Stories

Corporal Dalton Kirkey from Lansing, Mich., a financial resource management analyst with I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, does pull-ups while wearing a weighted vest outside the comptroller office aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 4, 2014. Due to his exemplary character, hard work and dedication Kirkey was meritoriously promoted to corporal on June 2, 2014. - Corporal Dalton Kirkey from Lansing, Mich., a financial resource management analyst with I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, does pull-ups while wearing a weighted vest outside the comptroller office aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 4, 2014. Due to his exemplary character, hard work and dedication Kirkey was meritoriously promoted to corporal on June 2, 2014.

Lance Cpl. Cody Kelley, machine gunner, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and a native of Midway, Utah, patrols with an M240B medium machine gun during a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 15, 2014. The company operated in Larr Village for two days to establish a presence and to disrupt enemy fighters. Throughout the mission the infantrymen conducted several patrols within the village and discovered hazardous materials which could be used to create improvised explosive devices. - Lance Cpl. Cody Kelley, machine gunner, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and a native of Midway, Utah, patrols with an M240B medium machine gun during a mission in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 15, 2014. The company operated in Larr Village for two days to establish a presence and to disrupt enemy fighters. Throughout the mission the infantrymen conducted several patrols within the village and discovered hazardous materials which could be used to create improvised explosive devices.

Lieutenant Gen. John A. Toolan, right, commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force, rides his motorcycle along Interstate 15 toward Murrieta Calif., May 29, 2014. Nearly 20 Marines participated in the company-sponsored motorcycle ride in an effort to build camaraderie and promote safe motorcycle riding techniques. - Lieutenant Gen. John A. Toolan, right, commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force, rides his motorcycle along Interstate 15 toward Murrieta Calif., May 29, 2014. Nearly 20 Marines participated in the company-sponsored motorcycle ride in an effort to build camaraderie and promote safe motorcycle riding techniques.

Service members with Regional Command (Southwest) stand at attention during a Memorial Day ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, May 26, 2014. During the ceremony, RC(SW) Commander Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo spoke about the importance of the day and service members observed a moment of silence to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Ostroska/ Released) - Service members with Regional Command (Southwest) stand at attention during a Memorial Day ceremony aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, May 26, 2014. During the ceremony, RC(SW) Commander Brig. Gen. Daniel D. Yoo spoke about the importance of the day and service members observed a moment of silence to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jessica Ostroska/ Released)

Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Morris, a native of Harrington, Washington, provides medical treatment to a local Afghan elder during a security patrol near the town of Boldak in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 21, 2014. Morris, a corpsman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and the Marines and sailors of the unit conduct daily patrols in order to maintain trust and communication with the local Afghan population. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Dye/Released) - Petty Officer 2nd Class Seth Morris, a native of Harrington, Washington, provides medical treatment to a local Afghan elder during a security patrol near the town of Boldak in Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 21, 2014. Morris, a corpsman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, and the Marines and sailors of the unit conduct daily patrols in order to maintain trust and communication with the local Afghan population. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Dye/Released)

A Corpsman waits to be evaluated by instructors during a hemorrhage control practical exercise, May 23, 2014. Marine Corps and Navy instructors from FMTB taught students the basics of hemorrhage control aboard Camp Pendleton, California. - A Corpsman waits to be evaluated by instructors during a hemorrhage control practical exercise, May 23, 2014. Marine Corps and Navy instructors from FMTB taught students the basics of hemorrhage control aboard Camp Pendleton, California.

Soldiers with the Danish Contingent stand in formation during their end of mission ceremony aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 20, 2014. This year marked the 17th rotation and final deployment to Afghanistan for DANCON. Since their first mission began, more than 18,000 Danish soldiers have deployed to the country. - Soldiers with the Danish Contingent stand in formation during their end of mission ceremony aboard Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 20, 2014. This year marked the 17th rotation and final deployment to Afghanistan for DANCON. Since their first mission began, more than 18,000 Danish soldiers have deployed to the country.

Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, patrol through a bazaar in Gereshk, Afghanistan, during a mission in Helmand province, May 12, 2014. The company disrupted Taliban fighters to aid in the retrograde of Sturga II, a British base northeast of Lashkar Gah. The battalion has conducted dozens of missions since they assumed their battlespace March 15, but this was their first combat engagement with insurgents since their arrival in country. - Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, patrol through a bazaar in Gereshk, Afghanistan, during a mission in Helmand province, May 12, 2014. The company disrupted Taliban fighters to aid in the retrograde of Sturga II, a British base northeast of Lashkar Gah. The battalion has conducted dozens of missions since they assumed their battlespace March 15, but this was their first combat engagement with insurgents since their arrival in country.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, dig in and prepare a battalion-level defense during Exercise Desert Scimitar aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 12, 2014. Desert Scimitar is an annual combined-arms exercise to ensure I Marine Expeditionary Force is prepared to face any crisis worldwide. - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, dig in and prepare a battalion-level defense during Exercise Desert Scimitar aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 12, 2014. Desert Scimitar is an annual combined-arms exercise to ensure I Marine Expeditionary Force is prepared to face any crisis worldwide.

Lieutenant Col. Jan R. Durham, former commanding officer, 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, greets Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force after a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 23, 2014. During the ceremony, Durham relinquished command of 1st LEB to Lt. Col. Daron M. Mizell. - Lieutenant Col. Jan R. Durham, former commanding officer, 1st Law Enforcement Battalion, greets Lt. Gen. John A. Toolan, commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force after a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 23, 2014. During the ceremony, Durham relinquished command of 1st LEB to Lt. Col. Daron M. Mizell.