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Vilseck, Germany. (June 1, 2025): In this photo by Specialist Elijah Magana, Soldiers with 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. The run is part of a weeklong annual observance celebrating the heritage of the Army’s longest continuously serving cavalry regiment, also known as the Second Dragoons. Dragoon Week includes physical competitions, tactical challenges, and plenty of community engagement.
The 2nd Cavalry Regiment was founded in 1836 and saw their first combat action during the Seminole Indian Wars in Florida. In 1846, the 2nd Cavalry was ambushed by Mexican troops in a battle that was known as the Thornton Affair. The assault against American troops gave then President Polk the justification for invading Mexico. In declaring war, Polk called the attack "American blood shed on American soil.”
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Fort Logan National Cemetery, Colorado. (May 25, 2025): While Arlington National Cemetery is the world’s most famous military burial ground, the majority of veterans are actually buried elsewhere. In this photo by Air Force Technical Sergeant Chance Johnson, Mikeala Plaszcz and her child visit the gravesite of her father at one of fourteen national cemeteries managed by the National Park Service.
The first national cemetery was established during the Civil War in 1861 to accommodate the horrific casualties of that bitter conflict. Troops on both sides were being killed at such a rate that on-site burials were simply not feasible. Initially, a system of twelve national cemeteries was established by an act of Congress in 1862. The act authorized the President to purchase land for the establishment of cemeteries for burial of those fighting on behalf of the United States.
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Haleiwa, Hawaii. (May 22, 2025): In this photo by Sergeant Jared Simmons, Soldiers race in ancient “outrigger” canoes as part of their physical training in this island paradise. Outriggers can be traced as far back as 30,000 years ago when the vessels were used to travel between Pacific islands.
Outrigger canoe racing was first recorded by British explorer Captain James Cook in 1779 when he witnessed the sport Hawaiians called hei hei wa’a. Competitors in these races were mainly tribal chiefs, and heavy bets were placed on the outcome. The winning team received rewards and prestige for their tribe. In 1909, the Outrigger Canoe Club (OCC) was founded to introduce the sport to American servicemembers visiting Hawaii. The OCC eagerly hosted military teams by providing canoes, equipment, qualified steersmen, and even an orientation on canoe paddling. Later during World War II, the OCC organized the first racing regatta that included special races for officers and enlisted personnel. In fact, Admiral “Bull” Halsey presented the winning trophy to the enlisted men’s team in 1943 in a ceremony that was attended by the “King” of Hawaiian surfers, Duke Kahanamoku. At the first regatta, three Navy ships stationed at the Honolulu Harbor were invited to participate along with the Belgian naval training ship L’Avenir.
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Colorado Springs, Colorado. (May 29, 2025): In our last edition, we reported on the tortuous end of training as an Air Force Academy cadet is “the longest day of their lives.” In this photo by Dylan Smith, these same cadets enjoy the best day of their lives by graduating and receiving their commissions as second lieutenants. The nine hundred plus members of the Class of 2025 took their oaths of office at a ceremony held at Falcon Stadium on campus.
This year’s class consisted of 909 cadets, of whom 69% are men, and 31% are women. In all, 791 cadets were commissioned into the Air Force and ninety-three were commissioned into the Space Force. Once again, the Academy attracted the absolute best and brightest from U.S. high schools. The average high school GPA for the Class was 3.88 and their average SAT score was 669 in reading and writing and 688 mathematics.
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New York City. (May 31, 2025): In this photo by Lance Corporal Christopher Prelle, members of the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon execute their "bursting bomb" sequence during Fleet Week in Times Square. The first Fleet Week in New York was held in 1984, timed with the Memorial Day weekend, and has been a tradition ever since. During the annual celebration, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard ships dock in New York harbor to allow the public to tour vessels and meet service members.
The famous Silent Drill Platoon is a highly disciplined drill unit that exemplifies the pride and professionalism of the Marine Corps. The platoon is a 24-man rifle squad that performs military drill movements without any verbal cadence or commands. Each member is individually selected from the Schools of Infantry located in Camp Pendleton, California and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Once selected, Marines are assigned to Marine Barracks Washington to serve a two-year ceremonial tour.
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Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria. (May 12, 2025): Situated on the Black Sea, the tiny country of Bulgaria plays an outsized role in defending NATO’s eastern flank. In this photo by Specialist Nathan Arellano Tlaczani, Specialist Samuel Roberts heads to cover after planting a charge during a live fire exercise at this sprawling military base. The U.S. Army and the Bulgarian military maintain a strong military-to-military relationship, characterized by joint exercises, training rotations, and the sharing of military facilities.
In April 2006, joint Bulgarian–American Military Facilities were established for tank gunnery, reconnaissance, nuclear, biological, and chemical defense training. As part of the agreement, U.S. Army units conduct numerous joint maneuvers with the Bulgarian Armed Forces including urban assault courses and military police exercises.