Modern Military Training Exercises

Images capturing U.S. soldiers engaged in tactical training exercises, focusing on demolition, convoy reactions, and marksmanship in diverse environments.

East-Coast-based U.S. Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs) conduct a simulated injury during a training exercise at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, Dec. 12, 2022. As a component of Naval Special Warfare, Naval Special Warfare Group TWO strives to produce, support and deploy the finest maritime commandos on the planet, enabling Naval Special Warfare to conduct full-spectrum operations, unilaterally or with partners, to support national objectives.

Spc. Michael Stevens, a public affairs mass communications specialist for the 361st Theater Public Affairs Support Element, records video footage of Soldiers of the 317th Engineer Company, 863rd Engineer Battalion, 372nd Engineer Brigade, prepare a Bangalore torpedo charge July 26, 2021, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The Soldiers conducted a breach-in-stride demolition range to build charge familiarization and practice safety procedures while working with C-4 explosive agent.

Soldiers from 615th Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade react to contact in a convoy during a training exercise at Oberdachstetten Training Area, Germany, April 28, 2022. Exercises like this help to keep Soldiers familiarized with buddy carries and tactical movements.

Advisors assigned to 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade conduct marksmanship drills with the 95th Civil Affairs Advanced Skills Detachment at Fort Bragg, N.C., Mar. 30, 2022. The advisors conducted the training in preparation for upcoming deployments.

U.S. Army Spc. Cristian, Fuentes-Velazquez left, and Sgt. Benjamin Minnig, both assigned to the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade team, tactically plan for their next task during the U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, Aug. 9, 2022. Teams from across U.S. Army Europe and Africa test their tactical proficiency, communication, and overall cohesion as they compete for the title of Best Squad. Winners of this competition will advance to represent U.S. Army Europe and Africa at the U.S. Army Best Squad Competition at Fort Bragg, North Carolina later this year.

GULFPORT, Miss. (May 6, 2022) Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, conduct counter improvised explosive device (C-IED) casualty response training aboard Woolmarket Small Arms Range. NMCB 1 is conducting an intense homeport training plan to expand their ability to execute construction, humanitarian assistance, and theater operations.

A soldier assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division gets hands-on training on the M240B Machine Gun to earn the Expert Infantry Badge at Fort Stewart, Georgia, on Jan. 19, 2023. The Expert Infantryman Badge was created along with the Combat Infantryman Badge by executive order in November 1943 during World War II and is outlined in Army circular 269.

East-Coast-based U.S. Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs) conduct a simulated injury during a training exercise at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, Dec. 12, 2022. As a component of Naval Special Warfare, Naval Special Warfare Group TWO strives to produce, support and deploy the finest maritime commandos on the planet, enabling Naval Special Warfare to conduct full-spectrum operations, unilaterally or with partners, to support national objectives.

U.S. Army Spc. Keo Taianao, right, fist-bumps Spc. Sirena Sanchez at the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile site "Excalibur" in Dededo, Guam, Sept. 21. Taianao and Sanchez are members of the Guam National Guard's 1224th Engineer Support Company, which is mobilized to provide site security for Task Force Talon of the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.

A 96th Security Forces Squadron senior airman secures a torniquet onto the leg of his wingman during an active assailant exercise at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida Feb. 26, 2024. The event, part of a large-scale Air Force Materiel Command exercise examined the defenders response to an active assailant when their standard means of communication are removed due to a power outage. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Sgt. William Brandon, Combat Medic Specialist, 101st Airborne Division, escorts a casualty to safety during the Army's Best Medic Competition. Twenty-two two-Soldier teams from all around the world traveled to Fort Hood, Texas to compete in the finals to be named the Armys Best Medic. The competition is a 72-hour arduous test of the teams physical and mental skills. Competitors must be agile, adaptive leaders who demonstrate mature judgment while testing collective team skills in areas of physical fitness, tactical marksmanship, leadership, warrior skills, land navigation and overall knowledge of medical, technical and tactical proficiencies through a series of hands-on tasks in a simulated operational environment. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Herman)

Spc. Nathaniel Miska of Oakdale, Minnesota, a Carpentry and Masonry Specialist with the Minnesota National Guards 850th Engineer Company, performs a functions check on the M240B machine gun during the Region IV Best Warrior Competition May 11-15, 2022 at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. The annual competition tests the military skills, physical strength and endurance of the top Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from the Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio National Guards. The winners will move on to compete in the National Guards competition on July 20-30, 2022, at Camp Smyrna, Tennessee. (Minnesota National Guard photo by Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh)

FORT HOOD, Texas - U.S. Army Spc. Anthony Bernardo, a signals collection analyst assigned to 18th Space Control Company and Pfc. Nestly George, an advance enhanced early warning systems operator assigned to 22nd Theatre Missile Warning Company, bound to a secured position during the urban obstacle lane of the FORSCOM Best Squad Competition 2022 at Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 17, 2022. The Best Squad Competition promotes esprit de corps and recognizes Soldiers who demonstrate commitment to Army Values and embody the Warrior Ethos.

