Stories

Marines coordinate fires for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during an M142 HIMARS live fire exercise at Camp Pendleton March 16, 2016. During the exercise, Marines coordinated fires based on hypothetical combat situations they might encounter while deployed. The HIMARS rounds are aided by Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and can travel to altitudes up to 75 kilometers and can precisely engage targets up to 40 miles away. The Marines are with Battery S, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines coordinate fires for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System during an M142 HIMARS live fire exercise at Camp Pendleton March 16, 2016. During the exercise, Marines coordinated fires based on hypothetical combat situations they might encounter while deployed. The HIMARS rounds are aided by Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and can travel to altitudes up to 75 kilometers and can precisely engage targets up to 40 miles away. The Marines are with Battery S, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force.

5/11 hones long-range capabilities during field exercise

Marines with Battery S, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, conducted an M142 HIMARS live-fire exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, March 16, 2016. “We are here so the battery can become more proficient as a unit in launcher operations as well as operating as a decentralized

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A Marine with Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion performs rifle drills during a combat marksmanship program led by Expeditionary Operations Training Group March 17, 2016 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. The shooting package helps to better prepare these Marines for an upcoming deployment with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. - A Marine with Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion performs rifle drills during a combat marksmanship program led by Expeditionary Operations Training Group March 17, 2016 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. The shooting package helps to better prepare these Marines for an upcoming deployment with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Recon Marines conduct shooting package to prepare for 11th MEU

Marines stood on-line and performed pistol drills as an instructor yelled the importance of performing weapon fundamentals properly.Marines with Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conducted a combat marksmanship program led by Expeditionary Operations Training Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, March 17, 2016, at Marine

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Marines execute a rehearsal of concept drill during combat marksmanship training at Camp Pendleton March 2, 2016. The training was part of the Urban Leaders Course taught by 1st Marine Division Schools. The course focuses on enhancing small unit leadership through integrated training and implementation of fire teams and squad-sized elements in an urban setting. Marines participating in the training are from various units on Camp Pendleton. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released) - Marines execute a rehearsal of concept drill during combat marksmanship training at Camp Pendleton March 2, 2016. The training was part of the Urban Leaders Course taught by 1st Marine Division Schools. The course focuses on enhancing small unit leadership through integrated training and implementation of fire teams and squad-sized elements in an urban setting. Marines participating in the training are from various units on Camp Pendleton. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released)

Steel sharpens steel: Marines learn from firsthand combat experiences

Small unit leaders in the infantry are called upon to carry out orders and make decisions on the battlefield, and at times making the seemingly impossible possible. This is because of the rigorous training in their craft and the development of their leadership skills. It’s that dedication that has been a hallmark of the Marine’s ethos since the

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Maj. Gen. Daniel J. O'Donohue presents the Naval Chaplaincy Excellence award to Petty Officer 3rd Class Dawaylon Farr at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 23, 2016. The ceremony recognized Lt. Michael Kennedy and Petty Officer 3rd Class Dawaylon Farr for going above and beyond the call of duty to provide spiritual guidance and renewed faith to Marines and sailors serving I Marine Expeditionary Force. O’Donohue, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, was a guest speaker and presented awards to the recipients. Kennedy is a chaplain with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Mar. Div. Farr is a religious program specialist with 1st Bn., 4th Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss/Released) - Maj. Gen. Daniel J. O'Donohue presents the Naval Chaplaincy Excellence award to Petty Officer 3rd Class Dawaylon Farr at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 23, 2016. The ceremony recognized Lt. Michael Kennedy and Petty Officer 3rd Class Dawaylon Farr for going above and beyond the call of duty to provide spiritual guidance and renewed faith to Marines and sailors serving I Marine Expeditionary Force. O’Donohue, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, was a guest speaker and presented awards to the recipients. Kennedy is a chaplain with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Mar. Div. Farr is a religious program specialist with 1st Bn., 4th Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss/Released)

Awards for the Chaplain Corps

Marines are trained to be mentally tough and physically strong. A third attribute that can be overlooked, but is essential to the well-being of a Marine, is being spiritually sound. The chaplain corps has the distinct mission of providing spiritual and faith-based guidance to sailors and Marines.The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific chaplain corps

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Autonomous Robotic Human Type Targets make their way off of a firing range Feb. 18, at Camp Pendleton. With their GPS and sensors on the front, the targets are able to navigate the range on command and will correct their own paths to avoid obstacles. Marines with Division Schools, 1st Marine Division, are testing this target to see if they can use it to evolve their training by creating more realistic, less predictable scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. John Baker) - Autonomous Robotic Human Type Targets make their way off of a firing range Feb. 18, at Camp Pendleton. With their GPS and sensors on the front, the targets are able to navigate the range on command and will correct their own paths to avoid obstacles. Marines with Division Schools, 1st Marine Division, are testing this target to see if they can use it to evolve their training by creating more realistic, less predictable scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. John Baker)

Enhanced Training Through Target Technology

In a world filled with rapid advancement in technology, the Marine Corps is always looking for new ways to improve training, making it more realistic each step of the way.Marines from Division Schools, 1st Marine Division, tested what could be one of the next big advancements in Marine Corps training at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 18, 2016. Robotic

