Stories

Lance Cpl. Nicholas Patterson, data network specialist and information assurance noncommissioned officer in charge for RCT- 7 and Green Bay, Wis., native, is currently on his first deployment to Afghanistan and ensures thousands of computer network users have service throughout Regional Command Southwest. - Lance Cpl. Nicholas Patterson, data network specialist and information assurance noncommissioned officer in charge for RCT- 7 and Green Bay, Wis., native, is currently on his first deployment to Afghanistan and ensures thousands of computer network users have service throughout Regional Command Southwest.

Sergeant Cordero Gonzalez, center, squad leader, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, introduces himself to Afghan National Army Sgt. Gulagh, right, team leader, 1st Tolai, 1st Kandak, 4th Brigade, 215th Corps, before a partnered patrol, Nov. 16, 2012. The partnered patrols allow Marines to mentor and teach the ANA soldiers while working side by side their Afghan counterparts. - Sergeant Cordero Gonzalez, center, squad leader, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, introduces himself to Afghan National Army Sgt. Gulagh, right, team leader, 1st Tolai, 1st Kandak, 4th Brigade, 215th Corps, before a partnered patrol, Nov. 16, 2012. The partnered patrols allow Marines to mentor and teach the ANA soldiers while working side by side their Afghan counterparts.

A local villager guides a ferry across the Helmand River, the easiest mode of transportation across the body of water. With the river cutting off easy access to the Sangin bazaar, a point of main commerce for the area, Operation Golden Gate was christened to change that. The first large operation in Regimental Combat Team 7’s area of responsibility calls for a bridge more than 150 feet long and 24 feet wide to be placed across the river. - A local villager guides a ferry across the Helmand River, the easiest mode of transportation across the body of water. With the river cutting off easy access to the Sangin bazaar, a point of main commerce for the area, Operation Golden Gate was christened to change that. The first large operation in Regimental Combat Team 7’s area of responsibility calls for a bridge more than 150 feet long and 24 feet wide to be placed across the river.

Members of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the World Presidents’ Organization fire weapons in an Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 16, 2012. The YPO and WPO are international associations of business leaders. The members who visited Camp Pendleton are from businesses in the Southern California area. They visited the base to learn how Marines train and to help create a bridge between the private sector and military. - Members of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the World Presidents’ Organization fire weapons in an Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 16, 2012. The YPO and WPO are international associations of business leaders. The members who visited Camp Pendleton are from businesses in the Southern California area. They visited the base to learn how Marines train and to help create a bridge between the private sector and military.

Major Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, Regional Command (Southwest) commanding general, speaks to Marines at Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, Nov.10, 2012. Maj. Gen. Gurganus and RC(SW) Sgt. Maj. Harrison Tanksley spent the 237th Marine Corps birthday traveling to every position in southern Helmand province that had Marines to wish them a happy birthday. - Major Gen. Charles M. Gurganus, Regional Command (Southwest) commanding general, speaks to Marines at Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, Nov.10, 2012. Maj. Gen. Gurganus and RC(SW) Sgt. Maj. Harrison Tanksley spent the 237th Marine Corps birthday traveling to every position in southern Helmand province that had Marines to wish them a happy birthday.

Lieutenant Col. Jeffrey J. Kenney, Afghan security forces officer in charge, Regimental Combat Team 7, is serving his 12th deployment. He has 37 years of experience in the Marine Corps and will be honored Nov. 10, during the cake cutting ceremony, as the oldest Marine in the regiment. - Lieutenant Col. Jeffrey J. Kenney, Afghan security forces officer in charge, Regimental Combat Team 7, is serving his 12th deployment. He has 37 years of experience in the Marine Corps and will be honored Nov. 10, during the cake cutting ceremony, as the oldest Marine in the regiment.

An Eagle, Globe and Anchor represents more than a symbol of the Marine Corps. The eagle represents the United States, the globe means worldwide service and the anchor stands for the Marine Corps’ rich naval traditions. This Eagle, Globe and Anchor was given to me by Staff Sgt. Charles E. Fessler. Fessler graduated from recruit training in 1942 and served four years with 1st Marine Airwing. - An Eagle, Globe and Anchor represents more than a symbol of the Marine Corps. The eagle represents the United States, the globe means worldwide service and the anchor stands for the Marine Corps’ rich naval traditions. This Eagle, Globe and Anchor was given to me by Staff Sgt. Charles E. Fessler. Fessler graduated from recruit training in 1942 and served four years with 1st Marine Airwing.