New York Army National Guard Sgt. Adam Crist (in focus), a medical noncommissioned officer with the 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 42nd Infantry Division, and other service members competed in the 26th Annual Marksmanship Advisory Council Region One (MAC1) Combat Championships held at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site in Jericho, August 19-21, 2022. The MAC1 provides a combat focused marksmanship sustainment training event and competition for all the states in New England and New York. These matches are the second priority in the Chief of the National Guard Bureaus guidance for sustainment training events. The matches are operational focused marksmanship sustainment exercises, designed to validate and sustain perishable marksmanship skills essential to mobilization readiness and success.

Sgt. Matthew Fiore, a UH-60 Helicopter Repairer with Alpha Company of the 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment performs simulated medical evacuation in the Region 3 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition held at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Fla., on May 12th, 2022. Soldiers in the Army National Guard gather to compete, build esprit de corps, and represent their respective states for the upcoming national competition.

Joint training exercise with Det 2. 6 Co. 3/238th AVN MEDEVAC, Cox Health and Missouri State Highway Patrol at Hercules Glade Wilderness, Bradleyville, Mo., Oct. 06, 2022. Multiple Missouri departments teamed up to practice life-saving MEDEVAC scenarios. (Photo by U.S. Army National Guard Spc. Rose Di Trolio.)

Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School participate in Basic Urban Combat training during the Tactical Skills portion of the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) at Camp Mackall, North Carolina January 6, 2023. Soldiers participated in SFQC training that tested their knowledge of small unit tactics and basic urban operations to ensure they possess the combat skills required to successfully operate on a Special Forces Operational Detatchment Alpha.

KFOR multinational partners participate in Medical Evacuation and hoist extraction training conducted by Task Force Pegasus Soldiers, at Camp Novo Selo July 19, 2022. Training like this builds interoperability between the Army and its multinational partners.

Army ROTC Cadet Savannah Mower, Shippensburg University, throws a practice hand grenade while training with 3rd Regiment, Advanced Camp, at Fort Knox, Ky., June 18, 2022. Each Cadet threw five practice hand grenades, three in the standing position and two in the kneeling position. | Photo by Kyle Crawford, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

Staff Sgt. Edwin Pierce, an observer coach/trainer for the 120th Infantry Brigade, right, provides feedback on video footage recorded by Spc. Michael Stevens, a public affairs mass communications specialist for the 361st Theater Public Affairs Support Element, left, July 26, 2021, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The 361st TPASE is preparing for an upcoming deployment to the U.S. Army Central area of responsibility.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ashante Short, assigned to the Tennessee National Guard's 30th Troop Command, reads off the list of qualified soldiers on individual weapons, April 9, at Tullahoma's Volunteer Training Site. Short ensured all lanes received their qualification numbers quickly upon the completion of their table.

060228-A-1211S-016. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Fob Normandy State: Diyala Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: A

A cadre member scores a Soldiers target after the Soldier completed the 9mm range yesterday at Ft. Lee, Va. Soldiers from multiple divisions have gathered here to complete the 2023 Best Warrior Competition hosted by the 80th Training Command.

A British soldier assigned to Royal Army Medical Corps finds a casualty in a tunnel as part of multinational trauma lane training during Defender 22 at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, May 25, 2022. Defender Europe 2022 is a series of U.S. Army Europe and Africa multinational training exercises taking place in Eastern Europe. The exercise demonstrates U.S. Army Europe and Africas ability to conduct large-scale ground combat operations across multiple theaters in support of NATO.

U.S. Soldiers with Company A, 10th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division work together as a team to master an obstacle at the Leaders Reaction Course at the 7th Army Training Commands Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, May 24, 2022. 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division is part of the 1st Infantry Division and V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe that works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat ready forces, executes joint and multinational training exercises, and retains command and control for its rotational and assigned units in the European Theater.

Army Reserve Soldiers with 290th Military Police Brigade fill-out intake forms after arriving to Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in Mississippi, July 23, 2022. The Soldiers, who will go through Soldier Readiness Processing, are at CSJFTC to participate in Pershing Strike 2022, a large exercise used to test the capabilities of CSJFTC to mobilized and certify units prior to deploying. (Arizona Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brian A. Barbour.)

