Bowling at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert Glaude perfects his bowling game at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island's on-base rec center.
Thunderbirds in Action
The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, known as the "Thunderbirds," performs aerial stunts at an air show.
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Celebrating the Coast Guard's 220th Birthday
Members of the Coast Guard gather with friends and family in Boston to celebrate the Coast Guard's 220th anniversary.
Spending Time with Family
Being away from home can be tough, but being in the Army National Guard gives members time to spend with their families.
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At the Warrior Zone
Servicemembers play video games, grab a snack or shoot a few rounds of pool at the Warrior Zone on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
Time for the Community
Airman 1st Class Carlos Puga serves in the Air National Guard, but he also has time to act as the musical director for his church band.
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An Air Force Reserve Workout
Air Force Reserve Staff Sgt. Rachel Garneau works out at the McChord Fitness Center Annex to stay fit for her regular Physical Fitness Test.
Military Food: Inside an MRE
A recruiter gives a guided tour of a "Meal, Ready-to-Eat" (MRE). These portable meals provide nutrition to servicemembers in the field, when extensive food preparation is not an option.
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Family Day
On the verge of graduation from Recruit Training, recruits reunite with their loved ones during Family Day at Parris Island, S.C.
A Tour of the USS Sampson
Petty Officer Jesse Crider gives a tour of the USS Sampson destroyer warship including its mess hall, sleeping quarters and weapons deck.
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A Young Air Force Officer's Home
1st Lt. Mansour Elhihi, an F-15 fighter pilot, gives a tour of his off-base apartment.
Man's Best Friend
A patient at the Courtland Rehabilitation and Living Center is greeted by Sierra, a three-year-old Great Dane therapy dog.
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Keeping Service in the Family
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Delynn Gibson and his son Cadet Cody Gibson talk about how being in the Army National Guard has brought them closer.
Recreation Options for Servicemembers
Employees describe the recreation benefits available at the Northwest Adventure Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
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Air National Guard Recreation Benefits
Esther, an Air National Guard nurse, discusses the benefits offered to guard members at any military base that may be nearby.
Drill Weekend Dining
During drill weekend, enlisted members of the Air Force Reserve have lunch at the Olympic Dining Facility at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
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Living and Learning on Post
Pvt. James Alaniz describes what life is like for a young Soldier on post.
Education in the Marine Corps
Marines are provided with opportunities to continue their education during and after service.
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Work and Play
Aviation Ordnanceman Karina Cortes gives a tour of her workspace on the USS Wasp in Virginia Beach, Va., as well as her apartment and where she goes to have fun when she's off-duty.
An Air Force Base Playground
For Air Force families, playgrounds and parks located on-base are a convenient place for parents to meet and have their children play together.
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Floating Barbershop
Petty Officer 2nd Class Wilson Usma cuts hair for Petty Officer 3rd Class Isaac Stenback in a damage controlman shop onboard a cutter.
Words from an Army National Guard Spouse
The wife of an Army National Guard Soldier describes her sense of pride in her husband's work.
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Work-Life Balance in the Army Reserve
1st Lt. Meridith Fonseca talks about her career in the Army Reserve and her civilian job at an outdoor gear company.
A Day Out Rock Climbing
Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Luigge Romanillo enjoys rock climbing during his free time.
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Shopping at the Exchange
Staff Sgt. Rachel Garneau and Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle of the Air Force Reserve shop for name-brand products at an exchange store.
Chowing Down on Base
Soldiers fill their plates at an on-base seafood buffet. Military meals are nutritionally balanced, and the food is prepared by professional chefs.
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Marine Officer Traditions
A Marine officer stands holding a Mameluke sword, the oldest weapon still used in service by United States Armed Forces.
Life Overseas: Kids and Family
A kid's view of life at Naval Air Station Sigonella, a large Navy base in Italy.
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An Air Force Recreation Camp
Servicemembers at an Air Force recreation camp can rent boats, kayaks and tents to enjoy their time off-duty.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Four Coast Guardsmen put on their uniforms before performing as the Honor Guard during opening-day ceremonies at Boston's Fenway Park.
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Behind the Scenes with Darby Ledbetter
Country artist and Army National Guard Warrant Officer Darby Ledbetter reveals the effort that went into making a video for his song, "I Won't Let My Guard Down."
An Army Reserve Officer in Washington, D.C.
Maj. Philip Romanelli serves in the Army Reserve and also works for the Department of Homeland Security.
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Flight Lessons
Austin, a member of the Air National Guard, gives a civilian flight lesson.
Air Force Reserve Father and Son Enjoy Spending Time On-Base
A father and son enjoy a playground on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
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Family Leisure Time on Post
Through activities like pony rides and football games, the Army helps build a sense of community among families on post.
