A digital camera may require batteries. Most models would need 2-4 AA batteries. It would be more economical to get rechargeable batteries because most of these gadgets drain them too fast. The manual would probably touch on how fast the batteries are consumed. Based on it, users would have an idea how soon they need to change them according to how many shots are taken and how often the other features are used. A digital camera may also have its own battery in which case the battery charger would also come with the kit.

There are many shooting modes available and there is also built-in processing for the images taken. The special effects can vary from something that looks fun or classic. For those who want to get a simple digital camera for documentation and those who do not wish to understand all the complicated settings one has, there is also a selection of point and shoot cameras. Point and shoot units would often be equipped with different kinds of automatic features that would help in using the apt settings for the shooting conditions.

There are compact units and there are bulkier ones. Oftentimes, a bulkier digital camera would have more features than that of a compact one. However, many people still choose more compact units particularly because of its convenience. Some units are small enough to be slid inside a shirt pocket. Compact models are also lightweight that people no longer have to convince themselves to bring one with them. There are also some establishments that do not allow dslrs. A compact digital camera can be quite handy in those scenarios.

There are also those that are shock-proof. Some are water-proof and some can actually be submerged underwater as much as 33 feet. Freeze-proof cameras are also geared for colder temperatures. These features are ideal for people who need to bring a camera in their adventures.

Take it easy with Canon Ixus .

As you might expect, the most popular soldier’s products are non-perishable foods. Beef jerky tops this list, not necessarily because it is the most preferred, but perhaps because it is a good source of protein and is able to be stored for a long time. Along those lines, then, protein bars and powder are also greatly appreciated.

Anything that can be prepared in the microwave is also something they enjoy. Convenient foods like nuts, cookies, snack cakes, cereal, chips, and granola are always welcome too because they are familiar and likely a large departure from the MRE’s or mess hall food they are used to.

Speaking of familiarity, the military recommends you give soldier’s products that remind them of home. These can be as simple as the convenient luxuries many people take for granted, like travel size hair gel, shampoo, facial cleanser, and deodorant.

Many soldiers miss the brand name products from home so this is a good way to let them know that you are thinking of them and want them to be happy. Comfort and entertainment items like cushioned shoe insoles, assorted batteries, and even movies and video games that help to distract from their daily routine are also popular.

One way that people like to help out is through monetary donation. This includes formal payments like checks and money orders, but also cash and in some cases credit card payments.

You might also consider donating clothing that you don’t need or even house wares that you can easily replace. During times like this it is especially important to make sure that you give as much as you can to help Haiti because they are in such dire need of resources.

Another way that you can help Haiti, which is true for most cases, is with your time and energy. While flying half way across the world can be very expensive and time-consuming, it can also be uniquely rewarding, and provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Many times you can also write off your plane ticket as a charitable donation.

Actually, you can write off nearly anything and everything you give away, which is a great incentive to dig through your closets and garage to find goods that you no longer use or need. You’ll be providing a much needed service to people in a desperate separation and get a nice addition to your tax return in the process.

The U. S. Armed Forces is one of the largest armies in the world. It is also the most advanced in terms of weaponry and equipment. Each soldier has been trained to be the best in what he does. Soldiers not only in fight in the battlefield, but also help out in times of need. There are five service branches in the U. S. Military. These branches are: The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The President of the United States of America is the head of the military.

The U. S. Army is the largest and oldest of the service branches. It is responsible for all land associated functions of the military. They provide the manpower and support to defend the nation’s security and safety. Each soldier lives by a code that they call the seven army core values. The seven army core values are Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.

The Air Force is responsible for Air and Space war functions of the military. It is considered as the youngest of all service branches. At one time, the Air Force was a part of the Army. It was only in 1947 when they became independent. Together with the Coast Guard, they help out in search and rescue operations.

The Navy takes care of the sea functions of the military. By itself, it is the largest naval branch in the whole world. They also have the most number of aircraft carrier fleets. Today, their mission is to keep the oceans safe for the United States and allies. They also help keep the country safe against any form of aggression.

