Stories

Sergeant Major William T. Sowers receives a Marine non-commissioned officer’s sword as he takes over the role of 1st Marine Division Sergeant Major during a relief and appointment ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 12, 2015. Sowers most recently served as the sergeant major for the Marine Corps Training and Education Command in Quantico, Va. - Sergeant Major William T. Sowers receives a Marine non-commissioned officer’s sword as he takes over the role of 1st Marine Division Sergeant Major during a relief and appointment ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 12, 2015. Sowers most recently served as the sergeant major for the Marine Corps Training and Education Command in Quantico, Va.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus speaks at a Navy Cross Presentation Ceremony in honor of the late Sgt. Rafael Peralta, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 8, 2015. Sgt. Rafael Peralta was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously after sacrificing his life by absorbing the blast of an enemy grenade and shielding fellow Marines only feet away while serving with Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division in Fallujah, Al Anbar province, Iraq, on Nov. 15, 2004. - Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus speaks at a Navy Cross Presentation Ceremony in honor of the late Sgt. Rafael Peralta, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 8, 2015. Sgt. Rafael Peralta was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously after sacrificing his life by absorbing the blast of an enemy grenade and shielding fellow Marines only feet away while serving with Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division in Fallujah, Al Anbar province, Iraq, on Nov. 15, 2004.

A Marine with 1st Marine Division, 7th Marine Regiment participates in stalking training aboard Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 27, 2015. The training was the last event during Division School’s 6-week-long Pre-Scout Sniper Course. (Photo by LCpl. Danielle Rodrigues/Released) - A Marine with 1st Marine Division, 7th Marine Regiment participates in stalking training aboard Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, Calif., May 27, 2015. The training was the last event during Division School’s 6-week-long Pre-Scout Sniper Course. (Photo by LCpl. Danielle Rodrigues/Released)

Corporals Augusto R. Carlin and Deneaga D. McMillian, supply Marines with Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, take a moment during Exercise Desert Scimitar 2015 to take a photo before both Marines return home as the exercise comes to a close aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., April 15, 2015 . Carlin was inspired to join the military by his grandfather, George Carlin, who was a general in the Peruvian army. Although he was originally inspired to join the military by his family, he never anticipated the family he would find in the Marine Corps. - Corporals Augusto R. Carlin and Deneaga D. McMillian, supply Marines with Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, take a moment during Exercise Desert Scimitar 2015 to take a photo before both Marines return home as the exercise comes to a close aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., April 15, 2015 . Carlin was inspired to join the military by his grandfather, George Carlin, who was a general in the Peruvian army. Although he was originally inspired to join the military by his family, he never anticipated the family he would find in the Marine Corps.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment clear a building in a simulated combat town during the culminating event of Division School’s Urban Leaders Course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 22, 2015. The three-week course is designed to prepare Marines to lead in an urban environment. - Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment clear a building in a simulated combat town during the culminating event of Division School’s Urban Leaders Course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 22, 2015. The three-week course is designed to prepare Marines to lead in an urban environment.

Clockwise from top left, 1st Lieutenant John Neail, tank commander, Cpl. Christian Bills, gunner, Lance Cpl. Robert Benaridez driver, Lance Cpl. Patrick Bellinger, loader, the crew for the M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank named “Star Lord” participated in Desert Scimitar aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Desert Scimitar enables 1st Marine Division to test and refine its command and control capabilities and ensures 1st Marine Division units remain committed to consistently improving the quality of their training efforts and their resultant warfighting capabilities. - Clockwise from top left, 1st Lieutenant John Neail, tank commander, Cpl. Christian Bills, gunner, Lance Cpl. Robert Benaridez driver, Lance Cpl. Patrick Bellinger, loader, the crew for the M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank named “Star Lord” participated in Desert Scimitar aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Desert Scimitar enables 1st Marine Division to test and refine its command and control capabilities and ensures 1st Marine Division units remain committed to consistently improving the quality of their training efforts and their resultant warfighting capabilities.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Wilson, a hospital corpsman with Truck Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, supported Exercise Steel Knight 2015 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Wilson has worked with Navy units and Marine units, caring diligently for service members during field exercises like Steel Knight, back at the barracks of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and while deployed. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focuses on conventional operations and provides realistic training that prepares Marine for overseas operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released) - Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Wilson, a hospital corpsman with Truck Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, supported Exercise Steel Knight 2015 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Wilson has worked with Navy units and Marine units, caring diligently for service members during field exercises like Steel Knight, back at the barracks of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and while deployed. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focuses on conventional operations and provides realistic training that prepares Marine for overseas operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released)

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.