An Air Force Mechanic
Airman 1st Class Laura Lund talks about working as a aircraft engine mechanic at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.
A Coast Guard Damage Controlman at Work
Petty Officer 1st Class Timothy Florez Adams demonstrates some of his duties as a damage controlman for the Coast Guard.
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At Work in Bad Weather
An Army National Guard Soldier takes a chain saw to a tree that has fallen after a storm.
How to Fold a Parachute
Airman 1st Class Carlos Puga shows how to fold a parachute and explains why it is so important to handle parachutes properly.
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A Global Positioning Systems Satellites (GPS) Operator
Air Force Reserve Senior Airman Jessica Eastburn works as a Global Positioning Systems (GPS) satellites operator.
Mobile Launch Platform
Staff Sgt. William Alston and his unit practice setting up a mobile launch platform for Patriot missiles.
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A Military Working Dog Handler
Cpl. Christopher Vogt works as a canine handler and trains his dog, Kepie, to help protect the president of the United States.
Inside a Navy Submarine
Petty Officer 2nd Class Andrew Crandall describes his job as a fire control technician on the USS Montpelier, a Navy submarine.
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Serving on the USCGC Healy
Seaman Deirdre Gray describes the United States Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Healy's special scientific and ice-breaking mission.
Handle with Care
Staff Sgt. Erik Reichenbach and Tech. Sgt. Kenny Rogers, of the Maryland Air National Guard, discuss their work with munitions systems.
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Ordnance Disposal
In Hawaii, Sgt. Michael Podemski and his unit dispose of unexploded ordnance by blowing it up.
Flame Out
Sgt. Ofman Gomez leads Marines in a firefighting exercise held at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
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The Air Force Band on Tour
Staff Sgt. Bennett Weidemann, manager and drummer for the Air Force rock band, Afterburner, describes the band's role in the Military.
A Ride with the Coast Guard Reserve
Petty Officer 3rd Class Adrien Cheval ensures that a Coast Guard boat is ready for search-and-rescue and maritime law enforcement missions.
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Fighting the Flood
When North Dakota needed help with the flooding Red River, members of the Army National Guard were there.
Ready for Takeoff
Senior Airman Nicole Young inspects a KC-135, a refueling aircraft, inside and out, and then she assists with takeoff.
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Living and Working Abroad
When deployed overseas, Soldiers can expect to interact with local communities.
Marine Aviation Hot Refueling
Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Michael J. Wulf, a bulk fuel specialist, describes how "hot refueling" works.
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Search and Seizure
Members of the Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team help secure the crew of a drug-smuggling vessel in the Gulf of Aden.
From the Marine Corps to the Army Reserve
After serving in the Marine Corps, Spc. Luis Estrada joined the Army Reserve because he wanted to try something new.
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A Coxswain in the Coast Guard Reserve
A Coast Guard Reserve coxswain explains her role as the individual in charge of a boat and everyone on it.
The Master of the Cargo
The work of an Air Force Reserve loadmaster involves much more than getting cargo on and off an aircraft.
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Army Servicemembers in Combat in Iraq
Soldiers deploy to Iraq on a variety of fronts, and the Army has trained them to be ready for any situation.
Lives in Her Hands
Operations Specialist 3rd Class Josefina Martinez handles the radio, including distress calls.
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Humanitarian Aid in Afghanistan
Army National Guard Soldiers, along with the Afghan National Army and Police, deliver winter clothes to orphans in Afghanistan.
Trained to Put Out Flames
An Airman in the Air National Guard describes his role as a firefighter. Not only does he help protect the F-16 aircraft, but he also fights fires at the nearby airport.
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The Role of Civil Affairs
Members of the Army Reserve 425th Civil Affairs Battalion prepare to deploy.
Standing Guard
A member of the Air Force Reserve guards the flight line at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii.
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The Marine Sentries
Four Marines are always on guard at the West Wing of the White House.
Diving with a Search-and-Rescue Swimmer
Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Sweeney shows off his rescue-swimmer training.
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Responsibility at a Young Age
Senior Airman Clarence Abercrombie Jr. is only 19 years old, but he's already making great contributions to the Air Force.
Always Ready
Members of the Coast Guard participate in a helicopter rescue mission and successfully rescue an individual from choppy waters.
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Agriculture in Afghanistan
Army National Guard Soldiers bring their agricultural knowledge to Afghanistan to help local farmers with irrigation and infrastructure.
Meet the Dirt Boys
An airman describes his role as one of the "Dirt Boys" on an Air National Guard Civil Engineering team.
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A Nurse and a Soldier
Sgt. Marlene Garcia's Army Reserve experience has proven to be very useful as she studies to be a nurse.
Mechanic Works on Air Force Aircraft
Air Force Reserve mechanics play a major role in keeping aircraft in operational condition.
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Eyes on the Ground
Find out what a cavalry scout sees when he is sent out on a mission.
The Navy Assists Quake Victims
The USNS Comfort receives its first patients among those who have been injured in the 2010 earthquake in Haiti.
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The Go-To Guy
Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Chris Chambers, a member of the Coast Guard Reserve, participates in many exciting activities while on the job.
An Army National Guard Infantryman
A sergeant in the Army National Guard describes his role as an infantryman.
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The Fine Art of Refueling
An Air National Guard plane refuels a Navy Blue Angel jet.
Inspired by Her Son's Choice
When her college-aged son began to consider the Air Force Reserve, Staff Sgt. Tammi Johnson chose to return to service.
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Amphibious Marine Landing
Marines provide security for an amphibious landing in Okinawa, Japan.
Navy Band Northeast on Parade
Sailors from Navy Band Northeast march through the streets of Charlestown, Mass., during the Bunker Hill Day parade.
