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“I serve because I want to be the change in the world, I want to be a part of the reason the world is becoming a better place day by day.” – Pfc. Briana Roland, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) specialist,1775th Military Police Company

A member of the Rwanda Defence Force posts security during the field training exercise of Exercise Shared Accord 2019, in Gabiro, Rwanda August 25, 2019. SA 19, which runs Aug. 14- 28, is focused on bringing together U.S. and Rwandan forces, African partner militaries, allies and international organizations to increase readiness, interoperability, and partnership building between participating nations for peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Heather Doppke/79th Theater Sustainment Command)

"I joined the federal government because, at the age of 23, I was excited about health insurance and paid time off. About a year after I started, I realized how important the civilian workforce is to not only the men and women who serve in our armed forces, but also the entire nation if not world. I believe in what we do as civilians and the support roles we play to assist with the mission of the agencies we work for," said Jamie Jugran, a human resource specialist with U.S. Army Africa

#WhyIServe "I serve to continue my family's tradition of military service and I love that I can use my skills as a lawyer to further accomplish the mission that USARAF is doing." - Brittany Codd, an attorney advisor specializing in contracting Fiscal Law for USARAF.

#WhyIServe "I serve to continue my family's tradition of military service and I love that I can use my skills as a lawyer to further accomplish the mission that USARAF is doing." - Brittany Codd, an attorney advisor specializing in contracting Fiscal Law for USARAF.

U.S. service members from the 485th Engineering Company out of Machesney Park/Arlington Heights, Illinois work alongside members of the Rwanda Defence Force to prepare an area for cement at the Rwanda Military Academy, Gacko, Rwanda during Exercise Shared Accord 19 on August 18, 2019. During the exercise, the engineering company and members of the Rwandan Defence Force are working together to clear and prepare an area for a future displaced persons training site. Shared Accord 2019, which runs Aug. 14- 28, is focused on bringing together U.S. and Rwandan forces, African partner militaries, allies and international organizations to increase readiness, interoperability, and partnership building between participating nations for peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Janeen Miller)

Planners from the U.S., United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Tunisia and Morocco pose for a group photo during the initial planning event for African Lion 2020, August 6, 2019, in Agadir, Morocco. Exercise African Lion is a U.S. Army Africa-led multinational joint force exercise focused on improving interoperability between participating nations.

Shared Accord participants directors, Rwandan and United States leadership pose for a photo following the official opening at SA19 at Gabiro Training Center, Gabiro, Rwanda August 14-29, 2019. SA19, sponsored by the U.S. Africa Command and executed by U.S. Army Africa (USARAF), trains participants on U.S., United Nations and African Union mandated peacekeeping operations by replicating real-world scenario from the U.N. mission in the Central Africa Republic, Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUCCA)

#WhyIServe "I serve for the educational opportunity and finish my bachelor's in civil engineering" -Sgt. John Placido, all-wheeled mechanic

Scott Saunders, U.S. Army Africa intelligence planner, discusses the field training exercise portion of African Lion 2020 with the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces planners in Agadir, Kingdom of Morocco, August 6, 2019. Exercise African Lion is a U.S. Army Africa-led multinational joint force exercise focused on improving interoperability between participating nations. The African Lion initial planning event hosted countries from the U.S., United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Tunisia and the Kingdom of Morocco.

"I serve to challenge myself, to step out my comfort zone and become the best person I can be." -Sgt. Kiara Perez, operations and training room NCO

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment navigate a low-water crossing with members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force during a cordon and search training exercise at the Hurso Training Center near Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, July 19, 2019. The situational training exercise is being conducted as part of Justified Accord 2019. Justified Accord is an annual combined, joint exercise designed to strengthen partnerships, increase interoperability and enhance the capability and capacity of international participants to promote regional security and support peacekeeping operations for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Aubry Buzek)

