Modern Military Ceremonies

Contemporary images depicting various military award and change of command ceremonies, featuring personnel in uniform and formal settings.

U.S. Army Col. Seth Morgulas, commander of the 369th Sustainment Brigade and Command Sgt. Maj. Curtis Moss, senior enlisted advisor to Morgulas uncase their brigades flag during a transfer of authority ceremony, Nov. 3, 2022, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. The transfer of authority ceremony signifies the end of the responsibilities of Task Force Phoenix followed by the assumption of responsibility by Task Force Hellfighter.

Mr. Steve Austin, the Assistant Chief of the Army Reserve, visits the Integrated Personnel and Pay System - Army (IPPS - A) Reserve component cutover team 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. (This photo has been altered to blur out a badge)

CDRE MCGHEE'S VISIT

U.S. Air Force Maj. Linlin Liou assumes command of the 43rd Communications Squadron from Col. Joseph Vanoni, 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group commander, July 8, 2022, at Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina. The 43 CS was reactivated as part of an overall reorganization to better align what Team Pope does with its overall mission and other Air Force locations. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Jim Bove)

Gold Star Spouse Sonia Rogowska, left, and U.S. Army Garrison Director of Emergency Services Lt. Col. David Castillo, right, share of moment of fellowship during the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland Pfalz, Army Community Service Gold Star Spouses Day Recognition Ceremony April 5 at the Rheinlander Convention Center in Baumholder. Held annually on April 5, the event provides an opportunity to honor the sacrifices and legacies of Gold Star Families and their fallen loved ones.

U.S. Army Spc. Lake P. Goo, Health Care Specialist with 512th Field Hospital and his teammate U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kyle L. Kraft, combat medic with 512th Field Hospital, are winners of the 2022 Best Medic Competition in Baumholder, Germany Nov 28 - Dec 2, 2022. Goo and Kraft will represent 30th Medical Brigade at the Army-wide Best Medic Competition to be held at Fort Polk, Louisiana in January 2023.

Col. Jason Vattioni, 377th Air Base Wing commander, coins Capt. Scott Abuso, 576th Flight Test Squadron chief of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test operations, during the 377th ABW move the flag” visit at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, Aug. 4, 2022. Moving the Flag” is when a unit temporarily relocates headquarters to a different geographic location while executing normal duties and the mission at both operating locations.

Lt. Col. Michael J. Esposito assumes command of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 29th Infantry Division from Lt. Col. John R. Roche during a change of command ceremony Septempber 11, 2022, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Maj. Gen. John M. Rhodes, commanding general of the 29th Infantry Division, presided over the traditional exchanging of the unit colors that represented the change of command from Roche to Esposito.

Left, U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Commanding General Maj. Gen. Todd R. Wasmund greets Italian Army NCO Cmcs Giacinto H. Tufilli assigned to Italian Base Command during his visit at Camp Darby, Pisa Ammunition Storage Area, Italy, Sep. 21, 2022. The $42 million project includes railway bridge over the Navicelli Canal, upgrades to canal docks and a safe zone for loading and unloading ammunition. The project funded by the U.S. government, is a key strategic project and contributes to improving security at the site.

Maj. Gen. Steve W. Gilland, outgoing deputy commanding general-maneuver, III Armored Corps, admires a spent shell casing presented in his honor as the III Armored Corps bid farewell to the Gilland Family at III Armored Corps headquarters at Fort Hood, Texas, June 8, 2022. Lt. Gen. Pat. White, commanding general of III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, presented Gilland with the Army Distinguished Service Medal. Prior to his arrival at III Armored Corps, Gilland served as the commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division, the last remaining permanently forward-stationed division in the U.S. Army. Gilland is slated for a third star as he heads to West Point to become the service academy's 61st superintendent. Gilland previously served as the commandant of cadets at West Point.