The Marine Corps provides a ready force of soldiers and equipment at any given time. Marines are equipped and ready to fight at a moment’s notice. This force is used to answer any threat to the security of the nation. They work closely with the Navy to train, transport and equip their soldiers.

The Coast Guard provides home security and enforces the law at sea. They maintain the law in other bodies of water in the United States of America. Part of their job is to help out in search and rescue operations. This is the only branch of the armed forces that is constantly at work. While the other branches get ready for war, they are hard at work. Always ready to save lives and keep the peace.

CSM Harrelson enlisted into the Marine Corps on 6 September 1967 and served for 4 years. He was discharged from the USMC on 5 September 1971. He joined the National Guard on 11 September 1984. His first unit of assignment was A Company, 1/263rd Armor Battalion in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. CSM Harrelson was appointed to Command Sergeant Major of the 1/263rd Armor Battalion on 31 October 2001. He went on to serve as the 218 enhanced Separate Brigade Sergeant Major on 1 May 2004.

CSM Harrelson’s military schools include the Primary Leadership Course, Basic NCO School, Advanced NCO Course, 1SGs Course, Sergeants Major Academy.

CSM Harrelson’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, Army and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

CSM Harrelson is the owner of Harrelson’s Construction Company, located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Colonel Batts’ previous assignments in the SCARNG include Platoon Leader, A Company 1-118 Infantry, Executive Officer, A Company 1-118 Infantry, Company Commander, A Company 1-118 Infantry, Company Commander, C Company 1-118 Infantry, S3-Air, 1-118 Infantry Battalion (M), S3-Air, 218th Enhanced Separate Brigade, S3, 1-118 Infantry Battalion (M), Executive Officer 1-118 Infantry Battalion (M), Battalion Commander, 1-118 Infantry Battalion (M), S3, 59th Troop Command, Executive Officer, 59th Troop Command, and Chief of Staff, 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command.

Colonel Batts earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Wofford College in 1979, a Master of Arts degree in Education from the Citadel in 1994, and Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College in 2004.

Colonel Batts’ formal military schools include the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff Officer’s Course, and the U.S. Army War College.

Colonel Batts’ military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon.

BG Livingston has been Commander, 218th Infantry Brigade since 1 October 2005. He enlisted in the SCARNG in March 1978 and received his commission from the Palmetto Military Academy on 30 June 1980. BG Livingston’s key assignments have been as Platoon Leader and Scout Platoon Leader, 4-118 Infantry Battalion, Commander, A/122nd Engineer Battalion; Commander, 125th Engineer Company; Commander, 178th Engineer Battalion; Commander, 122nd Engineer Battalion, Director of Training (POTO); and Commander of Task Force 218. BG Livingston was last assigned as Deputy Brigade Commander 218th eSB (M).

BG Livingston’s military schools include the United States Army Infantry Basic Training, Airborne School, Officers Candidate School (Palmetto Military Academy), United States Army Infantry Officer Basic and Advance Courses, United States Army Engineer Officer Advance Course, Command and General Staff College and United States Army War College.

BG Livingston’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Deployment Ribbon and Airborne Badge.

BG Livingston is the owner and president of a $65 Million Dollar a year Electrical Construction Company.

BG Livingston and his wife, Barbara, have four children and live in South Carolina.

Immediately following the collapse of the Taliban regime, Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division began the initial development of the ANA as Task Force Phoenix I.

Every subsequent rotation has been comprised primarily of National Guard Soldiers. Phoenix II built up the first Afghan Corps in Kabul, Afghanistan. Phoenix III took on the daunting task of splitting that Corps into 5 separate Corps and locating them throughout the country at five strategic centers. Phoenix IV worked to build up those Corps to full strength.

The mission continues to expand with TF Phoenix V taking on additional responsibilities associated with training and supporting the Afghan National Police, as well as continuing to train and mentor the growing Afghan National Army. TF Phoenix V are comprised primarily of soldiers from the National Guard, with members representing 49 of the 50 states. In addition, they have attached elements from the Active Duty Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.

