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Photo 1 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
Two U.S Army Soldiers assigned to Task Force Associator qualify on rope climbing during the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. The evaluation for the FDCC tested endurance, upper body strength and involves rigorous swim training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)
Photo by: Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard
Photo 2 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Task Force Associator prepare for a 2.5 mile run during the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. For years, French forces in Djibouti have invited U.S. service members from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa to participate in the competition that occurs later this year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)
Photo by: Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard
Photo 3 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
U.S. Army 1st Sgt. Jeremiah Detwiler, assigned to Task Force Associator, evaluates Soldiers during the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. The evaluation for the FDCC tested endurance, upper body strength and involved rigorous swim training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)
Photo by: Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard
Photo 4 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
A U.S. Army Soldier performs push-ups during the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. The FDCC is a physically intense course designed to test the emotional, mental and physical limits of an individual, and is hosted by the French Armed Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)
Photo by: Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek
Photo 5 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
U.S. Army Soldiers pose for a photo during the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. The tryouts were held to select personnel that will represent the U.S. in the FDCC, where they will test their mental and physical endurance. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 6 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
A U.S. Army Soldier climbs a rope during the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. The FDCC is a physically intense course designed to test the emotional, mental and physical limits of an individual, and is hosted by the French Armed Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)
Photo by: Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek
Photo 7 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
A U.S. Army Soldier assigned to Task Force Associator performs pull ups during the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. For years, the French forces in Djibouti have invited U.S. service members from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa to participate in the competition that occurs later this year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)
Photo by: Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard
Photo 8 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Task Force Associator prepare for the push up segment during the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. The French Army invites a select number of U.S. service members to participate in the FDCC where participants compete to earn a qualification badge upon successful completion of the course. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)
Photo by: Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard
Photo 9 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
A U.S. Army Soldier performs pull ups during the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. The evaluation for the FDCC tested endurance, upper body strength and involved a vigorous swim training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)
Photo by: Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek
Photo 10 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
A U.S. Army Soldier performs a push-ups evaluation during the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. The evaluation for the FDCC tested endurance, upper body strength and involved a vigorous swim training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)
Photo by: Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek
Photo 11 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
A U.S Army Soldier assigned to Task Force Associator prepares for a swim qualification during the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. The FDCC is a physically intense course designed to test the emotional, mental and physical limits of an individual, and is hosted by the French Armed Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)
Photo by: Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard
Photo 12 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
A U.S. Army Soldier performs a plank during the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. The tryouts were held to select personnel that will represent the U.S. in the FDCC, where they will test their mental and physical endurance. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 13 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
A U.S Army Soldier assigned to Task Force Associator swims laps during the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. The FDCC is a physically intense course designed to test the emotional, mental and physical limits of an individual, and is hosted by the French Armed Forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard)
Photo by: Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard
Photo 14 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
U.S. Army Soldiers celebrate their completion of the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. The tryouts were held to select personnel that will represent the U.S. in the FDCC, where they will test their mental and physical endurance. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 15 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
A U.S. Army Soldier from Task Force Associator participates in the diving portion of the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. This portion had Soldiers attempt to lift a weighted brick out of the water, drop it and bring it to the surface, aiming for a maximum of 10 dives. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 16 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
A U.S. Army Soldier performs a rope climb as part of the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. The rope pull was one of five strength events that service members had to complete after a 2.5 mile run and were then graded on three different swimming events. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
Photo 17 of 17
FDCC tryouts begin on CLDJ
A U.S. Army Soldier participates in the diving portion of the French Desert Commando Course tryouts at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Jan. 22, 2025. This portion had Soldiers attempt to lift a weighted brick out of the water, drop it and bring it to the surface, aiming for a maximum of 10 dives. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Micheala Maldonado)
Photo by: Spc. Micheala Maldonado
For years, French Armed Forces in Djibouti have invited U.S. service members from Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa to participate in the French Desert Commando Course competition that occurs later this year.
On Jan. 22, 2025, participants from CJTF-HOA and Camp Lemonnier had to perform a variety of exercises including a 2.5 mile run, rope climb, push-ups, pull-ups, swimming, and many more to be selected to represent the U.S. in the competition that tests the limits of physical and mental toughness.
Photos by U.S. Army Specialist Michaela Maldonado, U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek and Airman 1st Class Synsere Howard
