Hear from young service members about their decisions to join, the friendships they’ve forged, the skills they’ve developed, and their opportunities to make an impact in the Military.
Hear from young service members about their decisions to join, the friendships they’ve forged, the skills they’ve developed, and their opportunities to make an impact in the Military.
Want to know more? Get up to date with the latest stories about service members and how all six branches make a positive impact every day.
Finding Fulfillment
From making an impact in the lives of others to meaningful connections and skills that last a lifetime — discover how young adults find fulfillment in the Military.
When the Navy's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier set off last month on its second deployment, it carried something both familiar and entirely novel:
Meet Sage, the USS Gerald R. Ford's facility dog. Under a pilot program, she is the first "expanded operational stress control canine" that will be part of the crew of a Navy ship throughout a deployment.
The 3-year-old Labrador retriever has been specially trained to help sailors cope with stress associated with deployment, providing comfort and morale boosts as part of the ship's warfighter toughness mental health and resiliency team.
Sage's Stare Sage is deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford in the Atlantic Ocean, May 3, 2023. Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jackson Adkins
Sage at Sea Sage is deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford as part of the Expanded Operational Stress Control Canine pilot program. Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jackson Adkins
Recently, Sage and her handlers visited sailors aboard the USS Normandy, another ship in the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, in the Mediterranean Sea. From the looks of it, things went swimmingly.
They Call it Puppy Love Sage, The USS Gerald R. Ford’s facility dog, visits the USS Normandy in the Mediterranean Sea, June 20, 2023. Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Malachi Lakey
Affection Afloat Navy Lt. j.g. Robert McGroarty spends time with Sage, the USS Gerald R. Ford’s facility dog, as the dog and her handlers visit the USS Normandy in the Mediterranean Sea, June 20, 2023. Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Malachi Lakey
Soulful Gaze Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Daniel Velasquez spends time with Sage, the USS Gerald R. Ford’s facility dog, as the dog and her handlers visit the USS Normandy in the Mediterranean Sea, June 20, 2023.
Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Malachi Lakey
Comfortable Companionship Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Emily Brashear-Stephen pets Sage, the USS Gerald R. Ford’s facility dog, as the dog and her handlers visit the USS Normandy in the Mediterranean Sea, June 20, 2023. Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Malachi Lakey
Good Girl Sage, the USS Gerald R. Ford’s facility dog, visits the USS Normandy in the Mediterranean Sea, June 20, 2023. Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Malachi Lakey
Creature Comfort Sage, the USS Gerald R. Ford’s facility dog, visits the USS Normandy in the Mediterranean Sea, June 20, 2023. Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Malachi Lakey
Grabbing Some Z's Sage, the USS Gerald R. Ford’s facility dog, takes a nap before a flight back to the aircraft carrier after her visit to the guided missile cruiser USS Normandy in the Mediterranean Sea, June 20, 2023.
Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Malachi Lakey
