Modern Military Training and Ceremonies

Images of U.S. military personnel in training and ceremonial events, highlighting discipline, uniformity, and military ceremonies in various settings.

U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Parker Boden, a new Marine with Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, stands in formation during family day at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, November 17, 2022. Pvt. Boden is a native of Hidden Valley Lake, California and was recruited out of Recruiting Station San Francisco by Sgt. Elizabeth Helbig.
U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Parker Boden, a new Marine with Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, stands in formation during family day at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, November 17, 2022. Pvt. Boden is a native of Hidden Valley Lake, California and was recruited out of Recruiting Station San Francisco by Sgt. Elizabeth Helbig.
153 assets in this story
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III renders honors as a soloist sings the national anthem, during the annual POW/MIA recognition ceremony at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Sept. 16, 2022.
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From L to R) U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Peterson, Chicago Recruiting Battalion command sergeant major; U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Renee Barton, policy NCOIC, J-3/5/7; and U.S. Army Lt. Col. Shane Doolan. Chicago Recruiting Battalion commander, pose for a photo during an awards ceremony at USMEPCOM, Aug. 9.
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U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Mark Gatch, staff non-commissioned officer in charge of Marine Air Control Squadron (MACS) 4, gives a speech during his retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, May 24, 2022. Gatch enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1997 and served 25 years of honorable and faithful service to the Marine Corps.
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U.S. Marines and Fuzileiros Navais do Brazil (Brazilian Marines) discuss the integration of female recruits in current male training battalions during U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Souths Brazilian Recruit Assessment Jan. 15, 2024, at the Almirante Milcíades Portela Alves Instruction Center, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Marines from the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, assessed the training processes and infrastructure of the Brazilian Marine Corps to aid in Brazils first group of female Marine Corps recruits. The integration will begin in February 2024 and will create service opportunities that were previously closed to women.
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U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Victoria Arvizu, an operations specialist assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63), frocks U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Third Class Victor Loreto, a corpsman with Combat Logistics Battalion 11, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, to the rank of petty officer second class during a frocking ceremony on Camp Pendleton, California, June 30, 2022. A frocking ceremony provides early recognition for Sailors who have been selected to advance to the next rank.
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AS2(AW) Enrique Whittaker, assigned to Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 14, shares some remarks with members of his command and family during his re-enlistment ceremony aboard the decommissioned Iowa-Class Battleship USS Wisconsin (BB-64). The ceremony was facilitated and hosted by the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, one of ten U.S. Navy Museums within the Naval History and Heritage Command. The museum is located next door to the battleship in Downtown Norfolk, Virginia and hosts military ceremonies without cost for area commands.
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230403-N-LK647-1566 NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (April 3, 2023) Virginia Military Institute alum Ens. Dane Hamilton answers student questions in the ward room of the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), during a tour while the ship is in home port with the Ford Carrier Strike Group, April 3, 2023. The Ford Carrier Strike Group returned to home port after completing its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), an intense, multi-week exercise designed to fully integrate a carrier strike group as a cohesive, multi-mission fighting force and to test their ability to carry out sustained combat operations from the sea. As the first-in-class ship of the Ford-class aircraft carriers, CVN 78 represents a generational leap in the U.S. Navys capacity to project power on a global scale.
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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Christopher Thomas, outgoing sergeant major, 4th Marine Logistics Group, holds an award during his retirement ceremony at Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Jan. 8, 2024. Thomas is a Louisiana native who honorably served for 29 years.
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Illinois Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Avaceli Padilla talks to a Univision reporter at the Illinois Army National Guard's North Riverside armory. Governor JB Pritzker issued an emergency disaster proclamation on Sept. 14 and activated approximately 75 members of the Illinois National Guard to ensure all state resources are available to support asylum seekers arriving nearly daily to Chicago. More than 60 percent of the Soldiers and Airmen activated are Spanish speakers. The proclamation enables the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and other state agencies, in close coordination with the City of Chicago, Cook County, and other local governments, to ensure the individuals and families receive the assistance they need. This includes transport, emergency shelter and housing, food, health screenings, medical assessments, treatments, and other necessary care and services.
