Mudbelly

By

Staff

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft assigned to the 18th Aggressor Squadron takes off from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Oct. 6, 2014, during RED FLAG-Alaska 15-1. RF-A is a series of Pacific Air Forces commander-directed field training exercises for U.S. and partner nation forces, providing combined offensive counter-air, interdiction, close air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Joseph Swafford Jr./Released)

Patrick Maguire, 19, from Rockville, Md. crawls through the mud of the “Wet and Sandy” part of the Sea Trials at the Naval Academy with his fellows plebes. Based on the Battle Stations exercise at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Ill., and the Marine Corps’ Crucible, Sea Trials is the capstone training event for the academy’s freshmen class. The plebes navigate various physical and mental challenges, ranging from obstacle courses, long-distance group runs, damage control scenarios and water training.