Stories

“Physical fitness is my hobby,” said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Bell. “It’s something I take great enthusiasm in. It’s my equivalent to how some people like to play video games, or others who like going fishing or riding motorcycles, but physical training is what I like to do.” Bell is a native of Atlanta and a helicopter mechanic with Headquarters Co., I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Serna/Released) - “Physical fitness is my hobby,” said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Bell. “It’s something I take great enthusiasm in. It’s my equivalent to how some people like to play video games, or others who like going fishing or riding motorcycles, but physical training is what I like to do.” Bell is a native of Atlanta and a helicopter mechanic with Headquarters Co., I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Serna/Released)

A Joint Fire Observer watches the impact of an 81 mm mortar round to forward corrections needed to accurately hit a target during training on the hillsides of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 13, 2016. The JFOs work hand-in-hand with the Joint Tactical Attack Controllers to accurately and effectively strike targets with either artillery or aircraft. The Marines are with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero/ Released) - A Joint Fire Observer watches the impact of an 81 mm mortar round to forward corrections needed to accurately hit a target during training on the hillsides of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 13, 2016. The JFOs work hand-in-hand with the Joint Tactical Attack Controllers to accurately and effectively strike targets with either artillery or aircraft. The Marines are with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero/ Released)

Marines and Sailors practice clearing rooms and detaining non-combatants as a part of the Raid Leaders Course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 12, 2016. While the course emphasizes combat marksmanship fundamentals, Marines must be able to identify and properly handle non-combatants in urban military operations. The Marines participating in the training course are with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Corps Regiment. The Raid Leaders Course is run by Expeditionary Operations Training Group, I Marine Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines and Sailors practice clearing rooms and detaining non-combatants as a part of the Raid Leaders Course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 12, 2016. While the course emphasizes combat marksmanship fundamentals, Marines must be able to identify and properly handle non-combatants in urban military operations. The Marines participating in the training course are with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Corps Regiment. The Raid Leaders Course is run by Expeditionary Operations Training Group, I Marine Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Navy Lieutenant Commander Aaron Kleinman presents a class titled “How to Succeed at Intimate Relationships” at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 12, 2016. The class was part of the iRelate program designed to encourage healthier relationships, decrease divorce rates and improve unit readiness by allowing Marines to make informed decisions about relationships. Kleinman, from Norfolk, Va., is the chaplain for Assault Amphibian School Battalion, School of Infantry – West. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel) - Navy Lieutenant Commander Aaron Kleinman presents a class titled “How to Succeed at Intimate Relationships” at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 12, 2016. The class was part of the iRelate program designed to encourage healthier relationships, decrease divorce rates and improve unit readiness by allowing Marines to make informed decisions about relationships. Kleinman, from Norfolk, Va., is the chaplain for Assault Amphibian School Battalion, School of Infantry – West. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel)

Sgt. Nick Kimmel surveys the kitchen of his new Smart Home after his dedication ceremony organized by the Gary Sinise Foundation takes place Jan. 6, in Fallbrook, Calif. With the support of multiple foundations, programs and contractors, Kimmel was presented a “Smart Home” that provides comfort, security, energy efficiency and convenience to the home owner by being accessible via mobile devices such as computers, phones and tablets. Kimmel, a native of Moses Lake, Wash., was a combat engineer with 9th Engineer Support Battalion in Okinawa, Japan. On Dec. 1, 2011, during Kimmel’s deployment in Afghanistan, he jumped from a forklift onto a 40-pound Improvised Explosive Device, losing both legs and his left arm. (Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss/Released) - Sgt. Nick Kimmel surveys the kitchen of his new Smart Home after his dedication ceremony organized by the Gary Sinise Foundation takes place Jan. 6, in Fallbrook, Calif. With the support of multiple foundations, programs and contractors, Kimmel was presented a “Smart Home” that provides comfort, security, energy efficiency and convenience to the home owner by being accessible via mobile devices such as computers, phones and tablets. Kimmel, a native of Moses Lake, Wash., was a combat engineer with 9th Engineer Support Battalion in Okinawa, Japan. On Dec. 1, 2011, during Kimmel’s deployment in Afghanistan, he jumped from a forklift onto a 40-pound Improvised Explosive Device, losing both legs and his left arm. (Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss/Released)

Members of the Royal Danish Army, attached to Task Force Al Asad, instruct Iraqi Security Forces in the proper way to apply a tourniquet during a combat life saver course at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2015. The task force has trained approximately 2,700 Iraqi soldiers with the 7th Iraqi Army Division through the building partner capacity program. By enabling Iraqi Security Forces through advise and assist, and building partner capacity missions, the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve’s multinational coalition is helping the Government of Iraq to set the conditions to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. - Members of the Royal Danish Army, attached to Task Force Al Asad, instruct Iraqi Security Forces in the proper way to apply a tourniquet during a combat life saver course at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2015. The task force has trained approximately 2,700 Iraqi soldiers with the 7th Iraqi Army Division through the building partner capacity program. By enabling Iraqi Security Forces through advise and assist, and building partner capacity missions, the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve’s multinational coalition is helping the Government of Iraq to set the conditions to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

U.S. Navy and Army medical personnel prepare to load a simulated casualty onto a UH-60 “Black Hawk” helicopter during a mass casualty exercise at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Dec. 23, 2015. Canadian forces, U.S. Air Force and Army medical personnel, along with U.S. Marines and Navy corpsmen with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, participated in the joint exercise to hone the coalition’s medical response capabilities. SPMAGTF-CR-CC is currently deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility with a mission spanning 20 nations. - U.S. Navy and Army medical personnel prepare to load a simulated casualty onto a UH-60 “Black Hawk” helicopter during a mass casualty exercise at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Dec. 23, 2015. Canadian forces, U.S. Air Force and Army medical personnel, along with U.S. Marines and Navy corpsmen with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, participated in the joint exercise to hone the coalition’s medical response capabilities. SPMAGTF-CR-CC is currently deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility with a mission spanning 20 nations.

Marines collect toys and donations for the Toys for Tots program throughout Southern California, Dec. 18, 2015. This group of Marines collected 700 gifts, 600 bicycles, and more than $1,000 in donations for children over the holidays. The Marines are with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss) - Marines collect toys and donations for the Toys for Tots program throughout Southern California, Dec. 18, 2015. This group of Marines collected 700 gifts, 600 bicycles, and more than $1,000 in donations for children over the holidays. The Marines are with 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss)

Marines rush a simulated combat town during the mechanized assault portion of a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 9, 2015. The purpose of a MCCRE is to evaluate Marines’ collective performance in specific mission requirements that will prepare them for their upcoming deployment rotation. The Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Devan K. Gowans) - Marines rush a simulated combat town during the mechanized assault portion of a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 9, 2015. The purpose of a MCCRE is to evaluate Marines’ collective performance in specific mission requirements that will prepare them for their upcoming deployment rotation. The Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Devan K. Gowans)

Marines run through the obstruction of smoke during the company supported, live-fire assault portion of a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 6, 2015. The purpose of a MCCRE is to evaluate Marines’ collective performance in specific mission requirements that will prepare them for their upcoming deployment rotation. The Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Devan K. Gowans) - Marines run through the obstruction of smoke during the company supported, live-fire assault portion of a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 6, 2015. The purpose of a MCCRE is to evaluate Marines’ collective performance in specific mission requirements that will prepare them for their upcoming deployment rotation. The Marines are with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Devan K. Gowans)