1:40 PM3/27/2025

A U.S. service member participates in the Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 22, 2025. The ruck is a test of strength and endurance as they completed 18.6 miles in under four and a half hours with 25-pound rucksacks. (U.S Army Photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:40 PM3/27/2025

French soldiers participate in the Norwegian Foot March at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, March 22, 2025. First held in 1915, the Norwegian Armed Forces, the Forsvaret, meaning “the defense” in the Norwegian language, worked to expose new members to field conditions. Over the next century, the event evolved adding a foreign service badge earned for completing the foot march to the standard. (U.S Army Photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:15 PM3/26/2025

U.S. service members participate in the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. The multi-day course consisted of various land and water obstacles, combative training and extreme endurance exercises that challenged participants both physically and mentally. The training also assisted service members in ensuring that they are always ready, lethal and prepared for any scenario.

1:12 PM3/26/2025

French soldiers finish a water obstacle course during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 16, 2025. Founded in Djibouti by the French army, the FDCC became a routine training requirement for French soldiers stationed in Djibouti. The French army’s 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment hosts the course and has invited U.S. personnel stationed in Djibouti to participate since 2015. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:12 PM3/26/2025

U.S. service members finish a hand-to-hand combat portion during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. This training assisted service members in ensuring that they are always ready, lethal and prepared for any range of hand-to-hand combat scenarios. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:12 PM3/26/2025

A French Desert Commando Course instructor demonstrates how to complete a rope swing during the mountain course portion of the FDCC at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 16, 2025. Founded in Djibouti by the French army, the FDCC became a routine training requirement for French soldiers stationed in Djibouti. The French army’s 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment hosts the course and has invited U.S. personnel stationed in Djibouti to participate since 2015. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:12 PM3/26/2025

U.S. service members spar during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. This training assisted service members in ensuring that they are always ready, lethal and prepared for any range of hand-to-hand combat scenarios. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:12 PM3/26/2025

U.S. service members practice hand-to-hand combat during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. This training assisted service members in ensuring that they are always ready, lethal and prepared for any range of hand-to-hand combat scenarios. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:12 PM3/26/2025

U.S. service members learn night survival training during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 17, 2025. The night survival simulated a plane crash and tested how service members react and survive. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:12 PM3/26/2025

U.S. service members prepare to practice different grappling and jujitsu techniques during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. This training assisted service members in ensuring that they are always ready, lethal and prepared for any range of hand-to-hand combat scenarios. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:12 PM3/26/2025

U.S. service members practice hand-to-hand combat during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. This training assisted service members in ensuring that they are always ready, lethal and prepared for any range of hand-to-hand combat scenarios. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:12 PM3/26/2025

A U.S. service member learns different grappling and jujitsu techniques from a French Desert Commando Course instructor during the FDCC at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. This training assisted service members in ensuring that they are always ready, lethal and prepared for any range of hand-to-hand combat scenarios. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:12 PM3/26/2025

U.S. service members practice different grappling and jujitsu techniques during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. This training assisted service members in ensuring that they are always ready, lethal and prepared for any range of hand-to-hand combat scenarios. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

1:12 PM3/26/2025

U.S. service members lead a tabletop discussion during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. The operation consisted of the platoon breaking down into four separate squads and demonstrating drills in a simulated battle environment. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

3:10 PM3/25/2025

3:07 PM3/25/2025

A U.S. service member performs one of three rope portions during the mountain course for the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 20, 2025. The multi-day course consisted of various land and water obstacles, combative training and extreme endurance exercises that challenged participants both physically and mentally. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

3:07 PM3/25/2025

U.S. service members advance to the night survival portion of the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 17, 2025. The night survival simulated a plane crash and tested how service members react and survive. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

3:07 PM3/25/2025

U.S. service members build a fire as they prepare the night survival portion of the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 17, 2025. The night survival simulated a plane crash and tested how service members react and survive. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

3:07 PM3/25/2025

U.S. service members complete a tactical water crossing during the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 19, 2025. Before crossing, the team had to send a simulated casualty across without getting the casualty wet. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)

3:07 PM3/25/2025

U.S. service members advance to the night survival portion of the French Desert Commando Course at the Combat Training Center, Arta Beach, Djibouti March 17, 2025. The night survival simulated a plane crash and tested how service members react and survive. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)