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Sailors assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) observe University of Michigan's Naval Officer Reserve Training Corps midshipmen conduct a color guard rehearsal while visiting the university's stadium, The Big House, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, September 2, 2022. Twelve Ford Sailors traveled to Michigan for the ships annual namesake visit to learn about the legacy of President Gerald R. Ford and connect with local community members in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Albion.
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U.S. Army Central welcomed members of the Lebanese Army during a key leader engagement at Patton Hall September 28. During the visit the delegation received a tour of Patton Hall and met with key leaders, discussing partnerships and interoperability.
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Practice Inaugural parade. CPL Keith Dickey, UMC, from the 8th and I street Marine Barracks, Washington D.C. stand at parade rest as presidential Cordon on Constitution Avenue, northside of Capitol Building. Base: Washington State: District Of Columbia (DC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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030303-A-XXXXX-112. Base: Camp New Jersey Country: Kuwait (KWT) Scene Major Command Shown: Northeast
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220401-N-EJ241-2022DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (April 1, 2022) - Capt. Richard D. Payne, commanding officer of Naval Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia, speaks to chief petty officers assigned to NSF Diego Garcia and several tenant commands during a cake cutting in honor of the 129th Chief Petty Officer birthday. The rank of chief petty officer was first established by the U.S. Navy, April 1, 1893, and since then, chiefs have been leading Sailors on the deckplates around the world.
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040703-7564-002. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Campt Caldwell Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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NEWPORT, RI. (June 30, 2022) From left, Rear Adm. Pete Garvin, commander, Naval Education and Training Command, Capt. Charles Varsogea, commanding officer, Naval Chaplaincy School (NCS), and Chief of Chaplains of the Navy Rear Adm. Gregory Todd lower their heads for the benediction during the NCS assumption of command ceremony at Naval Station Newport, June 30, 2022. NCS trains Navy chaplains and religious program specialists to fulfill a critical role in helping the Department of the Navy achieve and maintain a ready force by preparing religious ministry team members to minister across the sea services to build personal, unit, and family readiness and strengthen spirit, moral character, and toughness.
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France, Brittany, Coetquidan, Guer on 2021-09-23. Report on the training of the Inter-Arms Military School in Saint-Cyr Coetquidan in Morbihan. The EMIA recruits its students from among active non-commissioned officers and non-commissioned soldiers selected by competition. The cadets follow a two-year training course. At the end of the first year, they are appointed to the rank of second lieutenant, then lieutenant at the end of the second year. Photograph by Martin Bertrand. France, Bretagne, Coetquidan, Guer le 2021-09-23. Reportage sur la formation de l' Ecole militaire interarmes à Saint-Cyr Coetquidan dans le Morbihan. L'EMIA recrute ses eleves parmi les sous-officiers d'active et les militaires du rang selectionnes par concours. Les eleves-officiers suivent une formation de deux ans. A l'issue de la première annee, ils sont nommés au grade de sous-lieutenant, puis de lieutenant a la fin de la seconde annee. Photographie de Martin Bertrand.
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A U.S. Marine Corps senior drill instructor with Delta Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, gives a speech to recruits on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Jan 21, 2022. The senior drill instructors speech lays out the expectations of recruits throughout their time in recruit training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dakota Dodd)
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Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environmental, the Honorable Ms. Meredith Berger; Lieutenant General Edward D. Banta, Deputy Commandant, Installations and Logistics (I&L); and Major General Keith D. Reventlow, commanding general, Marine Corps Logistics Command (LOGCOM), listen to members of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce during their 18th annual meeting with Marine Corps leadership in Washington D.C. on September 15, 2022. The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce met with Marine Corps leadership and the Georgia congressional delegation to discuss how current and future Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Albany and LOGCOM initiatives align with the global force posture. The visit further reinforces the value of MCLB Albany and LOGCOM to members of Congress and explores ways the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, local community and members of Congress can support the needs of the base and its tenant commands.
