Rear Adm. B. J. Collins, commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central during an award ceremony on Dec. 8, 2022. NSA Souda Bay is an operational ashore installation which enables and supports U.S., Allied, Coalition, and Partner nation forces to preserve security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

Inter-American Defense College Leadership hosts a hail and farewell ceremony on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., Aug. 24, 2022. During the ceremony arriving team members were greeted and departing members received awards, parting gifts and shared a few words with fellow staff members, students and faculty.

A student from Matthew C. Perry Elementary School, left, poses for a photo with U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Rusnok, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, during an art awards presentation at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 25, 2024. The air station presented awards for its monthly art competition in which students attending schools at the air station showcase their artistic talent through different art mediums.

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Company 36, Combat Logistics Regiment 37, pose for a photo after a naturalization ceremony at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Jan. 30, 2024. The naturalization ceremony was held to acknowledge MCAS Iwakuni service members becoming citizens of the United States. The ceremony included service members from El Salvador, Liberia, Mexico, Jamaica, and the Philippines.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Raheen Quinton Dukes Jr., a Manchester, New Hampshire native and the travel noncommissioned officer in charge with the administrative section of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, poses for a photo after receiving the Presidents Volunteer Service Award Bronze at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 3, 2023. The ceremony was held in order to recognize active duty military members and civilians for their dedication to helping others.

Rebecca Paddymo, left, 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron program coordinator, stands with U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Kayla Hatfield, 569 USFPS Commander Support Staff officer in charge, at Vogelweh Military Complex, Germany, Sept. 14, 2022. Paddymo was the first civilian from Ramstein Air Base to be awarded the John L. Levitow Award while attending Airman Leadership School.

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.

NAPLES, ITALY -- Rear Adm. Scott Gray, commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central congratulates Senior Chief Ryan Fea, from Riverside, California, during a frocking ceremoney, May 13, 2022, Naples, Italy. Navy Region EURAFCENT oversees nine installations in seven countries, enabling U.S., allied and partner nation forces to be where they are needed, when they are needed, in order to ensure security and stability in the European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. (

Lt. Col. Marco Peretti, Italian air force Logistic Readiness Squadron commander, left, and Col. Timothy Maxwell, 31st Mission Support Group commander, pose for a photo after signing the 2022 Fire Prevention Week proclamation at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Oct. 11, 2022. This year's focus is on having a fire exit plan in place ahead of time, with the slogan Fire won't wait. Plan your escape.

U.S. Army Spc. Adam Hinkel, combat medic, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1-3rd Attack Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, is joined by some of the leaders within the battalion in celebration upon receiving a flight record at Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia on April 4, 2022. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe that works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retains command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater.

Maj. Gen. Michael C. McCurry, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commander, stands with Mike Schmitz, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for South Alabama, during a visit to Fort Rucker October 24, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Nicholas Greene, the noncommissioned officer in charge of administration assigned to the 36th Contingency Response Squadron, receives the Linebacker of the Week Award from U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul R. Birch, 36th Wing commander, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. John E. Payne, 36th Wing command chief, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 20, 2022. The Team Andersen Linebacker of the Week recognizes outstanding enlisted, officer, civilian and total force personnel who have had an impact on achieving Team Andersens mission, vision and priorities.

040731-M-4419R-033. Base: Ar Ramadi State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

NAVAL BASE GUAM (April 1, 2022) - U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) Commanding Officer Capt. Michael Luckett recognized NBG Sailors during an end-of-tour award ceremony at the NBG Headquarters April 1.- Master-at-Arms 1st (MA1) Class Jayme Wolff, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal - MA1 Jose Guzman, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal- Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Jaeger Alvarez, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal- Master-at-Arms 3rd (MA3) Class Erik Gilbert, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal - MA3 Alberto Castillejo, Letter of Commendation

Maj. Gen. Michel M. Russell Sr., commanding general, 1st Theater Sustainment Command stands next to volunteers and awardees, Michelle Kibitlewski, Nancy Walton, Lindsay Ward, and Command Sgt. Maj. Albert E. Richardson Jr., senior enlisted advisor, 1st TSC, after Russell presented them with U.S. Army Central Command Certificates of Appreciation in a joint ceremony, May 19, 2022 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The three ladies were recognized for the immense amount of volunteer work they do with, and on behalf of the 1st TSC.

Three Sailors serving aboard Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point were recognized for their service aboard the facility during a ceremony held Friday, January 31, 2024 as they prepared to depart for their next assignment or civilian life.Recognized with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal were Hospital Corpsman Second Class Shea Ashmore-Scianna for his service in the Patient Administration Department, Hospital Corpsman Second Class Taylor Jones for her service in the Physical Therapy Department and Hospital Corpsman Third Class Skylar Hampton for his service in the Pharmacy Department.

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