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Photos

Snapshots of what’s happening in the Defense Department.

Army Staff Sgt. Janina Simmons, right, a Patriot launching station enhanced operator with 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, receives her drill sergeant badge from her mentor, Army Sgt. 1st Class Yancy Hampton, the first sergeant of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, during a ceremony at Fort Jackson, S.C., June 9, 2015. Simmons defies negative stereotypes regarding both gays and women serving in the military through her top-notch performance record. Courtesy photo

Army Staff Sgt. Janina Simmons, right, a Patriot launching station enhanced operator with 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, receives her drill sergeant badge from her mentor, Army Sgt. 1st Class Yancy Hampton, the first sergeant of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, during a ceremony at Fort Jackson, S.C., June 9, 2015. Simmons defies negative stereotypes regarding both gays and women serving in the military through her top-notch performance record. Courtesy photo

Army Staff Sgt. Janina Simmons, right, a Patriot launching station enhanced operator with 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, receives her drill sergeant badge from her mentor, Army Sgt. 1st Class Yancy Hampton, the first sergeant of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, during a ceremony at Fort Jackson, S.C., June 9, 2015. Simmons defies negative stereotypes regarding both gays and women serving in the military through her top-notch performance record. Courtesy photo

Photo Gallery