Lieutenant Col. Gilbert D. Juarez (left), past commanding officer for 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt. Col. Christian M. Rankin (middle), present commanding officer for 1st LAR, 1st Marine Division, I MEF, and retired Lt. Col. Clifford O. Meyers (right), a former commanding officer for 1st LAR, 1st Marine Division, I MEF, stand at attention during the pass in review portion of a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 19, 2014. It is a tradition to invite former commanding officers to join the off-going and on-coming commanders during the pass and review. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anna Albrecht) - Lieutenant Col. Gilbert D. Juarez (left), past commanding officer for 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Lt. Col. Christian M. Rankin (middle), present commanding officer for 1st LAR, 1st Marine Division, I MEF, and retired Lt. Col. Clifford O. Meyers (right), a former commanding officer for 1st LAR, 1st Marine Division, I MEF, stand at attention during the pass in review portion of a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 19, 2014. It is a tradition to invite former commanding officers to join the off-going and on-coming commanders during the pass and review. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anna Albrecht)
Marines from 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, stand together after the completion of the 16th annual City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day half Marathon, 10k and 5k May 26, 2014. The race honored those who are currently serving, those who have served and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The event also raised awareness and support from the local community for 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, or "Dark Horse Battalion," with a portion of the event proceeds going to the battalion's support committee. - Marines from 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, stand together after the completion of the 16th annual City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day half Marathon, 10k and 5k May 26, 2014. The race honored those who are currently serving, those who have served and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The event also raised awareness and support from the local community for 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, or "Dark Horse Battalion," with a portion of the event proceeds going to the battalion's support committee.
Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Tank Battalion, put their M1A1 abrams main battle tank into a defensive position during Exercise Desert Scimitar aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 11, 2014. The training gave the Marines the opportunity to refine and rehearse essential combat skills needed in a battlefield environment. Desert Scimitar is an annual exercise that includes elements from the I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focused on conventional operations and provided realistic training that prepared Marines for overseas operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released) - Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Tank Battalion, put their M1A1 abrams main battle tank into a defensive position during Exercise Desert Scimitar aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 11, 2014. The training gave the Marines the opportunity to refine and rehearse essential combat skills needed in a battlefield environment. Desert Scimitar is an annual exercise that includes elements from the I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focused on conventional operations and provided realistic training that prepared Marines for overseas operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released)
Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Wagner, left, a hospital corpsman with Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, monitors Lance Cpl. Aaron Brown, a motor transport operator with the battalion, during a physical therapy session at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 14, 2014. Wagner routinely improvises medical treatment while in the field. He understands the work tempo of the Marines requires the battalion aid station to be creative when continuing treatment for their patients. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Wagner, left, a hospital corpsman with Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, monitors Lance Cpl. Aaron Brown, a motor transport operator with the battalion, during a physical therapy session at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 14, 2014. Wagner routinely improvises medical treatment while in the field. He understands the work tempo of the Marines requires the battalion aid station to be creative when continuing treatment for their patients.
Marines with Fox Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, fire artillery rounds during Exercise Desert Scimitar at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 6, 2014. Desert Scimitar is a two-week, combined-element exercise to prepare Marines for future deployments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashton Buckingham) - Marines with Fox Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, fire artillery rounds during Exercise Desert Scimitar at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 6, 2014. Desert Scimitar is a two-week, combined-element exercise to prepare Marines for future deployments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashton Buckingham)
Sgt. Garrett Mellor, a gunner with Delta Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, scouts targets for a call for fire during Exercise Desert Scimitar aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 13, 2014. Mellor, from Arlington, Texas, operates a M242 25mm cannon, an M240B machine gun and two 4-barrel smoke grenade launchers. - Sgt. Garrett Mellor, a gunner with Delta Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, scouts targets for a call for fire during Exercise Desert Scimitar aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 13, 2014. Mellor, from Arlington, Texas, operates a M242 25mm cannon, an M240B machine gun and two 4-barrel smoke grenade launchers.
Marines with Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conduct a security patrol during Exercise Desert Scimitar at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 12, 2014. It is not uncommon for Marines from different jobs to be called upon to maintain security during field training. 1st Marine Division acts as the headquarters element of I Marine Expeditionary Force during the exercise. - Marines with Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conduct a security patrol during Exercise Desert Scimitar at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 12, 2014. It is not uncommon for Marines from different jobs to be called upon to maintain security during field training. 1st Marine Division acts as the headquarters element of I Marine Expeditionary Force during the exercise.
Ryan Forbes, a 13 year-old native of San Diego, was an honorary Marine for a day with service members of Lima Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms May 13, 2014. Forbes, accompanied by his parents and brother, attended training with the battery, participating in drills and eating lunch with a section. Forbes has wanted to join the military for several years and spends time learning about the different branches. He was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer in January. His diagnosis and current treatment for medullablastoma hasnt hampered his enthusiasm for the military. - Ryan Forbes, a 13 year-old native of San Diego, was an honorary Marine for a day with service members of Lima Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms May 13, 2014. Forbes, accompanied by his parents and brother, attended training with the battery, participating in drills and eating lunch with a section. Forbes has wanted to join the military for several years and spends time learning about the different branches. He was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer in January. His diagnosis and current treatment for medullablastoma hasnt hampered his enthusiasm for the military.
Motor transportation Marines with 1st Marine Division display their 2013 Marine Corps Motor Transportation Association’s awards after an award ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 30, 2014. Four Marines within the division earned individual awards and Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, earned the 2013 Motor Transportation Unit of the Year award. - Motor transportation Marines with 1st Marine Division display their 2013 Marine Corps Motor Transportation Association’s awards after an award ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 30, 2014. Four Marines within the division earned individual awards and Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, earned the 2013 Motor Transportation Unit of the Year award.