Photo of the Emblem of Honor of the Land Forces award. Chief of the Romanian Land Forces Maj. Gen. Iulian Berdilă presented the award to six Victory Soldiers at the corps headquarters in Fort Knox, Kentucky, for their involvement in the strategic partnership between Romania and the United States, Oct. 13, 2022.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Hilbert, Commanding General for the 7th Army Training Command, meets with officers of NATO allied and partner countries at Hohenfels to discuss exercise overview and objectives on Sept. 12, 2022.Saber Junction 22 is a multinational rotational exercise designed to assess the readiness of the U.S. Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade to execute unified land operations in a joint, combined environment and to promote interoperability with more than 4,500 participants from the U.S. and Allied and partner nations at the U.S. Army's Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels training areas from August 29 to September 20, 2022.

Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby, right, speaks with Sailors and civilians assigned to Naval Aviation Schools Command during a visit to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Jan. 31, 2024. Kilby visited Pensacola to engage with Sailors and meet with leadership to discuss recruiting and manning challenges and initiatives, pay and personnel, and supporting our Sailors. Naval Education and Training Command's mission is to recruit, train and deliver those who serve our nation, taking them from street-to-fleet by transforming civilians into highly skilled, operational and combat ready warfighters.

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 36 years of service to the nation, the Army and the military health system.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Corban Lundborg, assigned to 4th Combat Camera Squadron, 315th Airlift Wing, receives a token of appreciation from U.S. Army Col. Darcy Saint-Amant during the awards ceremony for the 2022 Spc. Hilda I. Clayton Best Combat Camera Competition at Fort A.P Hill, Virginia, May 23, 2022. The annual multi-day competition tests the physical, tactical and technical proficiency of visual information and public affairs specialists across the DOD and participating international competitors.

During a ceremony April 29, at Fitch Auditorium Maj. Gen. Anthony R. Hale, commanding general of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, appointed Peter Don to the Defense Intelligence Senior Level and the position of Senior Technical Advisor for Intelligence Training and Education.

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Simmons, outgoing company commander, receives the company colors from Hospital Corpsman Master Chief Victor Alonzo, command master chief, during the Bravo Surgical Company, 3d Medical Battalion change of command, Aug. 1, 2022. Simmons relinquished command to Cmdr. Autumn Riddell.

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. poses for a group photo with Airmen and personnel assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing during a visit to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 12, 2022. Brown visited Eielson as part of his tour of the Indo-Pacific region to meet with partners and allies and engage with Airmen.

U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier, of California, shakes hands with U.S. Soldiers assigned to 1st Infantry Division Artillery at Forward Operating Site Adazi, Latvia, May 27, 2022. The 1st Infantry Division is among other units assigned to V Corps, Americas forward deployed corps in Europe that works alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces.

The third Security Implications of Climate Change (SICC III) symposium was held from 26-28 June, 2023 in Gaborone, Botswana. The symposium, sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), and the U.S. Institute for Peace (USIP), brought together leaders and representatives from over 36 countries to convene and discuss collaborative efforts to address climate-related challenges across the African continent.

The 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, JoAnne S. Bass, visited Roland R. Wright Air National Guard Base on Jan. 6-7, 2024. Chief Bass participated in a base tour where she heard from subject matter experts about the mission capabilities and accomplishments of the 151st Wing. Afterward, she attended the Utah Air Guard Airmen of the Year Banquet, where Bass gave the keynote speech and celebrated with the Airmen of the Year award winners.

220603-N-OT701-1001 JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM (Jun. 3, 2022) Capt. Joe Ring relieves Rear Adm. Tim Kott as Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific (MIDPAC) during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 3. The ceremony marked a formal transition of MIDPAC from a dual-hatted command aligned with Commander, Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH) to a single operationally focused battle staff that will oversee and operate with Hawaii-based surface ships.

At the conclusion of the Project Convergence 22 ROC Drill, Lt. Gen. Scott McKean deputy commanding general of Army Futures Command and director of Futures and Concepts Center, gave members of JMC's Network Integration Division/G6 coins in appreciation for their work.

