Recruits work together during the Crucible at Parris Island, paratroopers train in Syria, Santa appears with the Blue Angels and more in this week's Frontline Photos. Despite retired Lt. Gen Thomas McInerney's claims, there weren't U.S. troops killed in a firefight with the CIA in Frankfurt. Defense Secretary Mark Esper called Military Times for a lengthy discussion of his time in office. For a nation enamored with supporting our troops, we sure seem to know very little about the individuals being supported. Poll participants also favored banning Confederate symbols and paraphernalia from all Defense Department locations by a three-to-one margin. Critics have questioned Esper’s reasoning for banning so many flags in the interest of rooting out one. The president's comments come as lawmakers move closed to forcing defense officials to make the name changes. Both the House and Senate have passed measures to force name changes, but that plan still could be changed in coming weeks. In an interview with Fox News, Trump rejected the idea of the Confederate flag as a symbol of racism. In the future, promotion board members may only see a troop's accomplishments when making a decision to select them for promotion. Load More