Tuesday marks National Reptile Awareness Day , a time to appreciate the cold-blooded creatures that have slithered, crawled and snapped their way through human history. For the U.S. military, that appreciation runs deeper than curiosity.

From cobras to gators, reptilian mascots and call signs appear on patches, aircraft and unit logos across every branch. These creatures represent qualities service members value most: patience, precision and power.

Reptiles embody a primal toughness that resonates with warfighters. A cobra never warns before it strikes. A gator waits still and silent until the right moment. That instinct for timing and discipline mirrors how military personnel are trained to operate.

A sniper may hold his breath for hours before taking a shot. A gator may wait underwa

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