Team Minutemen, representing the Army National Guard, pose for a photo while competing in the 2022 Best Squad Competition at the Pentagon Library and Conference Center in Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 7, 2022. The competition tests the squads proficiency in their warrior tasks and battle drills and identifies the most cohesive, highly trained, disciplined and fit team - ready to fight and win - while demonstrating commitment to the Army Values and Warrior Ethos.

Sgt. Lawrence McGilvary, Alpha Company, 62nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion, 11th Signal Brigade, reenlists on top of the III Armored Corps Headquarters at Fort Hood, Texas, April 22, 2022. McGilvary said he wanted to feel like he was on top of the world, and he felt the III Armored Corps Headquarters was the place to do it, accompanied by friends and peers from the 62nd ESB.

Sgt. 1st Class Jack Meyers, assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, presents a bouquet of yellow roses representing friendship and a warm welcome, to Mrs. Heather Teakell, during the SETAF-AF Change of Responsibility Ceremony at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, September 1, 2022.

Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. Michael Poss presents a special appreciation plaque during the 2022 Memorial Day Prayer Luncheon on May 26, 2022, at McCoys Community Center at Fort McCoy, Wis. Reverend Laurie Graber and her husband Tom Graber gave a presentation as guest speakers for the event. Both Grabers discussed their ministry and the importance of Memorial Day. Were several participants in the luncheon that included special guest speakers, special prayers provided by clergy, and music to honor fallen veterans for Memorial Day. Nearly three dozen community members attended the event that also included a free lunch. The event was organized by the Fort McCoy Religious Support Office.

Headquarters Detachment, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center held an award ceremony for Annual Training 2022 at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, August 5, 2022.

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, 1st Sgt. William J. Henderson, and Sgt. 1st Class James Greco. Pictured here following the ceremony are (from left): Brig. Gen. Rodney Fischer, commanding general, 104th Training Division, retirees Mattingly, Ward, Henderson and Greco, and 104th Training Division Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Neil J. Pierce.

From the right, Col. Matt Husemann, 436th Airlift Wing commander, presents a coin to Jason Payne, Welch Elementary School principal, during a HERO assembly on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Aug. 26, 2022. The assembly introduced the schools new HERO reward system, which encourages students to behave with Honor, Engagement, Responsibility and to include Others.

U.S. Army Col. Seth Graves, the U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys commander, right, receives the Republic of Korea (ROK) Order of National Security Merit Samil Medal from ROK Army Support Group commander Col. Seok-mo Koo at Maude Hall on June 27, 2023. Graves is the seventh person to receive the award, which is signed by the president of the Republic of Korea, in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding and meritoriuous service to the ROK.

(Retired) Capt. John Arroyo (right) visits with Soldier from the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk May 5, 2022, following the installation's National Day of Prayer Breakfast. Arroyo is a survivor from the mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, April 2, 2014, when four Soldiers were killed and 16 wounded.

NAVAL STATION ROTA, Spain (Feb. 26, 2024) Vice Adm. Dan Cheever, Commander, Naval Air Forces, left, speaks with Senior Chief Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) Wade Trainer, right, and Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 3rd Class Victor Gonzalez, both assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79, at Naval Station Rota, Spain, Feb. 26, 2024. This visit commenced a week-long tour engaging with naval bases in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations and key international leaders to emphasize the critical role of Naval Aviation in the region. Navy

U.S. Air Force Capt. Charles Armstrong, 16th Airlift Squadron C-17 pilot, shakes hands with Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Nov. 21, 2022. In one of the biggest DFC ceremonies in history, 51 members were awarded the highest aerial achievement in the DoD for their acts of heroism during Operations Allies Refuge.

U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel T. Clavin, signal operations support sergeant, 25U, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 3-142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion (AHB), New York Army National Guard, attached to 36th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) from the Texas Army National Guard, received recognition as "Hero of the Week" by the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve leadership during a teleconference held at the 36th CAB headquarters in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Sept. 22, 2022. Clavin, a native of Farmingville, NY, was presented a Certificate of Appreciation by the brigade command team for his timely actions on procuring and installing over 40 workstations within two days, in order to meet operational standards for the Task Force Rough Rider's Tactical Operations Center.

