Photos

Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Michael Vazquez hugs his wife upon returning to Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, after a patrol aboard the USS Blue Ridge, June 23, 2025. The Blue Ridge and the U.S. 7th Fleet conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance warfighting capabilities.

A sailor hugs family members upon returning to Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., May 30, 2025, following an eight-month deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Mikeala Plaszcz and her child visit the gravesite of her father at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Colo., May 25, 2025.

Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and their families begin the family color run on the final day of Dragoon Week at U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria, Germany, May 22, 2025. The annual weeklong observance celebrates the heritage and readiness of the Army's longest continuously serving cavalry regiment, also known as the Second Dragoons.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Brown reads a card his family gave him upon his arrival at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., May 15, 2025, following a three-month deployment to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility aboard the USS Normandy.

Air Force Capt. Daniel Smith, a pilot assigned to the 91st Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, hugs his wife upon returning to MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., May 19, 2025, following a deployment.

Space Force Lt. Col. Kaoru Elliott, second from left, U.S. Space Forces-Japan deputy commander, and Nikki Palmer, Space Systems Command chief engineer, watch model rocket launches with Yokota West Elementary School students during a STEM outreach event at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2025. A Space Systems Command team visited Defense Department schools overseas for the first time to expand its outreach beyond the continental U.S. and reinforce its commitment to engaging military-connected students in science, technology, engineering and math education.

Navy Seaman Kyra Brinsfield is greeted by family after the Recruit Training Command's pass in review at Midway Ceremonial Drill Hall in Great Lakes, Ill., May 8, 2025. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy's only boot camp.

Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Ismael G. Bamba, command senior enlisted leader of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Korea, demonstrates how to put on protective equipment during a Jane and John Wayne Day event at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, South Korea, May 9, 2025. The event, a decade-long tradition across the service, brought together military spouses for hands-on training in equipment operations and weapons handling, fostering camaraderie and underscoring the strength of the U.S.-South Korea relationship.

Army Staff Sgt. Michelle Borsani and her child Cael celebrate her final reenlistment at Burg Dagestein castle in Vilseck, Germany, May 6, 2025.

A child listens to the "heartbeat" of Diesel, a lifelike robotic dog, during Bring Your Child to Work Day at the Pentagon, April 24, 2025. Soldiers at Fort Belvoir, Va., Veterinary Clinic use Diesel as a training aid.

A child runs to hug a loved one as Air National Guardsmen assigned to the 158th Fighter Wing return to South Burlington, Vt., April 22, 2025, following a deployment to Okinawa, Japan.

An Air National Guardsman returns to loved ones in South Burlington, Vt., from deployment to Okinawa, Japan, April 22, 2025.

Service members cheer as a student rides their bike during Purple Up Day at Hickam Elementary at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, April 17, 2025. Students and staff wore purple to show pride and appreciation for the children of service members who serve alongside their families in spirit.

Air Force Senior Airman Jayden Romero and 1st Lt. Casey Stachler assist students during a Kids Understanding Deployment Operations event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, April 15, 2025. The event, held in celebration of the Month of the Military Child, gave students a hands-on look at the deployment process.

Marine Corps 1st Lt. John Carter holds his son following the 2024 Camp Pendleton Male Athlete of the Year ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 14, 2025. Carter was recognized for his efforts in playing for the All-Marine and the All-Armed Forces Basketball Teams.

Air Force Capt. Aaron Peters greets students during a military parade at Syracuse Junior High School in Syracuse, Utah, April 11, 2025. Active-duty service members and local veterans participated in the parade, which celebrated military families for the Month of the Military Child.

Airmen high-five Whiteman Elementary School students during a 1-mile walk for the Month of the Military Child at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., April 11, 2025. The Month of the Military Child is observed each April to honor and celebrate military youth.

Marine Corps Capt. Riley Tejcek high-fives a child during the "Dream Big with Riley" event at the main USO center at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., April 9, 2025. Tejcek read her new children's book, "If You Can Dream It, Be It" to children as part of a Month of the Military Child observance.

A soldier reunites with a loved one in Harrisburg, Pa., March 26, 2025, upon returning from a mobilization to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.