Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness

Department of Defense Photos

Department of Defense Imagery

U.S. Marines Corps Cpl. Barrett Helzer, front, with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division kneels next to Canadian soldier Pvt. Alexandre Douville from Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, Land Force Quebec Area as he fires an 84 mm high explosive anti-tank round from a Carl Gustav man-portable reusable multi-role recoilless rifle while conducting live fire and maneuver drills during exercise Dawn Blitz 2013, June 15, 2013, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Dawn Blitz is a multilateral amphibious exercise designed to strengthen the skills of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps as well as several partner nations. (DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Darien J. Bjorndal, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

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<p>U.S. Marines Corps Cpl. Barrett Helzer, front, with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division kneels next to Canadian soldier Pvt. Alexandre Douville from Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, Land Force Quebec Area as he fires an 84 mm high explosive anti-tank round from a Carl Gustav man-portable reusable multi-role recoilless rifle while conducting live fire and maneuver drills during exercise Dawn Blitz 2013, June 15, 2013, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Dawn Blitz is a multilateral amphibious exercise designed to strengthen the skills of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps as well as several partner nations. (DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Darien J. Bjorndal, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

U.S. Sailors assigned to a visit, board, search and seizure team aboard the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) participate in routine waterborne entry training in the Singapore Strait June 14, 2013, during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2013. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Karolina A. Oseguera, U.S. Navy/Released)

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<p>U.S. Sailors assigned to a visit, board, search and seizure team aboard the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) participate in routine waterborne entry training in the Singapore Strait June 14, 2013, during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2013. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Karolina A. Oseguera, U.S. Navy/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

U.S. Marines with Weapons Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin and Australian soldiers provide security from a trench during field training at the Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia, June 13, 2013. (DoD photo by Sgt. Sarah Fiocco, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/9068907070/ U.S. Marines with Weapons Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin and Australian soldiers provide security from a trench during field training at the Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia, June 13, 2013. (DoD photo by Sgt. Sarah Fiocco, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

<p>U.S. Marines with Weapons Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force-Darwin and Australian soldiers provide security from a trench during field training at the Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia, June 13, 2013. (DoD photo by Sgt. Sarah Fiocco, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

U.S. Navy Landing Craft Utility 1665 transporting Pacific Partnership 2013 nongovernmental organization volunteers and U.S. and partner nation service members leaves the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) for a mission to Tonga in the Pacific Ocean June 12, 2013. Pacific Partnership is an annual deployment of forces designed to strengthen maritime and humanitarian partnerships during disaster relief operations, while providing humanitarian, medical, dental and engineering assistance to nations of the Pacific. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tim D. Godbee, U.S. Navy/Released)

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<p>U.S. Navy Landing Craft Utility 1665 transporting Pacific Partnership 2013 nongovernmental organization volunteers and U.S. and partner nation service members leaves the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) for a mission to Tonga in the Pacific Ocean June 12, 2013. Pacific Partnership is an annual deployment of forces designed to strengthen maritime and humanitarian partnerships during disaster relief operations, while providing humanitarian, medical, dental and engineering assistance to nations of the Pacific. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tim D. Godbee, U.S. Navy/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

A U.S. flag hangs in front of a burning structure in Black Forest, Colo., June 12, 2013. The structure was among 360 homes that were destroyed in the first two days of the fire, which had spread to 15,000 acres by June 13. The Black Forest Fire started June 11, 2013, northeast of Colorado Springs, Colo., burning scores of homes and forcing large-scale evacuations. The Colorado National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve assisted in firefighting efforts. (DoD photo by Master Sgt. Christopher DeWitt, U.S. Air Force/Released)

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<p>A U.S. flag hangs in front of a burning structure in Black Forest, Colo., June 12, 2013. The structure was among 360 homes that were destroyed in the first two days of the fire, which had spread to 15,000 acres by June 13. The Black Forest Fire started June 11, 2013, northeast of Colorado Springs, Colo., burning scores of homes and forcing large-scale evacuations. The Colorado National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve assisted in firefighting efforts. (DoD photo by Master Sgt. Christopher DeWitt, U.S. Air Force/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

