MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., -- Sergeant Brandon Schroeder, platoon sergeant, Tango Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, and a native of Delta, Colo., maneuvers toward enemy role-players during a training exercise at the Mobile Immersion Trainer here, Nov. 14, 2013. The MIT is similar to the Infantry Immersion Trainer and trains Marines to operate under stressful conditions. Throughout the morning, the battery simulated operating out of a base and posted security while mock insurgents attempted to breach the area and formed riots. The artillerymen later conducted a logistics patrol and recovered a broken vehicle, countered an improvised explosive device and repelled enemy role-players during an ambush. The battery is slated to continue predeployment training before deploying to Afghanistan this winter. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., -- Sergeant Brandon Schroeder, platoon sergeant, Tango Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, and a native of Delta, Colo., maneuvers toward enemy role-players during a training exercise at the Mobile Immersion Trainer here, Nov. 14, 2013. The MIT is similar to the Infantry Immersion Trainer and trains Marines to operate under stressful conditions. Throughout the morning, the battery simulated operating out of a base and posted security while mock insurgents attempted to breach the area and formed riots. The artillerymen later conducted a logistics patrol and recovered a broken vehicle, countered an improvised explosive device and repelled enemy role-players during an ambush. The battery is slated to continue predeployment training before deploying to Afghanistan this winter.
A daughter embraces her father at the homecoming for Bravo Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, here, Nov. 14, 2013. The Marines returned after being away for six months to Okinawa, Japan, as part of the Unit Deployment Program. The company conducted a variety of training, including an officer exchange program with the Japanese military. This allowed Marines to interact with and teach Japanese officers about the Marine Corps’ capabilities. - A daughter embraces her father at the homecoming for Bravo Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, here, Nov. 14, 2013. The Marines returned after being away for six months to Okinawa, Japan, as part of the Unit Deployment Program. The company conducted a variety of training, including an officer exchange program with the Japanese military. This allowed Marines to interact with and teach Japanese officers about the Marine Corps’ capabilities.
Corporal Tristen Arnold, amphibious assault vehicle crewman, Echo Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, and native of New Cumberland, Pa., kisses his girlfriend, Alison Rombach, before his upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan, here, Nov. 12, 2013. Families of the Echo Co. Marines gathered to say goodbye as they left for their six-month deployment. Family day helps the families of Marines get together and support each other while their loved ones are deployed. - Corporal Tristen Arnold, amphibious assault vehicle crewman, Echo Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, and native of New Cumberland, Pa., kisses his girlfriend, Alison Rombach, before his upcoming deployment to Okinawa, Japan, here, Nov. 12, 2013. Families of the Echo Co. Marines gathered to say goodbye as they left for their six-month deployment. Family day helps the families of Marines get together and support each other while their loved ones are deployed.
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., -- Marines with 1st Marine Division stand on line and practice shooting techniques during a combat marksmanship coach course here, Oct. 30, 2013. Graduates of the four-week course gain the military occupational specialty of combat marksmanship coach. The course was recently modified to add the combat pistol program. The CPP is designed to be more combat-oriented than previous programs. The new silhouette targets allow shooters to identify facial features, body structure and if the target is holding a weapon or posing a potential threat. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., -- Marines with 1st Marine Division stand on line and practice shooting techniques during a combat marksmanship coach course here, Oct. 30, 2013. Graduates of the four-week course gain the military occupational specialty of combat marksmanship coach. The course was recently modified to add the combat pistol program. The CPP is designed to be more combat-oriented than previous programs. The new silhouette targets allow shooters to identify facial features, body structure and if the target is holding a weapon or posing a potential threat.
Marines and sailors with Charlie Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, stand at attention while the Marines Hymn plays during the company's deactivation ceremony here, Nov. 1, 2013. Captain Matthew Hohl, Charlie Co. commander, said he believes the company will be reactivated when they are needed and this is just a pause in their history. The Marines with Charlie Company will continue to serve the battalion by integrating into Echo Company. - Marines and sailors with Charlie Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, stand at attention while the Marines Hymn plays during the company's deactivation ceremony here, Nov. 1, 2013. Captain Matthew Hohl, Charlie Co. commander, said he believes the company will be reactivated when they are needed and this is just a pause in their history. The Marines with Charlie Company will continue to serve the battalion by integrating into Echo Company.
Lance Cpl. Raymond T. Wilcox, amphibious assault vehicle driver, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, navigates the AAV during an amphibious landing training exercise in support of well deck operations with the USS Pearl Harbor here, Oct. 24, 2013. The training took place off the coast of Camp Pendleton to train and evaluate the Marines in amphibious operations, wet well procedures and the tactical employment of AAVs in the water and on land. - Lance Cpl. Raymond T. Wilcox, amphibious assault vehicle driver, Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, navigates the AAV during an amphibious landing training exercise in support of well deck operations with the USS Pearl Harbor here, Oct. 24, 2013. The training took place off the coast of Camp Pendleton to train and evaluate the Marines in amphibious operations, wet well procedures and the tactical employment of AAVs in the water and on land.
Lance Cpl. Luis Maganapetrana, crewman, Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and a native of Merced, Calif., throws a practice M67 fragmentation grenade during a live-fire exercise on Range 210F here, Oct. 23, 2013. The Marines fired light anti-armor weapons, M203 grenade launchers and threw live grenades. The exercise is designed to train and evaluate Marines on weapons proficiencies to prepare them for team and squad level live-fire training. - Lance Cpl. Luis Maganapetrana, crewman, Alpha Company, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and a native of Merced, Calif., throws a practice M67 fragmentation grenade during a live-fire exercise on Range 210F here, Oct. 23, 2013. The Marines fired light anti-armor weapons, M203 grenade launchers and threw live grenades. The exercise is designed to train and evaluate Marines on weapons proficiencies to prepare them for team and squad level live-fire training.
Sergeant Ricardo Ramirez, squad leader, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, tapes his cleats in preparation for a football game here, Oct. 21, 2013. Ramirez lost his hand during combat operations while serving with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Feb. 22, 2006. He currently still supports his former battalion while attached to 5th Marines and plays cornerback and special teams on the Fighting Fifth's football team. - Sergeant Ricardo Ramirez, squad leader, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, tapes his cleats in preparation for a football game here, Oct. 21, 2013. Ramirez lost his hand during combat operations while serving with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Feb. 22, 2006. He currently still supports his former battalion while attached to 5th Marines and plays cornerback and special teams on the Fighting Fifth's football team.
Private First Class Alex Garcia, rifleman, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and a native of Modesto, Calif., provides security during an integrated exercise on Range 600 here, Oct. 15, 2013. The training helped Marines see how multiple elements of an attack work together to accomplish a single mission. The Marines attacked mock enemy positions while they were supported by artillery fire. The exercise prepared the Marines for future operations. - Private First Class Alex Garcia, rifleman, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and a native of Modesto, Calif., provides security during an integrated exercise on Range 600 here, Oct. 15, 2013. The training helped Marines see how multiple elements of an attack work together to accomplish a single mission. The Marines attacked mock enemy positions while they were supported by artillery fire. The exercise prepared the Marines for future operations.