Tech. Sgt. Lisa Smith, 66th Medical Squadron dental logistics NCOIC, gives commands to Staff Sgt. Lebria White, 66th Medical Squadron dental technician, during expeditionary readiness skills training at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., Aug. 18. The training ensures Airmen are able to move and communicate effectively while engaging with a target using non-firing rifles.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 254th Regiment (Combat Arms) pass in review during the 2017 New Jersey National Guard Military Review at the National Guard training Center, Sea Girt, N.J., Oct. 1, 2017. The Military Review is a long-standing tradition that allows the governor - the commander-in-chief of the state militia - the opportunity to review the Soldiers and Airmen of the New Jersey National Guard. (New Jersey National Guard

Senior Airman Delario Smith and Tech. Sgt. Rachel Harris run to a new location while Tech. Sgt. Joshua Aanderud and Senior Airman Greg Allen lay down covering fire during a move, shoot, communicate course, May 13, 2022, at Camp James A. Garfield Joint Military Training Center, Ohio. All four Airmen are Defenders with the 403rd Security Forces Squadron at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. The event was part of the two-week Integrated Defense Leadership Course, based at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, and using training grounds at CJAG. IDLC was designed to provide Reserve Defenders with intensely focused hands-on training to achieve and maintain combat readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eric M. White)

Day four of the 310th ESC Best Warrior Competition, Feb. 7, 2024 consisted of M4 rifle qualification, an obstacle course and a medical assessment/movement lane at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. Spc. Martin Baker reviewed his M4 zero shots prior to moving to the qualification range.

Soldiers with the 370th Chemical Company participate in weapons qualifications on ranges at Fort McCoy, Wis., as part of the Red Dragon exercise in August, 2022. U.S. Army photo by Kevin W. Clark

Soldiers from the 366th Military Police Company mounts an M2 .50 caliber machine gun on a humvee during their situational training exercise as part of Pacific Warrior. Soldiers with the 11th Military Police Brigade spent two weeks in Fort Hunter Liggett, California training on basic Army Warrior Tasks, weapons qualification, military police specific tasks, and support tasks.

U.S. Army Infantryman with the 7th Infantry Division, I Corps, point to acknowledge their sectors of fire as given by a grader during a field exercise as part of the warrior lanes exercises for the I Corps Best Squad Competition June 22, 2022, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Eleven squads competed over five competition days in events including marksmanship, fitness tests, field exercises, obstacle courses, a ruck march and a review board.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Quinton Griffin (left), a mortarman with 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, loads an M224 60 mm mortar system while conducting squad attacks during a live-fire range at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 28, 2022. This training improved the Marines proficiency at the tactical level and developed small-unit leadership. 3/3 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program.

U.S. Army squads from across III Armored Corps compete for the title of the corps Best Squad during a head-to-head competition at the III Armored Corps Best Squad Competition 2022 at Fort Hood, Texas, Jun. 24, 2022. On day three of the competition, all squads were tested on their marksmanship and enemy awareness by individually firing on a training range with sporadic pop-up targets. The 1st Cavalry Division squad converses as a team and prepares for the marksmanship event. The III Armored Corps pulled only the best from across its divisions and separate brigades to compete in this years inaugural competition. The best squad goes on to compete in the U.S. Army Forces Command competition at Fort Hood in August.

U.S. Soldiers with 2nd Platoon, 58th Military Police Company, brief their Soldiers during a platoon exercise, Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Sept. 28, 2022. The purpose of the exercise was to increase readiness when operating as a platoon sized element in populated urban terrain.

Sgt. Mayra Perez-Velasquez, Headquarters Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, was promoted by Arkansas National Guard Land Component Commander Col. Tony Shepherd who visited the gun line for the Multi Launch Rocket System (MLRS) during the live fire exercise Operation Razorback Thunder 2022 at Fort Chaffee, Ark., May 20, 2022. Perez-Velasquez, a native of Guatemala, emigrated from San Marcos-Tacana to Arkansas in 2011. Guatemala has been Arkansas' State Partnership Program country for more than 20 years.(Photo by U.S. Army National Guard Cpl. Bryce Colvert)

U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Homar Vallejo and Senior Airman John Wyoscki from the 53d Air Traffic Control Squadron, Robins Air Force Base acts as a landing zone safety officer during AGILE FLAG 22-2 at Avon Air Field, Florida, July 20, 2022. AGILE FLAG 22-2 will test the Lead Wing Commanders ability to utilize their A-staff to generate combat air power while continuing to move, maneuver, and sustain the Wing and subordinate force elements in a dynamic and contested environment.

