Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, march on the colors during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 19, 2014. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Gilbert D. Juarez relinquished command of the Highlanders to Lt. Col. Christian M. Rankin. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anna Albrecht) - Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, march on the colors during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 19, 2014. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Gilbert D. Juarez relinquished command of the Highlanders to Lt. Col. Christian M. Rankin. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Anna Albrecht)
Competitors make their way to the half-way point during 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. - Competitors make their way to the half-way point during 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, advance on a mock enemy position in an M1A1 Abrams during Exercise Desert Scimitar 2014 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 11, 2014. A tank's success on the battlefield is defined by the teamwork of its four crewmen, who each play a vital role. The mission cannot be completed without every member. Each crewman has a specific yet equally important job required to operate the vehicle. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released) - Marines with Alpha Company, 1st Tank Battalion, advance on a mock enemy position in an M1A1 Abrams during Exercise Desert Scimitar 2014 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 11, 2014. A tank's success on the battlefield is defined by the teamwork of its four crewmen, who each play a vital role. The mission cannot be completed without every member. Each crewman has a specific yet equally important job required to operate the vehicle. (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.
A Ch-53 super stallion helicopter approaches a M777A2 lightweight howitzer during Exercise Desert Scimitar at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 8 2014. Desert Scimitar is a two-week, combined-element exercise to prepare Marines for deployments. The Ch-53 is able to transport a howitzer quickly to locations that would otherwise be inaccessible. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashton Buckingham) - A Ch-53 super stallion helicopter approaches a M777A2 lightweight howitzer during Exercise Desert Scimitar at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 8 2014. Desert Scimitar is a two-week, combined-element exercise to prepare Marines for deployments. The Ch-53 is able to transport a howitzer quickly to locations that would otherwise be inaccessible. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ashton Buckingham)
Tracer rounds are staged before being fired during Exercise Desert Scimitar, a combined-arms, live-fire exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 14, 2014. Tracer rounds were used during fire drills to ensure that shots were impacting on targets. Other types of rounds include armor piercing, high explosive, and sabot. - Tracer rounds are staged before being fired during Exercise Desert Scimitar, a combined-arms, live-fire exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 14, 2014. Tracer rounds were used during fire drills to ensure that shots were impacting on targets. Other types of rounds include armor piercing, high explosive, and sabot.
Sergeant Joseph Hoffmann, a Marine musician with Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, prepares for a security patrol during Exercise Desert Scimitar at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 12, 2014. The security platoon is comprised of Marines of varying jobs including band members, motor transport operators and data wire technicians. They come together to provide security for 1st Marine Division during the exercise, maintaining an entry control point and conducting patrols around the camp. (U.S. Marine Corps photograph by Sgt. Timothy Lenzo/RELEASED) - Sergeant Joseph Hoffmann, a Marine musician with Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, prepares for a security patrol during Exercise Desert Scimitar at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., May 12, 2014. The security platoon is comprised of Marines of varying jobs including band members, motor transport operators and data wire technicians. They come together to provide security for 1st Marine Division during the exercise, maintaining an entry control point and conducting patrols around the camp. (U.S. Marine Corps photograph by Sgt. Timothy Lenzo/RELEASED)
Ryan Forbes, a 13 year-old native of San Diego, talks with Marines of Lima Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, about the weapon systems and lifestyles of the Marines at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms May 13, 2014. Forbes was an honorary Marine for a day with the battalion. He was accompanied by his parents and brother, and 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, talks with Marines of Lima Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, about the weapon systems and lifestyles of the Marines at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms May 13, 2014. Forbes was an honorary Marine for a day with the battalion. He was accompanied by his parents and brother, and 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.
Major Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, right, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, awards Chief Warrant Officer 2 Paul Klug, left, the motor transport maintenance officer with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, the Marine Corps 2013 Motor Transportation Association’s Maintenance Officer of the Year award during an award ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 30, 2014. Klug, a 40-year-old native of Oshkosh, Mo., earned the award for his leadership which helped the unit maintain a high level of readiness to respond to any crisis. - Major Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, right, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, awards Chief Warrant Officer 2 Paul Klug, left, the motor transport maintenance officer with Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, the Marine Corps 2013 Motor Transportation Association’s Maintenance Officer of the Year award during an award ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 30, 2014. Klug, a 40-year-old native of Oshkosh, Mo., earned the award for his leadership which helped the unit maintain a high level of readiness to respond to any crisis.