A U.S. Army paratrooper pins Army Airborne wings onto a Jordanian soldier?s uniform after a friendship jump June 12, 2013, in Zarqa, Jordan, during exercise Eager Lion 2013. Eager Lion is a U.S. Central Command-directed exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S. and Jordan. (DoD photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, U.S. Army/Released)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/9068908106/ A U.S. Army paratrooper pins Army Airborne wings onto a Jordanian soldier?s uniform after a friendship jump June 12, 2013, in Zarqa, Jordan, during exercise Eager Lion 2013. Eager Lion is a U.S. Central Command-directed exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S. and Jordan. (DoD photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, U.S. Army/Released)

<p>A U.S. Army paratrooper pins Army Airborne wings onto a Jordanian soldier?s uniform after a friendship jump June 12, 2013, in Zarqa, Jordan, during exercise Eager Lion 2013. Eager Lion is a U.S. Central Command-directed exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S. and Jordan. (DoD photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, U.S. Army/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

A U.S. Marine, top, with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force rappels from a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 during a helicopter rope suspension technique exercise at King Faisal Air Base in Jordan June 11, 2013, during exercise Eager Lion 2013. Eager Lion is a U.S. Central Command-directed exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S. and Jordan. (DoD photo by Sgt. Christopher Q. Stone, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

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<p>A U.S. Marine, top, with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime Raid Force rappels from a UH-1N Iroquois helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 during a helicopter rope suspension technique exercise at King Faisal Air Base in Jordan June 11, 2013, during exercise Eager Lion 2013. Eager Lion is a U.S. Central Command-directed exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S. and Jordan. (DoD photo by Sgt. Christopher Q. Stone, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

A patient looks through a lens to determine what prescription she needs for eyeglasses during Operation Pacific Angel 2013 in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh province, Vietnam, June 10, 2013. Operation Pacific Angel was a joint and combined humanitarian assistance exercise that was held in various countries several times a year and includes medical, dental, optometry, engineering programs and a variety of subject-matter expert exchanges. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Sara Csurilla, U.S. Air Force/Released)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/9068908518/

<p>A patient looks through a lens to determine what prescription she needs for eyeglasses during Operation Pacific Angel 2013 in Dong Hoi, Quang Binh province, Vietnam, June 10, 2013. Operation Pacific Angel was a joint and combined humanitarian assistance exercise that was held in various countries several times a year and includes medical, dental, optometry, engineering programs and a variety of subject-matter expert exchanges. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Sara Csurilla, U.S. Air Force/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

From left, U.S. Army Col. Arthur Wittich; Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno; Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel; Secretary of the Army John McHugh; Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler; and Pfc. Andrew Selga prepare to cut a cake during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Army at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., June 13, 2013. Wittich and Selga were the oldest and youngest Soldiers at the ceremony. (DoD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo/Released)

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<p>From left, U.S. Army Col. Arthur Wittich; Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno; Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel; Secretary of the Army John McHugh; Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler; and Pfc. Andrew Selga prepare to cut a cake during a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Army at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., June 13, 2013. Wittich and Selga were the oldest and youngest Soldiers at the ceremony. (DoD photo by Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter with the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division prepares to release water from a helicopter bucket over the fires in Black Forest, Colo., June 12, 2013. The Black Forest Fire started June 11, 2013, northeast of Colorado Springs, Colo., burning scores of homes and forcing large-scale evacuations. The Colorado National Guard, U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Reserve assisted in firefighting efforts. (DoD photo by Sgt. Jonathan C. Thibault, U.S. Army/Released)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/9042711502/