Paratroopers across the 82nd Airborne Division finish the 12 mile road march, complete a weapons test, and recieve their E3B on Fort Bragg, NC, April 7, 2023. 371 Paratroopers and Soldiers across multiple units and locations successfully completed E3B.

Spc. Brady Benedict, representing the U.S. Army Reserve, secures a simulated casualty to a skedco stretcher during the medical lanes portion of the Armys first-ever Best Squad Competition on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 1, 2022. The Army Best Squad Competition succeeds the Army Best Warrior Competition and extends the competing element from the individual level to the squad level, as Soldiers never fight alone; the unbreakable bonds forged through shared hardship and unending support for one another are the hallmark of our most successful small units.

Soldiers from the Florida Army National Guard compete during the 2022 Adjutant General's (TAG) match, Sept. 10th, 2022, at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Florida. The TAG match is an annual marksmanship competition held amongst soldiers of the Florida Army National Guard. The competition consists of both handgun and rifle courses of fire.

525th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade held the Interrogation Olympics, a human intelligence gathering competition featuring thirteen teams from across Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard. Day one consisted of teams conducting lanes incorporating numerous Soldier skills and intelligence collection techniques.

Soldiers at Fort McCoy for the 78th Training Divisions Warrior Exercise 78-22-02 participate in a training scenario July 18, 2022, at a training area at Fort McCoy, Wis. The exercise, according to the Army Reserve, trained and evaluated Soldiers on Army Warrior Skill-level 10 tasks through various training lanes and situational-training exercises, and more. The exercise took place at Fort McCoy throughout July 2022. (Photo by Kevin Clark, Fort McCoy Multimedia-Visual Information Office)

U.S. Army Maj. Taib Grozdanic (left), Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation Bosnia and Herzegovina at the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, visits the rappelling tower at Kasarna Manjaca, Dobrnja, Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 18, 2022. Guard members assigned to the State Medical Detachment and 1-169th Aviation Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, trained alongside active duty Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina soldiers in tactics, aviation, medical, and non-commissioned officer development. The Maryland National Guard will celebrate 20 years of partnership State with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina through the National Guard Bureaus State Partnership Program next year.

Indiana National Guard Spc. Silvia Rodriquez, a combat engineer with 776th Engineer Battalion, fires a 12-gauge breacher round into a door while practicing breaching techniques at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, Aug. 19, 2022. Army engineers are experts in mobility, counter-mobility, engineering and survival.

U.S. Army Soldiers attending the Advanced Leaders Course at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officer Academy - Fort Eustis demonstrate learned leadership knowledge and skills during the Commandant's Challenge May 19, 2022 at Fort Eustis, Virginia. The Commandant's Challenge is focused on developing leaders of character through an emphasis on the warrior ethos and teamwork in a simulated combat environment.

U.S. Army Officer Candidate School cadets Julia Yang and Helder Banegas, with the New Jersey Army National Guard, participate in combined leadership and hilltop tactics familiarization at the Bunavi Individual Training Center, April 6, 2022, in Vlorë, Albania. New Jersey Army National Guard soldiers selected to Officer Candidate School, along with their leadership cadre, traveled to Albania to participate with Albanian Armed Forces OCS cadets, strengthening the 20 year New Jersey-Albania Partnership, which is one of 22 European partnerships that make up the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program and one of 65 worldwide partnerships that make up the National Guard State Partnership Program.

U.S. Marines with 2d Combat Engineer Battalion, 2d Marine Division, view their targets during the Sapper Leaders Course on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 3, 2022. This course provides combat engineer squad leaders with the technical and tactical proficiency required to provide mobility, counter mobility and survivability to infantry company commanders.

U. S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, the Adjutant General of the Massachusetts National Guard (MANG), is given a tour by U. S. Army Capt. Tyler Parker, Company Commander, India Company, 250th Brigade Support Battalion, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, MANG, during the eXportable Combat Training Capability exercise, July 22, 2022, at Ft. Drum, N. Y. India Company is a forward support company that transports supplies to infantry units conducting combat operations in the field. More than 2,500 Soldiers are participating in the training event, which enables brigade combat teams to achieve the trained platoon readiness necessary to deploy, fight, and win.

