Politics

sapper_0923

Sapper candidate and Army Captain Aston Armstrong gets a hug from Army Captain John Todd, a fellow Sapper who also passed as her friend, Sapper candidate and Army Captain Stephanie Godman (left) also celebrates their success as they hug, cry and laugh after learning they both made the cut at the conclusion of the grueling of Sapper School training course at U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) and Fort Leonard Wood in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Wednesday, June 27, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

sapper_0919

Taking the leadership role today, Sapper candidate and Army Captain Aston Armstrong talks in whispers to her platoon for the next mission to detonate explosives, during another day of Sapper School training at U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) and Fort Leonard Wood in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Monday, June 25, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

sapper_0915

Sapper candidate and Army Captain Aston Armstrong (right) is posted up next to her "Battle Buddy" Army SFC Jonathan Guerrero (left) in a clearing during a break to eat a meal during another day of Sapper School training at U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) and Fort Leonard Wood in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Tuesday, June 26, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

sapper_0913

Taking the leadership role today, Sapper candidate and Army Captain Aston Armstrong prepares the position of her platoon for the next mission to detonate explosives, during another day of Sapper School training at U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) and Fort Leonard Wood in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Monday, June 25, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

sapper_0911

With temperatures in the triple digits, Sapper candidate and Army Captain Aston Armstrong (right) wipes the sweat from her face as she confers with Army SSG Rock Richardson (left) and Army Captain Pablo Diaz (center) as she prepares her platoon for their next mission during another day of Sapper School training at U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) and Fort Leonard Wood in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Monday, June 25, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

sapper_0909

Sapper candidate and Army Captain Aston Armstrong carries her weapon as she and other prepare to move from the woods after planning their next mission during another day of Sapper School training at U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) and Fort Leonard Wood in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Monday, June 25, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

sapper_0905

Sapper candidate and Army Captain Stephanie Godman repels down the side of a cliff during another day of Sapper School training at U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) and Fort Leonard Wood in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Tuesday, June 26, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

sapper_0902

Sapper candidate and Army Captain Aston Armstrong patrols the scene as she and the Sapper candidates navigate a firefight on a mission, during another day of Sapper School training at U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center (MANSCEN) and Fort Leonard Wood in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Wednesday, June 27, 2012. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)

caps_147

Fans watch a scrimmage during the Washington Capitals' development camp at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington on Monday, July 9, 2012. (Ryan M.L. Young/The Washington Times)

caps_146

Goalie Steffen Soberg defends his net during a scrimmage at the Washington Capitals' development camp at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington on Monday, July 9, 2012. (Ryan M.L. Young/The Washington Times)

caps_145

Nate Schmidt (right) checks Brant Harris (left) into the boards during a scrimmage at the Washington Capitals' development camp at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington on Monday, July 9, 2012. (Ryan M.L. Young/The Washington Times)

caps_144

Andrew Ammon (left), Filip Forsberg (center) and Barry Almeida (right) watch from the bench during a scrimmage at the Washington Capitals' development camp at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington on Monday, July 9, 2012. (Ryan M.L. Young/The Washington Times)