GREAT LAKES, Il. (Sept. 9, 2022) Capt. Jason Williamson, right, Naval Station Great Lakes commanding officer, presents Kevin Barnett, administration officer, with a civilian service commendation medal. 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.

COL Ronald Perry (left), Deputy G3, III Corps and Fort Hood, congratulates Fredia J. Cain who was awarded the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service. Looking on are daughter Trina and husband COL Eddie Cain who was just presented with the Legion of Merit medal for his meritorious service as chemical officer, III Corps and Fort Hood. Base: Fort Hood State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Maj. Holland Canter, outgoing 39th Contracting Squadron commander, relinquishes the guidon to Col. Angela Herron, 39th Mission Support Group commander, during a change of command ceremony at Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, June 10, 2022. Herron then charged Maj. Amanda Nerg with leading the squadron. The change of command ceremony is a long-standing military tradition that represents the formal transfer of responsibility from one officer to another.

Sgt. 1st Class Peter Delaney presents Diana Lynn White, spouse of outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Scott White, a bouquet of red roses at a change of responsibility ceremony for U.S. Army Sustainment Command - Army Reserve Element on July 17 in Heritage Hall at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois. (Photo by Maj. Jacki Velazquez, ASC Public Affairs)

U.S. Soldiers from the 41st Field Artillery Brigade participate in the 1st Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment activation ceremony at Grafenwoehr, Germany, Jan. 10, 2023. The 41st FAB activated two regiments for 2024. The activation of these brigades reflects ongoing commitment to modernization and adaptability to enhance operational capabilities, emphasizing increased lethality and dedicated support for NATO allies.

U.S. Army Capt. Kurt Rossi, outgoing commander of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, recieves a framed Battery guidon preceeding the change of command ceremony at Tower Barracks, Grafenwoehr, Germany, Feb. 21, 2024. Capt. Kurt Rossi relinquishes command to Capt. Pierce English, incoming commander. Army

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.

The 110th Chaplain Corps holds the 22nd Annual Prayer Breakfast Oct. 16, 2022 at the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Battle Creek, Mich. More than 100 service members attended to share breakfast and fellowship, and listen to Native American Veterans Army Sergeant Jerry Campbell and Marine Sergeant Anthony Foerster discuss their military careers.

Maj. Gen. Stacy J. Huser, 20th Air Force commander, speaks with Col. Michael Power, 377th Air Base Wing commander, at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., Feb. 9, 2024. During her visit, Huser received various mission briefs, attended a base tour, and had meetings with Airmen stationed at Kirtland. Air Force

Inter-American Defense College Leadership Welcomes General William Arnulfo López Chay, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of National Defense of Guatemala and other dignitaries to the IADC on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., Sept. 28, 2022. During the visit, General López attended an office call with IADC Leadership, received an IADC brief, spoke with Class 62 students and concluded the visit with a tour of the campus.

U.S. Army Cpl. Spencer Fayles, representing the 144th Area Support Medical Company, Utah Army National Guard, looks sharp in his Army Service Uniform presenting to the board during the Region VII Best Warrior Competition on the island of Guam, May 25, 2022. This annual competition featured the best noncommissioned officer and Soldier from eight different states and territories including Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Testing competitors skills and knowledge and pushing them to their limits, the competition graded each participant in key areas such as basic Soldier skills, marksmanship under stress, land-navigation, and physical fitness.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. David Crowe, left, stands at attention while U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alyssa Kelleher, right, deputy commander of the 169th Regiment (Regional Training Institute), Connecticut Army National Guard, pins on his second lieutenant rank insignia 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.

051102-A-1526R-069. Base: Buenos Aires Country: Argentina (ARG)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Darryl McLean, former commander of the 72nd Aerial Port Squadron, is presented with a shadow box during his retirement ceremony, Aug. 6, 2022. McLean enlisted in the Air Force, July 1983, then commissioned, Feb. 2001, and has served a total of 39 years.