U.S. Army Soldiers participating in Jungle School perform medical evacuation and jungle penetrator training at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, on Sept. 22, 2022. Jungle students learned how to load a casualty onto the HH-60M Blackhawk correctly and were shown how the jungle penetrator works.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the New Jersey National Guard's 508th Military Police Company take part in the updated combat pistol qualification course (CPQC) on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., June 10, 2021.

New Mexico National Guard personnel and U.S. Forestry Service personnel from Idaho form a chain to place sandbags at a residents home in Mora, New Mexico. Soldiers and Airmen have filled over 180,000 sandbags and delivered them to residents with homes at risk of flooding after record wildfires burned over 340,000 acres near Gallinas Canyon.

U.S. Army Paratroopers participate in Initial Manifest Call (IMC) to prepare for an airborne jump from UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters at Fort Bragg, N.C. on Apr. 27, 2022. The purpose of IMC is to gather a manifest of people who will be participating in an airborne jump.

Georgian Defense Forces scan their sectors of fire for a defensive position training scenario held during Noble Partner located in the Vaziani Training Area, Georgia. Noble Partner is designed to enhance regional partnerships and increase U.S. force readiness and interoperability in a realistic, multinational training environment. The exercise allows participants to conduct situational training exercises, and combined mechanized maneuvers.

Georgian Defense Forces scan their sectors of fire for a defensive position training scenario held during Noble Partner located in the Vaziani Training Area, Georgia. Noble Partner is designed to enhance regional partnerships and increase U.S. force readiness and interoperability in a realistic, multinational training environment. The exercise allows participants to conduct situational training exercises, and combined mechanized maneuvers.

9th Mission Support Command squad go over their plans July 20 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, during the squad lane for the 2022 U.S. Army Pacific Best Squad Competition. The 2022 U.S. Army Pacific Best Squad Competition consists of multiple 5-Soldier squads from USARPAC units competing for the opportunity to represent USARPAC at the Department of the Armys competition. stations. The non-commissioned officers and junior enlisted will be assessed together in their ability to execute warrior tasks and battle drills, marksmanship and land navigation, and will be challenged to complete a mission as a squad.

A Soldier with 1245th Transportation Company, Oklahoma Army National Guard treats a wounded Soldier during the Combat Life Saving training lane in support of the Golden Coyote Training Exercise at Camp Rapid, South Dakota, June 13, 2022. Golden Coyote is a three-phase scenario driven exercise conducted in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming, which enables Commanders to focus on mission essentials warrior tasks and drills.

Tech. Sgt. Michael Mattern and Master Sgt. Derrick Stokes, both assigned to the 94th Security Forces Squadron, inspect the gate at Silver Flag during an exercise at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. Sept. 21, 2022. Dobbins ARB hosted, coordinated, and participated in a base-wide exercise, called United Forces 22-01, from Sept. 19-25 to test readiness capabilities.

Soldiers with 1245th Transportation Company, Oklahoma Army National Guard, transport a casualty during a Mounted Combat/Logistics training lane in support of Golden Coyote at West Camp Rapid, South Dakota, June 14, 2022. Golden Coyote is a three-phase scenario driven exercise conducted in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming, which enables Commanders to focus on mission essentials warrior tasks and drills.

U.S. Marines with III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) run towards an MV-22B Osprey assigned toMarine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265 during a Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques(HRST) Master Course at Landing Zone Sterling, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 9, 2022. Fast roping allowsMarines to enter landing zones that are too dangerous for helicopters to safely land. Fast rope andhelicopter rope suspension training teach Marines proper knots, rappelling techniques, and buildconfidence for maneuvering from air to ground.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Mineau, 15th Air Force vice commander, speaks with Airmen from the 822 Base Defense Squadron during his visit to Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, April 21, 2022. The Airmen explained how their training enhances squadron performance. Mineau visited Team Moody to learn about the mission assets of the 23rd Wing and 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing.

Alaska Army National Guard Spc. Wilson Berlin, left, an infantryman with 1st Battalion, 297th Infantry Regiment from Kwethluk, and Spc. Keaton Derouchie, a helicopter mechanic with D Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th General Support Aviation Battalion from Wasilla, assist local residents with damaged property as part of Operation Merbok Response in Toksook Bay, Alaska, Sept. 24, 2022. More than 130 members of the Alaska Organized Militia, which includes members of the Alaska National Guard, Alaska State Defense Force and Alaska Naval Militia, were activated following a disaster declaration issued Sept. 17 after the remnants of Typhoon Merbok caused dramatic flooding across more than 1,000 miles of Alaskan coastline. (Alaska National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Balinda O'Neal)

U.S. Staff Sgt. Alan Sanchez and Sgt. Darrell Utt, representing U.S Army Training and Doctrine Command in the Army Best Squad Competition confirm their location on a map during patrol lanes on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Oct. 3, 2022. The week-long competition will assess each squad on their technical and tactical proficiency, as well as their ability to work as a disciplined and cohesive team, featuring a multitude of fitness, knowledge and combat-related events.