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Lauren Knausenberger, Department of the Air Force chief information officer, listens to the 18th Wing mission brief during a visit to Kadena Air Base, Japan, Oct. 3, 2022. Knausenberger toured the installations cyber infrastructure and spoke with personnel from the 18th Communications Squadron about their mission, equipment, innovation and capabilities in the region.
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Tech. Sgt. Candace Garcia, member of the 149th Fighter Wing inspection team, poses some questions to Tech. Sgt. Adam Dryden, 149th Maintenance Squadron, following an active shooter training exercise June 30, 2022 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The 149th periodically conducts these types of exercises to evaluate airmen on their response efforts and better prepare them for real-world crisis situations.
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U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, answers questions during a press conference for the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, Camp Kisarazu, Japan, June 16, 2022. This iteration of PALS brought senior leaders of allied and partnered militaries together to discuss amphibious force readiness, expeditionary advanced base operations, intermediate force capabilities, and ways to improve interoperability between partners within the Indo-Pacific region. A total of 18 participating delegations from Asia, Australia, Europe, South America, and North America participated in the symposium.
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U.S. Marines with 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and attendees stand during the dedication ceremony of the Michael A. Noline Community Building, honoring Pfc. Michael A. Noline, a fallen member of their battalion at the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, Arizona, May 14, 2022. Noline, a member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, who served as a light armored vehicle (LAV) crewman for 3rd Light Armored Infantry Battalion, was killed in action in support of Operation Desert Storm, Jan. 26, 1991.
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Tech Sgt. Benjamin Ekblad, assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, sings at the Clark County Government Center, Sept. 11, 2022. The ceremony was dedicated to the 2,977 people who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 and to the more than 6,000 others who were injured.
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U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 1st Class Maurice I. Nwagbara addresses attendees during his retirement ceremony on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Feb. 9, 2024. Nwagbara moved to the United States from his native village in Nigeria, and retires after more than 20 years of service. Marine Corps
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Exterior, MLS, MG Frank Libutti, USMC, Commanding General 1ST Marine Division standing with an enlisted Marine, both in BDU's. They are shaking hands and are holding a sword between them. Ceremony, presentation of an NCO sword to an enlisted Marine. Directly behind them is a ship's bell, "USS WHARTON 1940". The bell is from the USS WHARTON (AP-7) a WW II Troop Transport. The ship was named for the third Commandant of the Marine Corps, LTC Frank Wharton. Base: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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SAN FRANCISCO (Oct. 6, 2022) U.S. Marines with the 1st Marine Division Band answer questions for civilians attending the Honor Our Fallen tribute concert at Herbst Theatre War Memorial as part of San Francisco Fleet Week (SFFW) 2022. SFFW is an opportunity for the American public to meet their Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard teams and experience America's sea services. During Fleet Week, service members participate in various community service events, showcase capabilities and equipment to the community, and enjoy the hospitality of the city and its surrounding areas.
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060824-N-3946H-061. Base: USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63)
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CAPT. Rens, left, commanding officer of the survey ship USNS HARKNESS (T-AGS-32), briefs an Egyptian admiral during the mine countermeasures Operation Intense Look. Subject Operation/Series: INTENSE LOOK Base: Port Suez Country: Egypt (EGY)
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U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Aaron Webster, Marine Corps Recruiting Command national partnership engagement officer, and Staff Sgt. Ian Mills, an imagery analysis specialist, present awards to Halo Championship Series competitors at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., on Sept., 25. Top players were presented with customized dog tags unique to their individual achievements. The Marine Corps emphasizes the importance of prompt recognition of an individual's achievement or service as it is vital to the morale of not just the individual but the entire unit.
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980621-F-3645W-001. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Recruits take the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America during a naturalization ceremony inside the Recruit Memorial Chapel at Recruit Training Command (RTC). More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy's only boot camp.
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GREAT LAKES, Ill (Jan. 30, 2013) Nineteen recruits at Recruit Training Command (RTC) take the Oath of Allegiance to become United States citizens. Since 2010, The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, in partnership with RTC, has expedited citizenship for more than 1,650 recruits during boot camp training.