GEN. Hawley, ACC commander, pins a Purple Heart on TECH. SGT. Ronald Rode, 509th Transportation Squadron. He was wounded in the bombing of Kobar Towers in Dhahran, Saudi, Arabia. Base: Whiteman Air Force Base State: Missouri (MO) Country: United States Of America (USA)

The commander of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Maj. Gen Todd Royar (right) and AMCOM Command Sgt. Maj. Bradford Smith (left) cut the 247th Army birthday cake with Kevin Patrick Asquith, the youngest Soldier present at an event to commemorate the 247th Birthday of the U.S. Army, June 14 at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.

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 36 years of service to the nation, the Army and the military health system.

From left to right: U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Dennis P. LeMaster, Deputy Commanding General (Support), Medical Command and the 19th Chief, Medical Service Corps, Pfc. Franklin Mason, B. Co LRMC Troop Command, Brig. Gen. Clinton K. Murray, commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Omar A. Mascarenas, both with Medical Readiness Command-Europe cut a cake after the redesignation ceremony on Sep. 30, 2022 in Landstuhl, Germany. Regional Health Command-Europe redesignated to MRC-EUR.

Maj. Mike Sterling, North Carolina National Guard State Partnership Director, greets Namibian Defence Force Brig. Gen. Helena Ndilimeke Amutenya, left, and Cameroon Armed Forces Col. Marguerite Meffand-Loaw, center, at the African Military Law Forum Advisory Council at NCNG Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina, April 26 - 28, 2022. The conference, created by the United States Africa Command, brought African military legal advisors from several nations including Botswana, one of the NCNG State Partnership Program peers, and Nigeria, Cameroon, Namibia, Burkina Faso, Uganda, Tunisia, Niger, Malawi, Burundi, and NCNG leaders including U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jeffery Copeland, the NCNG Director of Joint Staff and retired Col. Rick Fay, NCNG Chief Counsel, to share their expertise in International, Operational, Administrative, and Civil law and to announce the formation of the Womens Peace and Security component to the ongoing forum.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ryan Scott, 2-10 AHB Commander, conducts his last flight as battalion commander on Fort Drum, Ny. July 15, 2022. Lt. Col. Scott was pinned his Master Aviator Wings afterwards, after completing 15 years of service and 2,000 flight hours.

A linguist from the NATO Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) at the Jåttå Military Compound in Stavanger, Norway, sings the Norwegian national anthem during a 426th Air Base Squadron change of command ceremony June 16, 2022. The ceremony is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of a units authority from one commander to another.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. William Patrick, a security forces craftsman with the 182nd Security Forces Squadron, Illinois Air National Guard, is recognized during a change of command ceremony in Peoria, Illinois, June 7, 2022. Patrick was responsible for the safe recovery of a kidnapping victim while on-duty as a civilian police officer.

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.

Staff Sgt. Taquesha Abson Re-enlistment & Farewell

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David Nahom, commander of Alaskan NORAD Region, Alaskan Command and 11th Air Force, coins U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Necita Aldan, 15th Medical Group Flight Chief, Education and Training, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Oct. 28, 2022. Aldan provided Nahom insight into the 15th Medical Groups Public Health emergency response operations at the height of COVID-19 and the Red Hill water crisis.

Col. William McKibban, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, and Hubert Caloud, superintendent of the Oise-Aisne American cemetery, France, pay tribute to prisoners of war and those missing in action by laying a wreath, Sept. 15, 2022, at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 through a presidential proclamation and is honored annually on the third Friday in September.