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Lance Cpl. Faustino J. Camilo prepares to load a M231 primer into the M777 Howitzer cannon during a battery-level fire exercise at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 10, 2016. The battery participated in a fire exercise in preparation for their upcoming deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. This exercise was the first time the battery used the Digital Firing Control System, a computer that shows grid coordinates of targets and accompanying information. This system is important because it provides a faster response time than using iron sights to fire the howitzer. Camilo, from Brunswick, Ga., is an artillery cannoneer with Battery F, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin E. Bowles) - Lance Cpl. Faustino J. Camilo prepares to load a M231 primer into the M777 Howitzer cannon during a battery-level fire exercise at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 10, 2016. The battery participated in a fire exercise in preparation for their upcoming deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. This exercise was the first time the battery used the Digital Firing Control System, a computer that shows grid coordinates of targets and accompanying information. This system is important because it provides a faster response time than using iron sights to fire the howitzer. Camilo, from Brunswick, Ga., is an artillery cannoneer with Battery F, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin E. Bowles)

Fox Battery 2/11 Troubleshoots Digital Firing Control System

A beeping noise emitted from a computer system. “Fire Mission!” exclaimed one of the Marines, warning his peers that they must get ready. The Marines scrambled for their helmets and took their positions around the M777A2 Howitzer.The cannoneer loaded a 155mm round into the weapon system as two Marines took a 10-foot, T-shaped pole to shove the

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Lance Cpl. Scott Bone sweeps for possible IEDs with a compact metal detector during counter-IED training at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 12, 2016. This training is a part of a new Counter-IED Training Class developed by the Marine Corps Engineer School, Defeat the Device Branch, to improve operational readiness. Bone is a combat engineer with Company A, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division. - Lance Cpl. Scott Bone sweeps for possible IEDs with a compact metal detector during counter-IED training at Camp Pendleton, Feb. 12, 2016. This training is a part of a new Counter-IED Training Class developed by the Marine Corps Engineer School, Defeat the Device Branch, to improve operational readiness. Bone is a combat engineer with Company A, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division.

Marine Corps Engineer Schools tests new Counter-IED course

Since the start of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, IEDs have been the primary cause of death or injury to coalition forces operating in the regions. The U.S. military has had to adapt to this ever-evolving threat and constantly seeks out new methods to counter these deadly devices.Keeping with this ideology, Marines with Company A., 1st Combat

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Cpl. Corey Mount is recognized by Lt. Gen. David Berger as the I Marine Expeditionary Force Marine of the Year during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton Feb. 10, 2016. The award recognizes a Marine who exceeds expectations and embodies the spirit and ideals of the Marine Corps. Berger is the I MEF commanding general and Mount, a native of Indianapolis, is an administrative noncommissioned officer with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel) - Cpl. Corey Mount is recognized by Lt. Gen. David Berger as the I Marine Expeditionary Force Marine of the Year during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton Feb. 10, 2016. The award recognizes a Marine who exceeds expectations and embodies the spirit and ideals of the Marine Corps. Berger is the I MEF commanding general and Mount, a native of Indianapolis, is an administrative noncommissioned officer with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel)

Outstanding Marine recognized for setting the example

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The Marine Corps thrives because of skilled leaders who must be individuals both of action and of intellect according to Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 1: Warfighting. The service makes a point to award those Marines who go above and beyond to embody the spirit of the organization.Cpl. Corey Mount, an

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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Lance Cpl. Jeremiah W. Johnson, a rifleman with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, conducts a night raid with his fellow Marines at a mock combat town at Camp Pendleton Feb. 4, 2016. Marines from Golf Co. conducted follow-on exercises with Expeditionary Operations Training Group in preparation for the upcoming deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin E. Bowles) - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Lance Cpl. Jeremiah W. Johnson, a rifleman with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division, conducts a night raid with his fellow Marines at a mock combat town at Camp Pendleton Feb. 4, 2016. Marines from Golf Co. conducted follow-on exercises with Expeditionary Operations Training Group in preparation for the upcoming deployment with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin E. Bowles)

Golf Company 2/4 Conducts Night Raid prior to Deployment

Through the darkness, Marines began storming out of their Assault Amphibious Vehicles just outside of a mock combat town as blank rounds from assault rifles bellowed into the night. Holding their position near their AAVs, the Marines returned suppressing fire as a faint whistling noise wailed in the distance. “Whiteout, whiteout, whiteout,”

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Sgt. Tyler Felts, an LAV crewman, sights in on a target during a live-fire gunnery qualification test with an M240B machine gun at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Jan. 22, 2016. Live-fire tests like these allow the Marines of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force to train for how they will execute their mission when they are deployed in a combat zone. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss) - Sgt. Tyler Felts, an LAV crewman, sights in on a target during a live-fire gunnery qualification test with an M240B machine gun at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Jan. 22, 2016. Live-fire tests like these allow the Marines of 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force to train for how they will execute their mission when they are deployed in a combat zone. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss)

1st LAR trains for real-world combat

The LAV-25, or light armored vehicle, is a versatile, amphibious vehicle in the Marine Corps. Its mission is to provide combined arms reconnaissance and security in support of a ground combat element. From its M242 25mm chain-driven auto cannon, to its top speed of approximately 62 mph, the LAV-25 is a useful addition to the combat capabilities of

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