The key principles for building Afghanistan’s Security Forces include developing loyalty to the Government of Afghanistan and developing a disciplined and professional Army culture that is ethnically diverse. Without question, the ANA is the most successful government institution in the country, due in large part to the balanced mix of ethnicities in all of the units.

Lieutenant Colonel Braddock was born in Hartsville, SC on 8 March 1961 and received his commission from The Citadel in 1983 where he graduated as a Distinguished Military Graduate. While on active duty LTC Braddock served in Europe with the 8th Infantry Division as Platoon Leader, Co’s A & E, 4-8 Infantry and Executive Officer, Co C, 4-8 Infantry. Upon his return from Europe and graduation from the Infantry Officer’s Advanced Course, he served in the 24th Infantry Division as the Battalion Logistics Officer (S4), 2-7 Infantry and as Commander, Co E, 2-7 Infantry during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. LTC Braddock next served with FMC Corporation’s Defense Plant Representative Office as a Training With Industry student. During his last assignment on Active Duty, he served with the 1st Infantry Division as a Bold Shift Collective Trainer with 1-118 Infantry of the SCARNG.

LTC Braddock left Active Duty in 1993 and joined the 218th enhanced Separate Brigade of the South Carolina National Guard. During his service in the National Guard, LTC Braddock has severed as S-3 Air, 1-118 Infantry; Liaison Officer, 218th eSB; Training Officer in the State Plans, Operations and Training Office; Assistant S-3/Brigade Plans Officer, S-3 and Executive Officer for the 218th eSB; and Executive Officer for Task Force 218. Prior to beginning his current assignment, LTC Braddock served as the Commander of Task Force 218/Task Force East.

LTC Braddock is a graduate of Hartsville High School, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Citadel and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

LTC Braddock’s military schools include Air Assault School, Airborne School, United States Army Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Improved TOW Vehicle Trainer Course, United States Army Logistics Officer S4 Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Management of Defense Acquisition Contracts – Basic, Training With Industry, Command and General Staff Officers Course and the United States Army War College.

LTC Braddock’s military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal (1 Bronze Service Star), Southwest Asia Service Medal (2 Bronze Service Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device and Bronze Hourglass, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (with Numeral 2), Overseas Service Bar, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Parachute Badge, Air Assault Badge and Valorous Unit Award. LTC Braddock’s foreign awards include the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Government of Kuwait) and French Armed Forces Commando Badge.

The people of Afghanistan are so unimaginably poor, that it is common for Soldiers on patrol to see children dressed in rags trudging through the snow with no shoes, gloves, hats or socks. Food and water are difficult to come by and most Afghans live in dilapidated mud huts, tents, or bombed out building shells. Disease and malnutrition thrive in this environment and it is difficult for the people to believe that there is hope for a better future. Many Task Force Phoenix V servicemembers purchase or donate blankets, food and clothing items from their own salaries to help the people of Afghanistan survive the harsh environment.

Humanitarian assistance and rebuilding projects have a profound impact on the citizens of Afghanistan and contribute heavily to the success of Task Force Phoenix VI. By helping Afghan citizens, U.S. Forces are showing them that they can have a better life than what was available under the Taliban regime. The more the Afghans trust U.S. Forces, the more they help the war-fight by volunteering intelligence about insurgent activities. According to a recent poll in the Washington Post, 88% of the Afghan population supports the American presence in Afghanistan contributing directly to the safety of Americans deployed here. Humanitarian assistance and rebuilding projects are often the favorite missions of our servicemembers. Through their participation, our servicemembers have the opportunity to directly improve the lives of Afghan citizens and see the results of our nation-building efforts, as well as contribute to the overall operational safety of our forces.

Operation Not Forgotten is an organization started by U.S. Sailors and Seabees at Camp Phoenix. This organization reaches out to the local community supplying wells, food, clothing, schools, and other health and welfare items. They work with other coalition forces as well as the Afghan National Army.