Stories

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)

Kaden Jeide (left) and Cpl. Matthew Franzoni, pose for a picture after spending the night shopping for Christmas presents as part of a “holiday with Heroes” event held in Poway, California, December 10. During the city-funded event, children purchased presents for their families and friends, took holiday photos with Santa, built arts and crafts, and participated in other events throughout the Night. (USMC photo by Cpl. Jonathan Boynes) - Kaden Jeide (left) and Cpl. Matthew Franzoni, pose for a picture after spending the night shopping for Christmas presents as part of a “holiday with Heroes” event held in Poway, California, December 10. During the city-funded event, children purchased presents for their families and friends, took holiday photos with Santa, built arts and crafts, and participated in other events throughout the Night. (USMC photo by Cpl. Jonathan Boynes)

Marines assigned to the Urban Leaders Course at 1st Marine Division Schools, I Marine Expeditionary Force, clear a hallway during a live-fire training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 25, 2015. The class teaches fire team and squad leaders skills and tactics to be successful in urban environments, which they can share with the Marines they lead and the leadership of their entire unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel) - Marines assigned to the Urban Leaders Course at 1st Marine Division Schools, I Marine Expeditionary Force, clear a hallway during a live-fire training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 25, 2015. The class teaches fire team and squad leaders skills and tactics to be successful in urban environments, which they can share with the Marines they lead and the leadership of their entire unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel)

Pfc. Jonathan Linares, a gunner with Battery F, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, stands ready for the next fire mission of his team’s M777 howitzer aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 23, 2015. Processing fire missions is one of the most important forms of training for an artillery team. (U.S. Marine photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss/Released) - Pfc. Jonathan Linares, a gunner with Battery F, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, stands ready for the next fire mission of his team’s M777 howitzer aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 23, 2015. Processing fire missions is one of the most important forms of training for an artillery team. (U.S. Marine photo by Pvt. Robert Bliss/Released)

Marines with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, fire antipersonnel obstacle breaching systems during Exercise Pioneer Express at Camp Roberts, Calif., Sept. 8, 2015. The exercise prepares Marines to successfully execute expeditionary operations by refining command and control methods, reconnaissance, mobility, counter-mobility and survivability operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel) - Marines with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, fire antipersonnel obstacle breaching systems during Exercise Pioneer Express at Camp Roberts, Calif., Sept. 8, 2015. The exercise prepares Marines to successfully execute expeditionary operations by refining command and control methods, reconnaissance, mobility, counter-mobility and survivability operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel)

Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct unknown distance shooting during the Pre-Scout Sniper Course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 17, 2015. The six-week long course is designed to prepare and screen students for the follow-on training at Scout Sniper Basic School. (Photo by LCpl. Danielle Rodrigues/Released) - Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct unknown distance shooting during the Pre-Scout Sniper Course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 17, 2015. The six-week long course is designed to prepare and screen students for the follow-on training at Scout Sniper Basic School. (Photo by LCpl. Danielle Rodrigues/Released)

Lance Cpl. Ali J. Mohammed poses for a photo with a Humvee aboard Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq, July 4, 2015. Mohammed is originally from Baghdad and is now serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a supply Marine. He is currently deployed as an Arabic interpreter for Task Force Al Taqaddum. - Lance Cpl. Ali J. Mohammed poses for a photo with a Humvee aboard Al Taqaddum Air Base, Iraq, July 4, 2015. Mohammed is originally from Baghdad and is now serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a supply Marine. He is currently deployed as an Arabic interpreter for Task Force Al Taqaddum.