Navy

Veterans and their family members stand to be recognized at the United States Navy Concert Band’s performance in Wichita, Kan., while traveling the country on their 2023 national tour. National tours allow the U.S. Navy Band to honor veterans and connect with audiences across the country as musical ambassadors, representing Sailors serving around the globe on behalf of all Americans from all walks of life.

Recruits write letters during holiday routine at U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois. During holiday routine, recruits write letters, shine their boots, and are allowed to take longer showers. Boot camp is approximately 10 weeks and all enlistees into the U.S. Navy begin their careers at the command. Training includes five warfighting competencies of firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding, and small arms handling and marksmanship along with physical fitness and lessons in Navy heritage and core values, Warrior Toughness, Life Skills, teamwork and discipline. More than 40,000 recruits train annually at the Navy’s only boot camp. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Stephane Belcher)

Chief Gunner’s Mate Joseph Sandman cuts the cake during the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) active-duty fund drive kick-off celebration at CFAS Mar. 6, 2023. NMCRS is a private, non-profit organization that has been financially assisting Marines, Sailors and their families through interest-free loans and grants since 1904. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Quinton A. Lee)

Forces from the Ghanaian Special Boat Service apprehend a target during a Unit Leading Procedure drill for Flintlock in Volta, Ghana, March 4, 2023. The United States is committed to supporting partners in combatting violent extremists and malign actors by contributing to partner security, civil administration, economic growth, military training, education, health, and other needs when appropriate. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Mario Hernandez Lopez)

Amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) transits the Gulf of Thailand during exercise Cobra Gold 2023, March 3, 2023. Exercise Cobra Gold 2023, in its 42nd iteration, is one of the largest multilateral theater security cooperation exercises in the Indo-Pacific and reflects the U.S. commitment to allies and partners, providing a continuous and reliable platform to train, prepare, and enhance regional interoperability. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, comprised of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island and amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations with the embarked 13th MEU to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Martinez)

U.S. Navy Sailors aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), secure a water barrier to deploy landing craft, utilities off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, Mar. 3, 2023. The LCU operations were in preparation for an amphibious landing exercise. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher R. Lape)

WASHINGTON (Mar. 03, 2023) Musician 1st Class Amanda Ballantine, is pinned by Musician 1st Class Ally Albrecht, left, and Senior Chief Musician Jennifer Krupa, right, during Ballantine’s pinning ceremony. Musicians reporting to U.S. Navy Band are promoted to E6 upon arrival. (U.S. Navy Photo by Musician First Class David J. Hagee)