<p>A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter with the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division prepares to release water from a helicopter bucket over the fires in Black Forest, Colo., June 12, 2013. The Black Forest Fire started June 11, 2013, northeast of Colorado Springs, Colo., burning scores of homes and forcing large-scale evacuations. The Colorado National Guard, U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Reserve assisted in firefighting efforts. (DoD photo by Sgt. Jonathan C. Thibault, U.S. Army/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno, left, and Soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) perform the Top 10 list on the "Late Show with David Letterman" in New York City June 12, 2013. The U.S. Army celebrated its 238th birthday June 14, 2013. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Luisito Brooks, U.S. Army/Released)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/9040490979/ U.S. Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno, left, and Soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) perform the Top 10 list on the "Late Show with David Letterman" in New York City June 12, 2013. The U.S. Army celebrated its 238th birthday June 14, 2013. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Luisito Brooks, U.S. Army/Released)

<p>U.S. Army Chief of Staff Ray Odierno, left, and Soldiers assigned to the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) perform the Top 10 list on the "Late Show with David Letterman" in New York City June 12, 2013. The U.S. Army celebrated its 238th birthday June 14, 2013. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Luisito Brooks, U.S. Army/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

U.S. Army Sgt. Kevin Barcena, assigned to the 45th Sustainment Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, works to clean a headstone at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe, Hawaii, June 11, 2013. (DoD photo by Spc. Erin Sherwood, U.S. Army/Released)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/9042714548/ U.S. Army Sgt. Kevin Barcena, assigned to the 45th Sustainment Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, works to clean a headstone at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe, Hawaii, June 11, 2013. (DoD photo by Spc. Erin Sherwood, U.S. Army/Released)

<p>U.S. Army Sgt. Kevin Barcena, assigned to the 45th Sustainment Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, works to clean a headstone at the Hawaii State Veterans Cemetery in Kaneohe, Hawaii, June 11, 2013. (DoD photo by Spc. Erin Sherwood, U.S. Army/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

U.S. Marines assigned to the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division conduct amphibious assault training with Thai marines during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2013 at Hat Yao Beach, Thailand, June 10, 2013. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jay C. Pugh, U.S. Navy/Released)

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<p>U.S. Marines assigned to the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division conduct amphibious assault training with Thai marines during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2013 at Hat Yao Beach, Thailand, June 10, 2013. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jay C. Pugh, U.S. Navy/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

U.S. Navy midshipmen observe surface contacts through binoculars June 10, 2013, aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in the Atlantic Ocean. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian Read Castillo, U.S. Navy/Released)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/9040494273/ U.S. Navy midshipmen observe surface contacts through binoculars June 10, 2013, aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in the Atlantic Ocean. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian Read Castillo, U.S. Navy/Released)

<p>U.S. Navy midshipmen observe surface contacts through binoculars June 10, 2013, aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in the Atlantic Ocean. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian Read Castillo, U.S. Navy/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier aircraft assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 receives fuel from a KC-130J Hercules aircraft, not shown, assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 over Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 10, 2013. (DoD photo by Sgt. Gabriela Garcia, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/9042718012/ A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier aircraft assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 receives fuel from a KC-130J Hercules aircraft, not shown, assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 over Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 10, 2013. (DoD photo by Sgt. Gabriela Garcia, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

<p>A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier aircraft assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 receives fuel from a KC-130J Hercules aircraft, not shown, assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 over Helmand province, Afghanistan, June 10, 2013. (DoD photo by Sgt. Gabriela Garcia, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) run toward a Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 during a patrol exercise June 9, 2013, in Al Quweira, Jordan, during exercise Eager Lion 2013. Eager Lion is a U.S. Central Command-directed exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S. and Jordan. The 26th MEU was deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group. (DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Juanenrique Owings, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

