Photos

Families participate in a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 17, 2023. Marine Corps Community Services hosts a tree-lighting event every year for families of active-duty troops at the station to kick off the holiday season.

A child touches an ornament during a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Nov. 17, 2023. Marine Corps Community Services hosts a tree-lighting event every year for families of active-duty troops at the station to kick off the holiday season.

Air Force Senior Airman Milo Carter looks at Mount Fuji during Operation Volant Spouse 2023 at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 4, 2023. The annual event provides military spouses with a firsthand experience with the Yokota airlift mission and boosts morale.

Military spouses participate in the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School's Spouse Qualification-Course at Camp Mackall, N.C., Sept. 19, 2023.

Navy Capt. Peter J. Riebe presents a certificate of appreciation to Lt. Jesse Gutenberg’s family during Gutenberg’s retirement ceremony at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, Aug. 3, 2023.

Jessica Altman, an Air Force spouse, reads a book to her children during the Eustis Youth Book Bash at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Sept. 16, 2023. The book bash for military families included storytelling and arts and crafts.

Air Force Col. Sondra Nensala’s mother, daughter and husband pin on her rank during a promotion ceremony at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., Aug. 31, 2023.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Kevin McDermott greets family in San Diego, Aug. 28, 2023, upon returning from a seven-month deployment aboard the USS Paul Hamilton in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

An Idaho Army National Guard soldier is welcomed home from a yearlong deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Spartan Shield at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho, Aug. 10, 2023. The operation builds partner capacity in the Middle East to promote regional self-reliance and increase security.

Navy Seaman Connor Fort-Liss hugs his wife, Lilly, during a homecoming event for the USS Delaware at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., Aug. 14, 2023. The crew returned after a six-month deployment.

New York Army National Guard 2nd Lt. Randy Brown receives his officer’s rank from his wife during a commissioning ceremony at the Museum of American Armor, Old Bethpage, N.Y., Aug. 13, 2023. Seven new officers were pinned with their second lieutenant shoulder boards by family members during the graduation ceremony.

Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Yayah Sesay assists his daughter during a firefighting capabilities demonstration as part of a family day aboard the USS Emory S. Land at Apra Harbor, Guam, Aug. 4, 2023.

A soldier reunites with a loved one in Boise, Idaho, Aug. 8, 2023, after a yearlong deployment supporting Operation Spartan Shield. The U.S. Central Command operation is designed to build partner capacity in the Middle East.

Military children participate in Marine Corps Community Services and Semper Fit’s Splash of Color run in Laurel Bay, S.C., Aug. 3, 2023, to celebrate students returning to school.

Army Pvt. Diana Acevedo and her twin sister Pvt. Andrea Acevedo participate in basic combat training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Aug. 2, 2023.

An Air Force airman returning from deployment is greeted by her family at Patrick Space Force Base, Fla., July 7, 2023.

Air Force Col. Jeff Mrazik gives his wife flowers during the 6th Operations Group assumption of command ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., July 10, 2023. Mrazik assumed command of the group and will oversee air refueling operations at MacDill.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Zachary Gabriel and the daughter of Col. Kevin Kippie signal a B-1B Lancer to stop during Kippie's fini flight at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, June 29, 2023. The fini flight is an Air Force tradition marking pilots' departure from a unit, or the last time they fly an aircraft.

Service members and their families play games during the Marine Corps Community Services Camp Pendleton July 4th celebration at Del Mar Beach, Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 3, 2023. The event featured a Family Fun Zone, food vendors, live music and more.

Army Reserve soldiers attend a deployment ceremony at Fort Sheridan, Ill., June 24, 2023.