Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and USO talent visits service members in Manas , Kyrgyzstan, Dec. 14, 2012. - Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and USO talent visits service members in Manas , Kyrgyzstan, Dec. 14, 2012.

Sheila Patton, mother of Army Staff Sgt. James R. Patton, who was killed in Iraq in 2010, traveled with her daughter from Fort Campbell, Ky., to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to participate in the “Wreaths Across America” tribute to fallen U.S. service members, Dec. 15, 2012. - Sheila Patton, mother of Army Staff Sgt. James R. Patton, who was killed in Iraq in 2010, traveled with her daughter from Fort Campbell, Ky., to Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to participate in the “Wreaths Across America” tribute to fallen U.S. service members, Dec. 15, 2012.

An AH-1W Super Cobra with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 sits on the Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, flightline, Dec. 15, 2012. The squadron’s corrosion control section hand painted a mural on the side of the Super Cobra to help remind the squadron’s Marines and all servicemembers who see the aircraft of why they are deployed. - An AH-1W Super Cobra with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 169 sits on the Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, flightline, Dec. 15, 2012. The squadron’s corrosion control section hand painted a mural on the side of the Super Cobra to help remind the squadron’s Marines and all servicemembers who see the aircraft of why they are deployed.

Lance Cpl. Robert Walters, combat photographer, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, takes a photograph while on a patrol through the battalion’s area of operations, Nov. 11, 2012. Walters broke his elbow a year and a half before he joined the Marine Corps and refused to let it hinder him as a Marine. - Lance Cpl. Robert Walters, combat photographer, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, takes a photograph while on a patrol through the battalion’s area of operations, Nov. 11, 2012. Walters broke his elbow a year and a half before he joined the Marine Corps and refused to let it hinder him as a Marine.

Marines with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, provide security for Combat Outpost Shamsher, Dec. 15, 2012. As the security element for the base, Golf Co. provides a sense of reassurance as the other sections conduct day-to-day operations throughout the camp. - Marines with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, provide security for Combat Outpost Shamsher, Dec. 15, 2012. As the security element for the base, Golf Co. provides a sense of reassurance as the other sections conduct day-to-day operations throughout the camp.

Cpl. David M. Gerardi recieves the Silver Star from Maj. Gen. Melvin Spiese, commanding general of 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade Dec. 10, for his actions while deployed to Afghanistan. - Cpl. David M. Gerardi recieves the Silver Star from Maj. Gen. Melvin Spiese, commanding general of 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade Dec. 10, for his actions while deployed to Afghanistan.

U.S. and Philippine service members load food packs destined for disaster-impacted areas in the southern Philippines, Dec. 9, 2012. - U.S. and Philippine service members load food packs destined for disaster-impacted areas in the southern Philippines, Dec. 9, 2012.