U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Tanner Elliot scans his sector using his rifle combat optic during a security patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Sept. 9, 2014. Elliot is a rifleman assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John A. Martinez Jr.
U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Malcolm Jeffcoat receives his cover on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz during a chief pinning ceremony in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 15, 2014. Twenty-four sailors aboard the Nimitz were pinned to the rank of chief petty officer. Jeffcoat is a logistics specialist. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Kelly M. Agee
Lance Cpl. Dominique Sparacino pauses while on patrol during Mountain Exercise 2014 on Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Sept. 8, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos
Army veteran Rico Roman handles a puck during a sled hockey game in Rockville, Md., Sept. 18, 2014. Roman is a member of the gold medal U.S. National Sled Hockey Team in the 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia. DoD photo by EJ Hersom
An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 102 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington during Valiant Shield 2014 in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 17, 2014. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Chris Cavagnaro
In the third installment of a four-part DoD News series, a sailor discusses the decisive moment that turned him back from the brink of suicide. After a crucial intervention, he began a slow road to recovery at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.
DoD screen shot
Members of the U.S. Navy parachute demonstration team, the Leap Frogs, come in for a landing during the Baltimore Star-Spangled Spectacular at Clifton Park, Baltimore, Sept. 12, 2014. U.S. Navy Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Larry S. Carlson
Army Sgt. Jonathan Gallogla rushes under direct fire during Expert Infantryman Badge qualification on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 10, 2014. Gallogla is assigned to the 25th Infantry Division's Company B, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The division is based in Alaska. The badge is awarded to Army personnel who hold infantry or special forces military occupational specialties and successfully pass the rigors of the course. U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Connaher
Each year the nation sets aside Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 to recognize the heritage and cultural diversity that Hispanic Americans have contributed to our country. In this special report in observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Defense Department celebrates the strength, pride and honor throughout the history of Hispanics' service in our nation's military.
Combat veteran Grayson Wilson participates in a recent workout with the Pugilistic Offensive Warrior Tactics Program. Based in San Diego, the organization uses a combination of mixed martial arts and yoga to help veterans heal in mind, body and spirit. DoD screen shot
Disasters can strike anywhere and at any time. National Preparedness Month, observed every September, serves as a reminder that everyone must take action to prepare for the types of emergencies that can affect each of us.