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040709-F-9891G-003. Base: San Antonio State: Texas (TX) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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New U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, are instructed to move faster during receiving at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, Sept. 19, 2022. Receiving is the recruits' first day at MCRD San Diego, where they were checked for contraband, given haircuts, made phone calls home, and issued gear.
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New U.S. Marine Corps recruits with Charlie Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, are instructed to move faster during receiving at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, Sept. 19, 2022. Receiving is the recruits' first day at MCRD San Diego, where they were checked for contraband, given haircuts, made phone calls home, and issued gear.
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California Cadet Corps cadets and scouts from the Gerakan Pramuka Indonesia take a selfy on August 10, 2022, at the officer's dining hall, in New Delhi, India. Cadets from over 14 countries participated in the Youth Exchange Program hosted by the Indian National Cadet Corps.
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220510-N-SY758-1076 NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (May 10, 2022) Cmdr. Sam T. Sareini, commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94), discusses the combat capabilities of the Nitze to The honorable Shawn G. Skelly, assistant Secretary of Defense for readiness, as part of a tour of the ship, May 10, 2022. George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is an integrated combat weapons system that delivers superior combat capability to deter, and if necessary, defeat Americas adversaries in support of national security.
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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Basic cadets from the class of 2026 arrive at the U.S. Air Force Academy for in-processing (I-Day), on June 23, 2022, in Colorado Springs, Colo. I-Day marks the start of their journey of becoming a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force.
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Capt. Harrison Summerour, left, and Capt. David Arneberg, right, pilots with the 67th Fighter Squadron, discuss their experience with Japanese Air Self Defense Force cadets at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 27, 2022. The Japanese Observer Exchange Program enhances the partnership between the U.S. and Japan, strengthening interoperability.
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U.S. service members at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni swear in during 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.
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Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., to view Marine Corps Evening Parade, deliver remarks, and attend reception at the site, a National Historic Landmark
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U.S. Air Force Airmen deliver flowers to Maj. Gen. Derek Frances family during the Third Air Force assumption of command ceremony at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, June 22, 2022. France was commissioned at the United States Air Force Academy in May 1992, where he went on to become a command pilot with more than 2,900 hours of flightime in the F-15, F-22, and F-16.
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220425-N-DD694-1022 WASHINGTON (April 25, 2022) Musician 1st Class Justin Mendez, left, and Musician 1st Class Ryan Connelly stand together during their E6 pinning ceremony. Musicians selected for the United States Navy Band are promoted to E6 upon arrival.
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Brigadier General Edward Honor, USN (uncovered). Country: Unknown
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030925-M-4330-004. Base: Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma State: Arizona (AZ) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Station
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Chief Master Sgt. Brett Kemp, 649th Munitions Squadron, lights the candle representing the rank of Chief Master Sergeant during Hill Air Force Base's Chief Induction Ceremony held Mar. 31, 2023 in Ogden, Utah. The lighting ceremony represents each of the nine enlisted ranks in the United States Air Force.
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Debra and Gary Holman, surviving family of Tech. Sgt. Steven Holman, place amemorial sign for their son on a lamp post at MacDill Air Force Base,Florida during the Second Annual Memorial Day Remembrance event May 25,2022. Volunteers from MacDill AFB and the surrounding community cametogether to place 75 signs around MacDill to honor fallen service members.
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U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Dorothy Sherwood, 355th Wing Public Affairs Command Information Section Chief, looks into a display case at the 357th Fighter Squadron that was dedicated to honoring former Dragons throughout the years at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, May 9, 2022. Over 77 years of history has been preserved in the display case with momentums ranging from World War II and the Vietnam War.
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040621-F-9072P-002. Base: Mildenhall State: Suffolk Country: England / Great Britain (ENG)
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Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks speaks at the National Capital Region ROTC Detachment commencement at Fort Myer, Virginia, May 20, 2022. The class of 2022 had 87 cadets with 14 of them commissioning as Distinguished Military Graduates, the top 20% of cadets in the nation.