Providers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division conduct a UH-60 jump on Fort Bragg, NC, March 30, 2022. The jump serves to bring awareness to the Army's SHARP program.

As teams, candidates maneuver an obstacle course during the Special Warfare Training Wing Assessment & Selection Course at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland on March 14, 2023. The Special Warfare Training Wing prepares candidates physically, mentally, emotionally and cognitively for demanding careers as special warfare operators.

U.S. Army soldier, assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, test fires an M17 pistol. Regular range visits allow soldiers to hone their marksmanship and ensure their weapon is functional.

U.S. Army soldiers, assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, inspects their vehicle during Motorpool Monday. Motorpool Monday is conducted weekly to ensure all vehicles are working efficiently.

Paratroopers across the 82nd Airborne Division finish the 12 mile road march, complete a weapons test, and recieve their E3B on Fort Bragg, NC, April 7, 2023. 371 Paratroopers and Soldiers across multiple units and locations successfully completed E3B.

Members of the U.S. Military Academy Class of 2026 complete the 12-mile road march, also known as March Back, from Lake Frederick to West Point signifying the successful completion of Cadet Basic Training.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Chaos Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (3-1ABCT), operationally controlled by the 1st Infantry Division (1 ID), prepare for live fire exercises at Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Nov. 18, 2022. The 3-1 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1 ID, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe.

Officer candidates conduct land navigation training on July 14, 2022, Stones Ranch Military Reservation, East Lyme, CT. Prior enlisted and first-time Soldiers undergo Officer Candidate School (OCS) to learn how to become an effective leader in the United States Army. (U.S. Army National Guard photos by Sgt. Terry Rajsombath)

A U.S. Army infantry squad with the Effingham-based Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 130 Infantry Regiment, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Illinois Army National Guard conducts a dismounted patrol during training lanes at Exercise Southern Vanguard 23 in Tolemaida Military Base, Colombia, Nov. 10, 2022. Exercise Southern Vanguard is U.S. Army Souths premier training exercise taking place at the operational and tactical levels intended to increase interoperability between the United States and Western Hemisphere forces. This years iteration, Exercise Southern Vanguard 23, involves Soldiers from U.S. Army South and the U.S. Army National Guard training alongside Colombian Army soldiers in varying terrain while conducting weapon familiarization lanes culminating in a bilateral military training operation. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class R.J. Lannom Jr.

U.S. Air Force Airmen lay their weapons down after completing tactical maneuver training during Fieldcraft Hostile (FCH) on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Aug. 2, 2022. FCH places students in realistic and strenuous training scenarios used to teach skills such as weapons control, combative techniques, communications, mounted and dismounted individual and team movements and land navigation.

Sgt. Andrew Pieper, a Soldier with 273rd Sapper Engineer Company, tests his mental resilience during the 12-mile ruck march during the Best Warrior Competition at Fort McCoy, Wis., April 9, 2022. The State Best Warrior Competition tested the 16 competing Soldiers on their basic Soldier skills to determine who will represent Wisconsin at the Regional Best Warrior Competition in May. (112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment photo by Spc. Alexandra Behne.)

U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael A. Grinston participates in the 82nd Airborne Division Little Group of Paratroopers (LGOP) range on Fort Bragg, N.C. on Apr. 4, 2022. This stress shoot is designed to measure the physical fitness and shooting capabilities of a Paratrooper in a stressful environment.

Spc. Joel Snyder, a combat medic assigned to 52nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, transports a casualty using a liter during expert field medical badge testing on Fort Carson, Colo., Aug. 23. The expert field medical badge demonstrates a soldiers proficiency in both medical and warrior tasks. U.S. Army photo by Maj. Jason Elmore.

U.S. Army Spc. Breadon Sutton, assigned to U.S. Army Network Enterprise Center Belgium, 39th Strategic Signal Battalion, gives a Situation Report during the Battle Drills lane of Army Warrior Training, on Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, May 25, 2022. This training tested the proficiency of Soldiers based on the unit Mission Essential Tasks List.

U.S. Army Col. Lesbia Nieves, brigade commander of the 85th Troop Command, Connecticut Army National Guard, talks to soldiers of the 192nd Military Police Battalion, Connecticut Army National Guard, during a command visit at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, June 27th, 2022. The battalion conducted vehicle live fires during their annual training.