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<p>U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) run toward a Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 during a patrol exercise June 9, 2013, in Al Quweira, Jordan, during exercise Eager Lion 2013. Eager Lion is a U.S. Central Command-directed exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S. and Jordan. The 26th MEU was deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group. (DoD photo by Lance Cpl. Juanenrique Owings, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Caldwell, foreground right, a cornea and refractive surgeon with the 59th Medical Wing, performs cataract surgery June 5, 2013, during New Horizons 2013 at the Southern Regional Hospital in Dangriga, Belize. New Horizons is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored annual series of joint humanitarian assistance exercises deploying U.S. military engineers, veterinarians, medics and other professions to Central and South American nations for training, construction projects and to provide humanitarian and medical services. (DoD photo by Capt. Holly Hess, U.S. Air Force/Released)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/9042718338/ $U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Caldwell, foreground right, a cornea and refractive surgeon with the 59th Medical Wing, performs cataract surgery June 5, 2013, during New Horizons 2013 at the Southern Regional Hospital in Dangriga, Belize. New Horizons is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored annual series of joint humanitarian assistance exercises deploying U.S. military engineers, veterinarians, medics and other professions to Central and South American nations for training, construction projects and to provide humanitarian and medical services. (DoD photo by Capt. Holly Hess, U.S. Air Force/Released)$ $U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Caldwell, foreground right, a cornea and refractive surgeon with the 59th Medical Wing, performs cataract surgery June 5, 2013, during New Horizons 2013 at the Southern Regional Hospital in Dangriga, Belize. New Horizons is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored annual series of joint humanitarian assistance exercises deploying U.S. military engineers, veterinarians, medics and other professions to Central and South American nations for training, construction projects and to provide humanitarian and medical services. (DoD photo by Capt. Holly Hess, U.S. Air Force/Released)$

Department of Defense Imagery

Italian soldiers serving under Regional Command West provide support to the Afghan National Army in support of Operation Southern Strike in Herat, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. The operation lasted for 15 days. (DoD photo courtesy U.S. Army/Released)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/9042718404/ Italian soldiers serving under Regional Command West provide support to the Afghan National Army in support of Operation Southern Strike in Herat, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. The operation lasted for 15 days. (DoD photo courtesy U.S. Army/Released)

<p>Italian soldiers serving under Regional Command West provide support to the Afghan National Army in support of Operation Southern Strike in Herat, Afghanistan, June 2, 2013. The operation lasted for 15 days. (DoD photo courtesy U.S. Army/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

A cake is shown before the start of a ceremony marking the U.S. Army?s 238th birthday June 13, 2013, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Teddy Wade, U.S. Army/Released)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/9042111108/ A cake is shown before the start of a ceremony marking the U.S. Army?s 238th birthday June 13, 2013, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Teddy Wade, U.S. Army/Released)

<p>A cake is shown before the start of a ceremony marking the U.S. Army?s 238th birthday June 13, 2013, at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Teddy Wade, U.S. Army/Released)</p>

Department of Defense Imagery

A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with the Colorado Army National Guard approaches a refueling point during efforts to fight a wildfire near Colorado Springs, Colo., June 12, 2013. The Black Forest Fire started June 11, 2013, northeast of Colorado Springs, burning scores of homes and forcing large-scale evacuations. The Colorado National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve assisted in firefighting efforts. (DoD photo by Ray McCoy, U.S. Air Force/Released)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/9031522711/

<p>A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with the Colorado Army National Guard approaches a refueling point during efforts to fight a wildfire near Colorado Springs, Colo., June 12, 2013. The Black Forest Fire started June 11, 2013, northeast of Colorado Springs, burning scores of homes and forcing large-scale evacuations. The Colorado National Guard and U.S. Air Force Reserve assisted in firefighting efforts. (DoD photo by Ray McCoy, U.S. Air Force/Released)</p>

The Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness

The Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness is the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense for Total Force Management as it relates to readiness; National Guard and Reserve component affairs; health affairs; training; and personnel requirements and management, including equal opportunity, morale, welfare, recreation, and quality of life matters.

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