Barack Obama's final address to US troops was tinged with levity - and perhaps nostalgia - on Sunday.

His Christmas Day address at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, close to where his family is vacationing, saw him paying tribute to the men and women of the military and promising his continued support even when he leaves office.

And, he joked, though he's losing the 'privilege' of being the Commander in Chief of the US military, he does get to keep some fringe benefits.

'I understand that I still have a little bit of rank as ex-President,' Obama said. 'So I still get to use the gym on base - and, of course, the golf course.'

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Farewell: Barack Obama gave his last speech to US troops on Christmas Day in Hawaii, joking that he hoped to still use their gym and golf course even after he stepped down

Obama is the only president in US history to serve full two terms with the nation at war, and in his speed he sought to pay tribute to the men and women who gave up their lives.

'I just want all of you to know that it has been the privilege of my life to serve as your Commander in Chief,' he said, as First Lady Michelle Obama stood at his side.

The President, who spent Christmas Eve calling troops serving overseas, pointed out that as Americans celebrate the holidays, US troops are serving in dangerous, remote places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

He said some were carrying out missions against the Islamic State group even on Christmas Day.

'As tough as it is to be deployed, the people here in America, back home, understand that every single day you serve, you're fighting for our freedom,' he said.

Thankful: On a more serious note, the President said that being the Commander in Chief of the US military had been 'the privilege of [his] life' and that he would always support the troops

Obama has made it a tradition to spend some time on Christmas at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, not far from the rented house that he and his family have made their winter home away from home.

As he spoke, a few hundred troops sat around tables in uniforms, many with their families, in a mess hall hosting their Christmas meal.

Obama ran for President eight years ago as an opponent of the war in Iraq, then inherited conflicts there and in Afghanistan.

Though he declared the end of the US combat missions in both countries and drastically ramped down US involvement in those conflicts, some 8,400 troops remain in Afghanistan and 5,000 in Iraq.

He leaves office in January with the US military also fighting in Yemen, Syria, Somalia and Libya. The brutal civil war in Syria shows no signs of ebbing.

But Obama promised that though he wouldn't be addressing them again as President, he wanted to convey that as a private citizen, 'my gratitude to you will remain'. He said his wife felt the same way.

'Our commitment to standing by you every step of the way - that won't stop,' he said.

The speech came the same day that the Obamas unveiled their official holiday photograph in a tweet, as they enjoyed their annual holiday in Obama's home state of Hawaii.

Snapped: The President is spreading the holiday cheer with a message of love on Twitter

The use of a candid image of the Obamas - taken back in March during the State Dinner for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - was a break from tradition.

Michelle Obama shines in Jason Wu while President Obama looks dapper in a tuxedo with his arms wrapped around his wife and two daughters in elegant Naeem Khan gowns.

The classy event is a world away from the Obama's Christmas in Hawaii, where they spent their final Christmas as the First Family alternately goofing around on the island and performing their last acts of service for the American people.

On Christmas Eve, the president and his two daughters enjoyed shaved ice at Island Snow in Kailua before tackling an escape room together.

Meanwhile, Michelle Obama joined military personnel by answering phone calls and emails as part of the annual the NORAD Tracks Santa program.

While many would love to receive a Christmas Eve phone call from the first lady, a little boy named Austin really just wanted to speak to Santa.

Ice time: The first family are enjoying their holiday in Hawaii. Obama was seen eating a shaved ice while chatting with Malia on Christmas Eve (above)

Answering the call: The first lady joined military personnel by answering phone calls and emails as part of the annual the NORAD Tracks Santa program on Christmas Eve

I want to hear Santa talk,' said Austin, one of a handful of kids who called the NORAD Tracks Santa program on Saturday and found Michelle Obama on the other end of the line.

The first lady spent roughly a half-hour talking with kids. In a transcript of the calls released by the White House, she told callers that Santa was flying over Malta, Sardinia and Hungary.

The President ended the day by making Christmas Eve calls to US Troops stationed overseas.