Sgt. Richard Carlson of Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, a Health Care Specialist with the Minnesota National Guards Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Battalion, 94th Cavalry Regiment, studies his targets before firing a M240B machine gun during the Region IV Best Warrior Competition May 11-15, 2022 at Camp Ripley, Minnesota. The annual competition tests the military skills, physical strength and endurance of the top Soldiers and noncommissioned officers from the Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio National Guards. The winners will move on to compete in the National Guards competition on July 20-30, 2022, at Camp Smyrna, Tennessee. (Minnesota National Guard photo by Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh)

U.S. Army Soldiers and U.S. Air Force Airmen practice parachute landing procedures at the Airborne Sustainment Training Area, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 14, 2022, during RED FLAG-Alaska 22-2. RF-A provides realistic combat training by integrating joint, coalition and multilateral forces into simulated forward operating bases. The Soldiers are assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, and the Airmen are assigned to the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron, both at JBER and 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Security Forces members with the U.S. Air Force 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron apprehend a suspect during a simulated stabbing attack on Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, May 13, 2022. The simulated attack was part of Exercise Grand Shield 22-4, which tested the effectiveness and response time of 379th members.

U.S. Army Cpl. Trevor Franklin, a visual information specialist assigned to 55th Signal Company, conducts a tactical skill lane while competing in the 2022 Spc. Hilda I. Clayton Best Combat Camera Competition at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, May 20, 2022. The annual multi-day competition tests the tactical and technical proficiency of visual information and public affairs specialists across the DOD and participating international competitors.

Soldiers in the U.S. National Guard and Reserves give instruction and guidance to a member of the Kosovo Security Force as he treats a casualty with gauze during a field training exercise in the Camp Dodge training area while attending a combat medic course at the 185th Regional Training Institute in Johnston, Iowa, on May 17, 2022. Four KSF members are attending the course at the 185th RTI. The Iowa National Guard is partnered with Kosovo as part of the Department of Defenses State Partnership Program, which affords unique opportunities for cross training.

U.S. Army Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat team, 1st Armored Division, take on an opposing force during the Pre-Ranger course at Novo Selo Training Area (NSTA), Bulgaria, Feb. 15, 2024. Over eight days, the Pre-Ranger course evaluated the Strike Brigade Soldiers' skills that are needed to succeed at Ranger School and to enhance lethality on the battlefield. Army

U.S. Army Private First Class William Collins (left) 2-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion, Alpha Battery applies first aid to U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Sinjen Halsey, 8th Security Forces Squadron standardization & evaluations section chief, while U.S. Army PFC Jacob Anjain 2-1 ADA Alpha Battery, keeps a simulated M4 rifle aimed at Halsey while U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Geoffery Hatten, 2-1 ADA Alpha Battery, observes the Soldiers performance at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 3, 2022. During this Dragon Stance scenario, the Soldiers were trained on how to react efficiently to a simulated drive-by shooting.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Ryan Hilgendorf, company commander for Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducts a mission brief with his Marines and Finnish soldiers from the Force Protection Brigade on Makiluoto Island, Finland, Aug. 16, 2022. The training was part of a bilateral exercise between the Finnish military and 22nd MEU. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd MEU, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

U.S. Marines with 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, soldiers with 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and soldiers with the Singapore Army Deployment Force Battalion, conduct military operations in urban terrain training during Super Garuda Shield 2023 at Dodiklatpur Rindam, East Java, Indonesia, Sept. 2, 2023. Marines of the 31st MEU work daily alongside the joint force and like-minded allies and partners to prevent conflict, strengthen security and stability, and if the nation calls, to fight and win. Super Garuda Shield 2023 (SGS23) is an annual exercise that has significantly grown in scope and size since 2009. SGS2023 is the second consecutive time this exercise has grown into a combined and joint event, highlighting the 7 participating and 12 observing nations' commitment to partnership and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

A U.S. Army Paratrooper assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade, conducts an M17 pistol function during lane testing as part of the Expert Infantryman Badge, Expert Soldier Badge and Expert Field Medical Badge training at Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy, Nov 8, 2022. Soldiers must complete a number of prerequisites and pass a battery of graded tests on basic Infantry skills. The purpose of this training is to build confidence and competence within our formations on basic Soldier skills and tactics and help sustain the Army's role as an organization of lethal, disciplined and professional soldiers. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of projecting ready forces anywhere in the U.S. European, Africa or Central Commands' areas of responsibility.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl Salvador Ortiz, left, and Lance Cpl. Reno Rodriquez, right, both engineer equipment operators with 3rd Landing Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group fill sandbags at Eastern Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, July 18, 2022. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward-deployed combat unit that serves as III MEFs comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

