HAT TOSS

President Barack Obama watches as graduates toss their hats after he spoke at the commencement ceremony for the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 23, 2012. White House photo by Pete Souza

ALLEN BRIEFING

Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, briefs the media at the Pentagon, May 23, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley

COMMENCEMENT SPEECH

President Barack Obama speaks at the graduation ceremony for the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 23, 2012. Obama called the academy's class of 2012 "exceptional" for the spirit embodied in its class motto: "Never Falter, Never Fail." U.S. Air Force photo by Mike Kaplan

GRADUATE KUDOS

Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, right, congratulates a midshipman on his performance during the color parade at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., May 23, 2012. Winnefeld attended the event with his father, retired Rear Adm. James A. Winnefeld Sr., a 1951 Naval Academy graduate who later became commandant of midshipmen. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Chuck Marsh

PARADE SALUTE

Navy Adm. James A. Winnefeld Jr., vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, salutes midshipmen marching past during the color parade at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., May 23, 2012. DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Chuck Marsh

ACADEMY GRADUATE

President Barack Obama congratulates Air Force Cadet 1st Class Timothy Jefferson on graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy during the graduation ceremony at the academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 23, 2012. Jefferson was the starting quarterback for the Air Force Falcons football team. U.S. Air Force photo by Mike Kaplan

CADET GIFT

President Barack Obama receives a gift from senior ranking cadets after delivering the commencement address to the U.S. Air Force Academy's class of 2012 at the academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 23, 2012. U.S. Air Force photo by Mike Kaplan

SUNSET CHECK

A U.S. Navy sailor performs maintenance checks before evening helicopter operations on the flight deck aboard the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge under way in the Java Sea, May 21, 2012. The sailor, an airman, is assigned to Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 51. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Fidel C. Hart