TIME’s photo editors bring you the best pictures from the front lines and home.
Battleland Diary, Dec. 17–23
Brian J. Clark / The Virginian-Pilot
Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta, left, kisses her girlfriend of two years, Petty Officer 3rd Class Citlalic Snell, at Little Creek, Virginia, Dec. 22, 2011. According to tradition, one lucky sailor is chosen to be first off the ship to kiss a loved one. Today, for the first time, the couple was gay.
