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Colorado Springs, Colorado. (September 12, 2023): In many ways, Air Force Academy Cadet football players are just like everyone else in college football with one key distinction. These young men will become officers and leaders in the most sophisticated naval force in history. In this photo by Trevor Cokley, Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier celebrates with Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark, Air Force Academy superintendent, after scoring a touchdown against Robert Morris University during a game in Falcon Stadium.
The recruiting process at the service academies is the same as at any school, the coaches set their targets and build relationships with recruits like everyone else. The journey to becoming an Academy player begins in high school where applicants are screened and coaches are allowed to contact recruits to help guide them through the process.
While the recruiting process is essentially the same, there are other substantial differences between service academy and civilian football players. Perhaps the biggest is the nature of the scholarships that are awarded to service academy student-athletes.
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Pacific Ocean. (September 10, 2023): These chilling words reflect one of the darkest fears of a Sailor at sea, falling overboard undetected while your mates proceed without you. In this photo by MC2 Matthew Cavenaile, Ensign Conor Backhaus, from Omaha, Nebraska, and his comrades conduct man overboard drills from the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay. With thousands of Sailors at sea, the American Navy takes “Man Overboard” drills very seriously.
Sailors are taught to shout 'man overboard' until the entire crew is aware of the situation. The person who sees the man overboard should maintain eye contact as long as possible, noting distance and speed from the vessel. A lifebuoy is released, the position is marked by GPS, and a buoyant smoke flare is fired. If the person is close to the ship, flotation equipment is lowered in their direction.
These small boat drills test communications between the bridge, deck crew, and the rescue boats while they coordinate with other vessels in the vicinity. Their skill and coordination could very well save the life of a Sailor lost at sea.
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Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. (September 5, 2023): In this photo by MC2 Levi Decker, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class John Gorey, from Philadelphia, assigned to Naval Medical Forces Atlantic, is measured for his chief petty officer uniform as he joins the ranks of the “backbone of the Navy”.
A chief petty officer in the Navy is a senior enlisted member who serves as a leader and mentor to junior sailors. They are responsible for managing and supervising the day-to-day operations of a ship and maintaining discipline within the ranks. In this highly challenging role, they are the vital link between commanders and the rank-and-file. A Chief holds a “rating”, or job specialty, and must be pay grade E-7 and above (E-9 is the highest enlisted rank).
Becoming a Chief typically takes around 14-16 years of service advancing through the ranks and meeting the necessary requirements at each promotion. They must also pass a selection process that includes a written exam, a review of their service record, and an interview. Once selected, they will attend the Chief Petty Officer Leader Development Course to familiarize them with their new role as a chief petty officer.
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Clark Air Force Base, Philippines. (September 3, 2023): In this photo by Master Sergeant Robert Webb, Airmen assigned to the Philippine Air Force salute the jump master as they bail out of a C-130J transport plane during Pacific Airlift Rally 2023. This annual multinational exercise is in its 14th year with some 780 participants from Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste. This is the largest humanitarian assistance and disaster response exercise of its kind in the Indo-Pacific.
Hosted by the U.S. Pacific Command and the Philippines Air Force, Pacific Rally gave partner nations the chance to practice expeditionary medicine, evacuation procedures, and in-flight emergency response. Airmen focused on container delivery, personnel transport, cargo loading, and low-altitude airdrops.
Two U.S. Air Force 374th Airlift Wing C-130J Super Hercules and associated Airmen from Yokota Air Base, Japan, joined Philippine and Japanese C-130H crews in field training transporting patients in critical condition.
Nations exchanged subject matter experts regarding austere and expeditionary medicine, ground evacuation, in-flight emergency response, and C-130 aircraft maintenance. Planners also conducted tabletop exercises on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Large scale exercises like Pacific Rally will ensure the relief forces are primed and ready should a disaster occur.
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Puslatpur, Indonesia. (September 4, 2023): In this photo by Sergeant First Class Austin Berner, soldiers assigned to 2nd Platoon, Berzoi Company, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division join members of the Indonesian military as they cross a river obstacle during Exercise Super Garuda Shield.
Super Garuda Shield 2023 is an annual exercise that has significantly grown in scope and size since 2009 and now includes 7 participating and twelve observing nations in a partnership for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
This renewed sense of urgency is due to China’s increasingly aggressive air and naval activity in the South China Sea. As the largest archipelago in the world, Indonesia lies at the apex in the rivalry between China and the West and is strategically located astride the major sea lanes connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Although Indonesia and China have generally cordial relations, increased activity of Chinese Coast Guard vessels and fishing boats in the region has alarmed officials in Jakarta. China has lodged territorial demands and ignored international law by encroaching on Indonesia’s economic zone in the South China Sea. China accuses the U.S. and Indonesia of building an Indo-Pacific “NATO” to contain their world ambitions.
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Oshkosh, Wisconsin. (September 5, 2023): It is one of America’s oldest military traditions, rendering honors to the fallen in a solemn, dignified manner befitting their service to our nation. This sacred duty falls upon the Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team, pictured here performing for a civilian crowd, who are responsible for delivering spotless performances of ceremonial honors at military funerals (Photo credit Kristen Wong).
The Honor Guard also represents the Air Force at public and official events including the wreath-laying ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. The team performs at White House ceremonies, receptions, and other state and military occasions.
As you can imagine, a posting to the Honor Guard is prestigious and highly sought after.
Air Force members from all careers and posts worldwide can apply for this special posting. If selected, Airmen are reassigned to Bolling Air Force Base for a standard tour of duty (usually 3 years) and are referred to as Ceremonial Guardsmen.
Color guard teams trace their roots to the custom of carrying the colors onto the battlefield to identify the location of the combatants and to inspire pride and confidence. The team is led by a non-commissioned officer and includes a flag bearer and two rifle guards. During funeral ceremonies, the rifle guards fire three rounds in memory of the fallen.