070309-M-8531A-043. Base: Camp Courtney State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: M

U.S. Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Manuel Zertuche, an Aerospace Medical Technician of the 185th Air Refueling Wings Medical Group, right, watches 185th Med Group Airmen as they practice code blue procedures at the Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center in Savannah, Georgia, on June 22, 2022. Zertuche is responsible for patient safety and code blue training at the 185th Air Refueling Wing.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Preston Hough, assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve, speaks with Sgt. Maj. of the U.S. Army Michael A. Grinston, while competing in the 2022 Best Squad Competition at the Pentagon Library and Conference Center in Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 7, 2022. The competition tests the squads proficiency in their warrior tasks and battle drills and identifies the most cohesive, highly trained, disciplined and fit team - ready to fight and win - while demonstrating commitment to the Army Values and Warrior Ethos.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Steven Basham, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa deputy commander, coined U.S. Army Sgt. Shelby Keller, an Apache AH 64 crew chief, assigned to the 1st Air Cav Brigade, currently deployed to Poland, for outstanding performance during the Innovation and Leadership in Aerospace Tradeshow in Berlin, held at the Berlin Expo Center Airport, Berlin Brandenburg International Airport, June 24, 2022. In addition to coining Keller, Basham also coined Airmen, another Soldier and a Sailor for the support they provided to U.S. military aircraft participating as static aircraft, who specialize in a variety of career fields, to include weapons, electronic warfare, crew chiefs, and security forces. U.S. support of ILA Berlin demonstrates our strong European presence and strengthens our ties with NATO Allies and Partners.

U.S. Army Spc. Anthony Kunovic, an Army musician and guitarist assigned to the 1st Infantry Division Band (1 ID), performs Christmas music for troops during the 1 ID Band holiday tour at Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Dec. 2, 2022. The 1 ID is proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe.

Airman 1st Class Romario Samuels, 55th Operations Support Squadron, takes the oath of citizenship at Offutt Air Force Base, Feb. 15, 2024. A1C Samuels' citizenship application was pushed through by the 55th Wing Staff Judge Advocate office and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service in a record six days. Air Force

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark Kelly, 455th Air Expeditionary Wing commander, Airman 1st Class Parker Heideman, 100th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and Lt. Col. James Haraak, 455th Expeditionary Medical Group, cut the ceremonial cake during the Air Forces 67th anniversary at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan Sept. 18, 2014. Heideman and Haraak represented the most senior and most junior Airmen in attendance at the ceremony.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Jacob Melia, left, U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Phil Rudak, center, and U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Luke Mooney, right, pose for a photo following their commissioning ceremony inside the auditorium of the Regional Training Institute at Camp Nett, Niantic, Connecticut, Sept. 6, 2022. All three officers will serve in the Army National Guard.

221110-HG389-0022 SINGAPORE (Nov. 10, 2022) Chief Warrant Officer 2 Antonio Milord, center, cuts a cake with a sword at Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73 (COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF 73) for the U.S. Marine Corps 247th birthday in Singapore, Nov. 10. COMLOG WESTPAC/CTF 73 is the U.S. Navys premiere maritime mobile logistics organization, which supports the Seventh Fleet area of operations. Located to Southeast Asia, the organization logistically supplies the U.S. Navys deployed surface units and aircraft carriers in the Western Pacific along with regional allies and partners.

Hawaii Army National Guard (HIARNG) Cpt. Michelle R. Amparan, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 103d Troop Command (TC), takes a photo with Command Sgt. Maj. Tyrone L. Redding during a change of command ceremony between Capt. Crystal K. Rodrigues and Capt. Michelle R. Amparan, April 2, 2022. Amparan assumed command of HHC, 103d TC; 297th Fire Fighting Team and 1950th Contingency Contracting Team.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Thomas Galoff, participates in a retirement ceremony near Camp Ripley's Town Hall, June 4, 2022. Galoff will retire this summer from his fulltime position with more than 40 years of service. He began his career in 1980 with the Wisconsin National Guards 724th Engineer Battalion as a combat engineer and heavy equipment operator. (Minnesota National Guard Photo by Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh)

From left, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Harvey Gould, the senior ordinance logistics officer for the 1st Infantry Division, U.S. Army Col. John B. Mountford, Deputy Commanding Officer - Maneuver for the 1st Infantry Division, and U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Derek Alford cut the cake during a cake cutting ceremony celebrating the 104th birthday of the Warrant Officer Corps at Poznan, Poland, July 9, 2022. U.S. Army warrant officers make up less than three percent of total Army strength, and continue to train, advise and serve as the Armys technical experts and trusted advisors.

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