U.S. Army Soldiers and a member of the Ethiopian National Defense Force watch a Mi-17 helicopter take off during a casualty evacuation exercise at the Hurso Training Center near Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, July 25, 2019. The exercise is being conducted as part of Justified Accord 2019. Justified Accord is an annual combined, joint exercise designed to strengthen partnerships, increase interoperability and enhance the capability and capacity of international participants to promote regional security and support peacekeeping operations for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Aubry Buzek)

An Ethiopian National Defense Force member assists U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 615th Engineer Construction Company, 4th Engineer Battalion at Fort Carson, Colorado, with building the components of Somali-style huts for a training area at the Hurso Training Center near Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, July 15, 2019, as part of Justified Accord 19. Justified Accord is an annual combined, joint exercise designed to strengthen partnerships, increase interoperability and enhance the capability and capacity of international participants to promote regional security and support peacekeeping operations for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Aubry Buzek)

Distinguished delegation met with top officials at the US Army Africa HQ. "We thank our men and women in uniform for their service to our nation and commit to the pursuit of freedom across the world," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Distinguished delegation met with top officials at the US Army Africa HQ. "We thank our men and women in uniform for their service to our nation and commit to the pursuit of freedom across the world," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Members of the U.S. Army and Ethiopian National Defense Force introduce themselves before the opening ceremony for the field training exercise portion of Justified Accord 2019 at the Hurso Training Center near Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, July 16, 2019. Justified Accord is an annual combined, joint exercise designed to strengthen partnerships, increase interoperability and enhance the capability and capacity of international participants to promote regional security and support peacekeeping operations for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Aubry Buzek)

Members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force and the U.S. Army salute during their respective national anthems during the opening ceremony for the field training exercise portion of Justified Accord 2019 at the Hurso Training Center near Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, July 16, 2019. Justified Accord is an annual combined, joint exercise designed to strengthen partnerships, increase interoperability and enhance the capability and capacity of international participants to promote regional security and support peacekeeping operations for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Aubry Buzek)

Members of the Ethiopian National Defense Force and U.S. Army color guards prepare to present the national flags during the opening ceremony for the field training exercise portion of Justified Accord 2019 at the Hurso Training Center near Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, July 16, 2019. Justified Accord is an annual combined, joint exercise designed to strengthen partnerships, increase interoperability and enhance the capability and capacity of international participants to promote regional security and support peacekeeping operations for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Aubry Buzek)

Members of the local and international media participate in a press conference during the opening ceremony of exercise Justified Accord 2019 at the Peace Support Training Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 15, 2019. JA19 is a U.S. Army Africa-led exercise designed to enhance the capacity and capability of participating international staff and forces in peacekeeping operations in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ian Valley)

U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Michael Raynor, left, and Brig. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, the U.S. Army Africa deputy commanding general and co-director for exercise Justified Accord 2019, second from right, meet leaders of the Ethiopian National Defense Force before the opening ceremony of exercise Justified Accord 2019 at the Peace Support Training Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 15, 2019. JA19 is a U.S. Army Africa-led exercise designed to enhance the capacity and capability of participating international staff and forces in peacekeeping operations in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ian Valley)

Leaders from the Ethiopian National Defense Force, the U.S., and other global partners posed for a group photo following the opening ceremony of exercise Justified Accord 2019 at the Peace Support Training Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 15, 2019. JA19 is a U.S. Army Africa-led exercise designed to enhance the capacity and capability of participating international staff and forces in peacekeeping operations in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ian Valley)

U.S. Army Medical Professionals inspect a patient’s x-ray during Medical Readiness Exercise 19-3 at Accra, Ghana, June 10, 2019. MEDREX 19-3 allows U.S. forces to train in an alternatively resourced environment, share medical practices, and build lasting relationships with Ghanaian medical professionals. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Craig Jensen)

During the Command Senior Enlisted Leaders program at the African Land Forces summit 2019, Senior NCOs conducted a site visit at the Botswana Defence Force NCO development school on a military base in Gaborone, Botswana, June 25, 2019.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper, Defense Security Cooperation Agency director (Left), U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Vincent Santiago, senior enlisted advisor at the DSCA (middle), and Warrant Officer Elijah Koranga, Kenya Defense Force, share a laugh during the African Land Forces Summit 2019 in Gaborone, Botswana, June 24, 2019. ALFS is a four-day seminar that brings together land forces chiefs from across Africa to discuss topics of common interest.