Life as a Marine: Travel
Marines on assignment across the globe have an opportunity to travel and experience different cultures.
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Sailor Visits Jamiyah Children's Home
Information Systems Technician 1st Class Frank Agcaoili shows residents of the Jamiyah Children's Home, in Singapore, a model of the guided missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill.
At the Auto Hobby Shop
Airman 1st Class Alejandra Zorko works on her car and learns new skills using the free resources available at an on-base auto hobby shop.
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Flying for Free
Air Force Staff Sgt. Benjamin Hastings assists Coast Guard Investigator 1st Class, ret., John Brunslik, with checking in for his space-available (Space-A) flight.
Work Hard and Play Hard
The Army National Guard offers many recreational perks.
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From the Motor Pool to Real Estate
Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Bates earned an associate degree in business administration with tuition assistance from the Army Reserve.
Balancing Service with Daily Life
Austin, a member of the Air National Guard, talks about how drill weekend fits in with his other activities.
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Kid Rock Performs with the Air Force Reserve
Joining the Air Force Reserve can have a few unexpected perks, such as getting the chance to perform with Kid Rock.
A Tour of Army Family Housing
Housing on base is similar to housing in civilian communities.
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Marine Corps Benefits
Benefits extended to Marines and their families include travel, education and financial resources.
Life Overseas: Local Attractions
Living overseas provides many unique options for rest and relaxation, like the ones shown in this video from Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy.
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Schooling for Children of Servicemembers
Tech. Sgt. Sherry Ingram describes the on-base school that her children attend. Children of Airmen are eligible to attend school from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
Scheduling and Service
Esther, a nurse in the Air National Guard, explains how she balances her military service with her civilian job.
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Fresh Veggies at the Commissary
Shoppers stock up on produce at the commissary on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
An Army Family at Home
Maj. Joe Lehman and his wife have set up a comfortable home on base.
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Life as a Marine: Education
The Marine Corps encourages and enables Marines to pursue higher education.
Life Overseas: Seeing Sigonella
A look at local attractions that are available to servicemembers while they are stationed overseas.
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Inside the Enlisted Dorms
Single enlisted Airmen without dependents live in dormitories on base.
A Trip to the Commissary
Although food prices at the commissary are low, the quality remains high.
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Army Spouses Make Marriage Work
Warrant Officer Steven Kambouris and Staff Sgt. Adrienne Kambouris met while training and got married.
The Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon
Former Marine Bill Lawler visits the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon after a demonstration.
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Shopping on Base
A tour of the Base Exchange and Commissary at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy.
At the Commissary
Thanks to the commissary, servicemembers living on base can buy groceries at a discount.
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Air National Guard Perks
Esther, an Air National Guard nurse, describes many of the financial benefits that part-time service has to offer.
The Work of an Army Chaplain
Army chaplains are available on base and on the battlefield to offer spiritual support to servicemembers and their families.
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Life as a Marine Officer: Benefits
Marine officers are leaders in the Marine Corps, and the advantages of serving as a Marine far exceed a list of benefits.
Reserve Officer in White House Commissioning Ceremony
President Barack Obama, left, and Kim Ghanbari put Navy Ensign shoulder boards on Ghanbari's husband, Haraz Ghanbari.
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Support for Air Force Families
Maj. Brian Neese and his wife Shelley describe the many benefits the Air Force has to offer families.
A Step Above
According to Esther, an Air National Guard nurse, military service has a positive impact on how a person is seen in the civilian world.
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A Soldier on the Football Field
Sgt. 1st Class Earnest Wash serves full time in the Army and plays semi-pro football.
Life Overseas: Facilities at Sigonella
A tour of facilities at Naval Air Station Sigonella, a Navy base in Italy.
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A Comfortable Home for an Air Force Family
1st Lt. Julio Cano enjoys his on-base housing and describes the amenities that come with it.
Amazing Amenities
An Army sergeant describes the benefits and amenities he has available right on post.
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Inside the Home of an Air Force Family
An Air Force staff sergeant gives a tour of his home on an Air Force base.
Welcome Home
At a welcome home ceremony, members of the 233rd Transportation Company reunite with their family and friends.
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Hospital Access for Airmen
Active-duty Airmen receive free health care as one of their benefits, and they can go to on-base hospitals whenever necessary.
Fun with Friends
Two Army specialists and their friends unwind on the weekend with football, a barbecue, tug of war and a dunk tank.
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Education Centers for Servicemembers
At on-base education centers, enlisted servicemembers can get advice about their plans for higher education.
Physical Fitness
Soldiers get fit during Basic Combat Training, and regular exercise helps them stay strong.
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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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