How can you not beam with pride at the sight of America’s finest in action?

Sgt. Cody Outcalt shows Spc. Ronald Heater, both Soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Apache Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, where he spotted possible enemy troops moving in the distance while on a foot patrol in southern Afghanistan, July 30, 2012.

Pfc. Kyle Peters and Pfc. Justin Ford, Soldiers with 2nd Platoon, Apache Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, scan the horizon after taking small-arms fire from insurgents in southern Afghanistan, July 30, 1012.

Spc. Kirsten Price of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, returns fire on insurgents when they engaged his platoon with small-arms fire Aug. 1, 2012, in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan. Price is firing an M249 squad automatic weapon.

Pfc. Ronald Heater, a soldier with 2nd Platoon, Apache Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, writes down grid locations while on a foot patrol in southern Afghanistan, July 30, 2012.

Soldiers with 2nd Platoon, Apache Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, scan their sectors as they step off on a foot patrol in southern Afghanistan July 30, 2012.

Sgt. Cody Outcalt a soldier with 2nd Platoon, Apache Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, returns fire during a firefight with insurgents in southern Afghanistan, July 30, 2012.

Soldiers with 2nd Platoon, Apache Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, return fire during a firefight with insurgents in southern Afghanistan, July 30, 2012.

U.S. Army soldiers from D Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, Task Force 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, watch a neighboring village after taking small-arms fire at Combat Outpost Kherwar, Aug. 5, 2012.

A U.S. Army soldier from D Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, Task Force 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, takes aim with a Barrett .50-calibre rifle, after taking fire at Combat Outpost Kherwar, Aug. 5, 2012.