The U.S. Army Reserves Warrior Exercise 78-22-02 brought units and Soldiers from across the country to build on their readiness levels. Excercises trained and evaluated Soldiers on Army Warrior Skill-level 10 tasks. WAREX serves as an annual training opportunity for U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers

U.S. Army calvary scouts from the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade conduct aid and litter training at Kasarna Manjaca, Dobrnja, Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 17, 2022. Guard members assigned to the State Medical Detachment and 1-169th Aviation Regiment, Maryland Army National Guard, trained alongside active duty Soldiers from the 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina soldiers in tactics, aviation, medical, and non-commissioned officer development. The Maryland National Guard will celebrate 20 years of partnership with the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina through the National Guard Bureaus State Partnership Program next year. (Maryland Army National Guard photo by 1st Lt. Jasmine Mathews).

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Matthew Stephens, a combat-arms instructor with the 165th Security Forces Squadron, gives instruction to Airmen from the 165th Civil Engineer Squadron, as they perform weapons qualification training at the 165th Airlift Wing Combat Arms Training and Maintenance (CATM) range, Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia, Feb. 4, 2023. CATM instructors are responsible for training all Airmen to be proficient with their weapons as well as ensuring the safety of those Airmen on the range.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, point out targets to U.S. Army Lt. Col. Patrick Reardon and Command Sgt. Maj. Felipe Piñero at an M2 machinegun day qualification event at Skwierzyna, Poland, Aug. 18, 2022. The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th 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. (U.S. Army photos by 2nd Lt. Kimberly Blair)

A team leader with the 4th Brigade Combat Team advises a soldier pulling security as mock casualties are being loaded onto UH-60A Medevac helicopters during a practice run at Campbell Army Airfield, Tuesday. This demonstration was a rehearsal for the air assault that will occur Saturday as part of the Fort Campbell Air Show, which begins at 10 a.m.

U.S. Army Private First Class Angel Herrera, and U.S. Army Specialist Andrew Braswell, 2-1 Air Defense Artillery, Alpha Battery carry a simulated wounded soldier on a stretcher at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 3, 2022. Soldiers were training on how to react to wounded Soldiers during a simulated drive-by shooting.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Daniel Downs, left, and Sgt. Matthew Mills, both combat engineers with Logistics Combat Element, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), cut detonation cord for Finnish combat engineers with Nyland Brigade, during demolition training in Syndalen, Finland, Aug. 11, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and 22nd MEU, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Steven Shives and Sgt. Grant Arnall, both M1A2 SEPv2 Abrams tank crew members assigned to 2nd Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, prepare to zero their M4A1 carbine in preparation for the stress shoot portion of the Sullivan Cup on Fort Benning, Georgia, May 4, 2022. The Sullivan Cup requires mastery of individual tasks, technical and tactical competence, and the ability to demonstrate an array of maneuver, sustainment, and gunnery skills.

U.S. Marines with 7th Communication Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group clear and reload M240B machine guns during 7th Comm. Bn. field exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, May 3, 2022. The 7th Comm. Bn. FEX is designed to evaluate and preserve combat readiness and familiarization of weapon systems. III MIG functions as the vanguard of III MEF, operating in the Indo-Pacific regions information environment, and supports Marine Air Ground Task Force operations with communications, intelligence, and supporting arms liaison capabilities.

FORT HOOD, Texas - U.S. Army Spc. Samuel Alvarez, an infantryman assigned to 1-502 IN, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, receives ammo during the range portion of the FORSCOM Best Squad Competition 2022 at Fort Hood, Texas, Aug. 15, 2022. These Soldiers represent the best in U.S. Army Forces Command.

Col. Glenn Marchi, assigned to the 56th Area Command, New York Guard, fires an M9 during the 43rd annual the Adjutant Generals Marksmanship Competition at Camp Smith Training Site, N.Y., June 4, 2022. The three-day event features multiple marksmanship challenges in which troops from the New York Army and Air National Guards, and State Guard are given an opportunity to compete against fellow service members for a chance to move on to national-level competitions.

The 5-17 Air Cavalry Squadron conducted its first spur ride since the unit was activated in May from September 1-2, 2022. Soldiers assembled and disassembled multiple types of small arms including the M4A1, M249 and M17 weapon platforms to show proficiency in their use of assigned weapon systems.

of 5