Stories

U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Charles Vozenilek, a logistics officer with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, poses in front of tactical vehicles on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 30, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Charles Vozenilek, a logistics officer with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, poses in front of tactical vehicles on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 30, 2025. Vozenilek was diagnosed with cancer on Nov. 21, 2022, and commissioned into the Marine Corps on May 4, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Desiree Ruiz)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Juan Ipialesparedes, an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, poses for a photo on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 6, 2026. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Juan Ipialesparedes, an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Service Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, poses for a photo on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 6, 2026. Ipialesparedes, a native of Quito, Ecuador, previously served 11 years as a special operator in the Ecuadorian Marines before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 33 and earning U.S. citizenship during recruit training. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alan Gomez)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Patrick Pluas, left, the commanding officer of Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Lt. Gen. Christian F. Wortman, center, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Sgt. Maj. Hector Rivera, right, the senior enlisted advisor of CLR-1, 1st MLG, pose for a photo during an award ceremony for Operation Clean Sweep III on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 7, 2026. - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Patrick Pluas, left, the commanding officer of Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, Lt. Gen. Christian F. Wortman, center, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Sgt. Maj. Hector Rivera, right, the senior enlisted advisor of CLR-1, 1st MLG, pose for a photo during an award ceremony for Operation Clean Sweep III on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Jan. 7, 2026. CLR-1 was recognized as the most improved unit during OCS III, sustaining and demonstrating increased discipline showing measurable improvements throughout the operation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alan Gomez)

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Carey Cash, U.S. Navy Deputy Chief of Chaplains and Chaplain of the U.S. Marine Corps, addresses Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Jan. 7, 2026. - U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Carey Cash, U.S. Navy Deputy Chief of Chaplains and Chaplain of the U.S. Marine Corps, addresses Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Jan. 7, 2026. The purpose of Cash’s visit was to engage with Marines and Sailors from across Miramar to speak about the role of spiritual fitness in enhancing overall wellness and mission readiness. This focus on spiritual strength is a key component of military life, as it equips service members with the resilience and core values necessary to navigate the unique challenges of their profession. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Renee Gray)

The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy participate in the Marine Corps 250th Birthday Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 18, 2025. - The U.S. Marine Corps and Navy participate in the Marine Corps 250th Birthday Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 18, 2025. The 250th Amphibious Capabilities Demonstration at Camp Pendleton marks the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday and America’s Semiquincentennial. The live-fire event highlights the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to integrate across air, land, and sea, showcasing the Corps’ enduring role as America’s force in-readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joshua Bustamante)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joseph Newman, a rifleman with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is congratulated by his peers during a promotion ceremony in the well deck of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27), in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 7, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joseph Newman, a rifleman with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is congratulated by his peers during a promotion ceremony in the well deck of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27), in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 7, 2025. The 11th MEU is currently underway aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations conducting integrated training that enhances lethality and warfighting readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Luke Rodriguez)

U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, stand ready to operate a Forward Arming and Refueling Point during the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center’s joint training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 28, 2025. - U.S. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, stand ready to operate a Forward Arming and Refueling Point during the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center’s joint training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Oct. 28, 2025. During the training, Marines with MWSS-372 assisted Sailors with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 40, and Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron 40 in establishing a FARP. NAWDC 25.3 serves as the cornerstone of naval aviation’s combat readiness—where warfighters refine their skills to enhance lethality, effectiveness, and mission success in high-threat environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jackson Rush)

A U.S. Marine assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, donates blood at Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, Philippines, Nov. 14, 2025 as part of a life-saving blood drive during foreign disaster relief operations ongoing in the Catanduanes region. - A U.S. Marine assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, donates blood at Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, Philippines, Nov. 14, 2025 as part of a life-saving blood drive during foreign disaster relief operations ongoing in the Catanduanes region. The blood drive was coordinated by the 15th MEU with the Philippines Department of Pathology and Laboratories and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center to collect fresh blood from Marines and Sailors to support Philippine citizens affected by Typhoons Kalmaegi (Tino) and Fung-Wong (Uwan), which caused extensive damage and tragic loss of life. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the U.S. military is working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide foreign disaster relief support to communities affected by consecutive Typhoons Kalmaegi (Tino) and Fung-Wong (Uwan), which caused extensive damage and tragic loss of life. The forward presence and ready posture of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in the region facilitates rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to allies and partners during times of need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Nicholas A. Cox)

Philippine Air Force Airman 2nd Class Renz Dumanan, center, a supply specialist assigned to Tactical Operations Group 5, is joined by U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, as they offload hundreds of family food packs in support of foreign disaster relief operations at Virac, Philippines, Nov. 15, 2025. - Philippine Air Force Airman 2nd Class Renz Dumanan, center, a supply specialist assigned to Tactical Operations Group 5, is joined by U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, as they offload hundreds of family food packs in support of foreign disaster relief operations at Virac, Philippines, Nov. 15, 2025. At the request of the Government of the Philippines, the U.S. military is working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines to provide foreign disaster relief support to communities affected by consecutive Typhoons Kalmaegi (Tino) and Fung-Wong (Uwan), which caused extensive damage and tragic loss of life. The forward presence and ready posture of United States Indo-Pacific Command in the region facilitates rapid and effective response to crisis, demonstrating the U.S.’s commitment to Allies and partners during times of need. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Luis Agostini)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hayden Lester, a helicopter mechanic with Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and the non-commissioned officer in charge of the 24 Area Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, poses for a portrait at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oct. 7, 2025. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hayden Lester, a helicopter mechanic with Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and the non-commissioned officer in charge of the 24 Area Bachelor Enlisted Quarters, poses for a portrait at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Oct. 7, 2025. As a barracks manager, Lester is responsible for overseeing barracks maintenance and repairs, as well as ensuring clean and secure living spaces for Marines residing in the BEQ. Lester is a native of Mississippi. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mary R. Jenni)