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A Seaman's Day
Seaman Tess Lee has been in the Coast Guard for only a few months, and she's already helping save lives.
A Cannon Crewmember in the Army National Guard
Cannon crewmembers play a crucial role in combat by providing the infantry and tankers with extra firepower.
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Just Like a Fire Department
In case they are needed, members of the Air National Guard are trained to react whenever the alarm sounds.
CBRN Specialist Career Opportunities
Army Spc. Sadie Tollberg describes her role as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist.
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Aviation Supply
Marines in Aviation Supply put in place the logistics and communications systems needed by aircrews.
Sailors Aboard the USS Nimitz
Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz man the rails as Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing 11 depart San Diego for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean.
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Minding the Store
Storekeeper 3rd Class Anitra Lyle discusses her travels to Africa and life on a boat.
The Universal Language of Yo-Yo
In Baghdad, Iraq, Army National Guard Soldier Spc. Joshua Brister trades yo-yo tricks with a young boy.
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Cool in a Crisis
A member of the Air National Guard helps provide water in a disaster situation.
On Track to a Law Enforcement Career
Staff Sgt. Michael Devaughn trains to become a police officer by attending college and serving in the Army Reserve.
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Clean Clothes
Spc. Timothy Houston helps keep the Army's uniforms in perfect condition, no matter where Soldiers are stationed.
What Is a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)?
An MEU is made up of ground, aviation and logistics combat elements, all operating under a unifying command element.
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U.S. Navy Contributes to Hurricane Katrina Cleanup
The Navy can mobilize quickly in the event of disasters that happen on American soil. Capt. David R. Pine of the USS Shreveport details how the Navy responded after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast.
Double Duty
Petty Officer Michael Paquette, an aviation maintenance technician, describes his day-to-day tasks.
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Breaking Through
During a training exercise, members of the Army National Guard practice breaking down a door.
A Medical Lab Tech in the Air National Guard
A medical lab tech in the Air National Guard describes some of his daily tasks.
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Refueling Without Landing
An Air Force Reserve boom operator performs the important task of refueling an aircraft midflight.
Listen Up
A linguist's job involves not only translation but gathering information that could impact the outcome of a mission.
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Opportunities for Women in the Navy
Female aviation warfare specialists describe their job responsibilities and what it's like being a woman in the Navy.
Catching a Wave
Army National Guard Soldiers train for a diving mission.
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Keeping Pilots Connected
A staff sergeant with the 158th Communications Squadron splices fiber-optic cable to help set up alert trailers, where F-16 pilots can stay.
Repairs on the USS Ronald Reagan
Damage Controlman 3rd Class Michael Minotti uses a Portable Exothermic Cutting Unit (PECU) on a damaged lathe, which is used for training purposes, in the machine shop of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.
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Helicopter Help
A crew of Army National Guard Soldiers fly into enemy territory to rescue an injured Soldier.
Predator Remote Control
Air Force reservists see what an MQ-1 Predator sees at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
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Training the Iraqi Police Force
American Soldiers help their Iraqi counterparts learn how to secure their own cities and neighborhoods.
Breaking Out the Big Guns
Master-at-arms Melanie Molina describes her weapons training and her daily tasks in the Navy.
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Cleaning Up After a Storm
Two members of the National Guard take chain saws to a tree that has fallen over after a storm.
Inside the Redstone Arsenal
Personnel at the Redstone Arsenal are responsible for the Army's weapons research and development.
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Navy Public Affairs
Chief Petty Officer Paul DeLaughter talks about how Navy Public Affairs supports recruiting by educating the community about the good things happening in today's Navy.
Crowd Control
Army National Guard Soldiers hold riot shields.
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Remote Control
An unmanned aerial vehicle pilot explains why he joined the Army.
Heavy-Duty Maintenance
By joining the Army National Guard, individuals gain the opportunity to learn new job skills.
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Calling in the Firepower
Members of the 194th Regional Air National Guard Support Wing discuss their efforts in Afghanistan.
Clearing a Path
An Army National Guard Soldier removes debris from a road so military vehicles can pass.
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The Air National Guard in Iraq
The Air National Guard provides air support in Balad, Iraq.
All Systems Go
Two members of the Air Force Reserve work on an aircraft's avionics system at Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass.
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Sending Humanitarian Aid
Soldiers prepare a package of aid supplies to be delivered by helicopter.
Landing Blackhawks in Tennessee
The Army National Guard offers several exciting possibilities for those who want to become helicopter pilots.
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The Army Drill Team
The Army Drill Team is part of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment.
Reading the Manual
Army National Guard Soldiers work on a Humvee. Wheeled vehicle mechanic is one of many jobs available in the Army National Guard.
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Working on the Flight Line
Air Force reservists repair and maintain aircraft on the flight line.
Chaplains Serving in Combat
Unit Ministry Teams (UMTs), composed of chaplains and chaplain assistants, serve Soldiers on the battlefield and at home.
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Ready for Anything
An Army National Guard Soldier is on the lookout for possible trouble during a combat situation.
Maintenance and Repair
One of the biggest jobs for Soldiers on post is to keep all equipment in operating condition in case it is needed.
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Building Bonds with the Community
Staff Sgt. Ryan Smith works as a human intelligence collector.
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A look at daily life in Today's Military.
From the outside, it is hard to imagine what it's like to serve in the Military. There is plenty of news coverage, but it has been difficult to really get a sense of what day-to-day life in service is all about – until now. The videos and images on this site show the variety of experiences servicemembers have every day – from joining and training, to living and working all over the world. Choose a theme or Service from the menus below or choose between "Enlisted" and "Officer" to start exploring.
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