The mobility section of U.S. Army Africa (USARAF), G4, holds U.S. Army Africa Transportation forum in Garmisch, Germany, June 11-13.

USARAF, G4, is hosting an Africa Transportation forum in Garmisch, Germany June 11-13. Forum presenters are offering training and logistical insight on how to best move cargo into Africa to U.S. Army Africa Command, U.S. Army Africa, U.S. Army Europe, U.S. Naval Forces Command, and U.S. Air Force Service members, and more than a dozen other influential civilian or foreign commercial carriers.

"I joined the military to serve. My great grandpa, grandpa, dad, step-dad, and mother all served and I felt it was my obligation to serve as they did for our country. Now the Army is MY family and I love everyday I spend in it," U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jimmy Podolak, 774th Ordnance Company (EOD), Fort Riley, Kansas. Photo: Improvised Explosive Device Defeat training, May 5-30, 2019, Makurdi Nigeria.

"I joined the military to serve. My great grandpa, grandpa, dad, step-dad, and mother all served and I felt it was my obligation to serve as they did for our country. Now the Army is MY family and I love everyday I spend in it," U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jimmy Podolak, 774th Ordnance Company (EOD), Fort RIley, Kansas. Photo: Improvised Explosive Device Defeat training, May 5-30, 2019, Makurdi Nigeria.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Brian Miller, left, explosive ordnance technician, from the 774th Ordnance Company (EOD), Fort Riley, Kansas, begins the Improvised Explosive Device Defeat training lane with a block of instruction May 30, 2019, at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineers in Makurdi, Nigeria. The U.S. Army Africa-led training strengthens partner networks and builds partner capacity in the fight against threats from violent extremist organizations.

Brig. Gen. Eric Folkestad, U.S. Army Africa deputy commanding general, Army Reserve Engagement Cell Director, hosts a breakfast for all USARAF National Guard and Reserve Soldiers at the dining facility on Caserma Del Din, Vicenza, Italy, May 23, 2019. Brig. Gen. Folkestad brought USARAF National Guard and Reserve Soldiers together to exchange ideas and develop a strong working relationship.

"I joined the military because my family has a history of military service. My father was my role model and he served in the Air Force. This is my dream job, I really love it." -Maj. Jessica E. Borowicz, U.S. Army Africa west region desk officer

Chaplain (Maj.) Matthew D. Madison, the U.S. Army Africa operations chaplain, right, leads a small group discussion with the Gambia Armed Forces chaplains during an event held April 23-26, 2019, at the Gambia Pastoral Institute in Banjul, Gambia. (U.S. Army photo)

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the East Africa Response Force (EARF) and Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 113th Infantry Regiment, New Jersey Army National Guard, both deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), depart a C-130J Hercules assigned to the 75th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron, CJTF-HOA, during an emergency deployment response exer-cise at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 1, 2019. The EARF provides a broad range of rapidly de-ployable military capabilities to protect American interests on the African continent should any threat arise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Thomas Grimes)

"My father and his father both served before me, so I wanted to continue the family tradition and follow in their footsteps." -U.S.Army SPC Christopher Alexander, USARAF all-wheel mechanic.

Kristen Clark, Eric Doro and Sarah Galvin, the 2018 U.S. Army Africa Emerging Enterprise Leader participants, meet on Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy, April 30, 2019, to discuss the positive effects the program has had on their civilian careers. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Gaelen Lowers)

#WhyWeServe Wednesday " I serve to get a great experience for my civilian career, all while providing for my family in Nairobi, Kenya." -Spc Obadiah Okari U.S. Army Africa, Headquarter Support Company all-wheel mechanic

U.S. Army Civil Affairs Team 4034 conducts human rights and law training prepared by the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies with the Cameroonian military in Garoua, Cameroon, on May 6, 2019. This military exchange strengthens partner capacity, increases #readiness and facilitates dialogue about human rights.