A field radio operator assigned to the Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, relays orders to his squad, during a live-fire platoon level assault during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Feb. 9, 2016. Iron Fist is an annual, bi-lateral training exercise between the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and Marines to strengthen warfighting capabilities in ship to shore operations. - A field radio operator assigned to the Western Army Infantry Regiment, Japan Ground Self Defense Force, relays orders to his squad, during a live-fire platoon level assault during Exercise Iron Fist 2016 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Feb. 9, 2016. Iron Fist is an annual, bi-lateral training exercise between the Japan Ground Self Defense Force and Marines to strengthen warfighting capabilities in ship to shore operations.

1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment infantrymen tactically move from building to building in a simulated combat zone during Exercise Steel Knight 2016 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 4, 2015. 1st Marine Division has conducted Steel Knight for the past three years, making this the fourth iteration of the exercise. Steel Knight will test I Marine Expeditionary Force’s amphibious capabilities through realistic, scenario-driven training. - 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment infantrymen tactically move from building to building in a simulated combat zone during Exercise Steel Knight 2016 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 4, 2015. 1st Marine Division has conducted Steel Knight for the past three years, making this the fourth iteration of the exercise. Steel Knight will test I Marine Expeditionary Force’s amphibious capabilities through realistic, scenario-driven training.

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, the ground combat element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, present the colors during a ceremony honoring members of their regiment who gave their lives during the Vietnam War. During the ceremony, plaques bearing the names of the fallen were dedicated in their honor at the Camp Horno Memorial Garden aboard Camp Pendleton. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paris Capers/ Released) - U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, the ground combat element of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, present the colors during a ceremony honoring members of their regiment who gave their lives during the Vietnam War. During the ceremony, plaques bearing the names of the fallen were dedicated in their honor at the Camp Horno Memorial Garden aboard Camp Pendleton. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Paris Capers/ Released)

Lance Cpl. Justin Ezell, a Marine with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, shoots at his target during Special Operations Training Group’s Raid Leaders Course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 9, 2015. The two-week long course focuses on preparing Marines to conduct combat raids. (Photo by LCpl. Danielle Rodrigues/Released) - Lance Cpl. Justin Ezell, a Marine with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, shoots at his target during Special Operations Training Group’s Raid Leaders Course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 9, 2015. The two-week long course focuses on preparing Marines to conduct combat raids. (Photo by LCpl. Danielle Rodrigues/Released)

U.S. Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, rehearse urban operation tactics aboard USS Rushmore at sea in the Pacific Ocean, June 1, 2015. BLT 3/1 constantly trains for the unknown in order to respond to the needs of the MEU while deployed. These drills keep the Marines in a constant state of combat readiness while at sea. - U.S. Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, rehearse urban operation tactics aboard USS Rushmore at sea in the Pacific Ocean, June 1, 2015. BLT 3/1 constantly trains for the unknown in order to respond to the needs of the MEU while deployed. These drills keep the Marines in a constant state of combat readiness while at sea.

U.S. Marine Cpl. Roman Fernandez, right, gets Vaseline applied to his face to compensate for glove friction in the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, May 29, 2015. Fernandez is a team leader with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Marines find unique ways to continue to maintain combat readiness during their seven-month deployment through the Pacific and Central Command areas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Elize McKelvey/released) - U.S. Marine Cpl. Roman Fernandez, right, gets Vaseline applied to his face to compensate for glove friction in the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, May 29, 2015. Fernandez is a team leader with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Marines find unique ways to continue to maintain combat readiness during their seven-month deployment through the Pacific and Central Command areas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Elize McKelvey/released)

Sergeant Michael V. Hall II, a field radio operator with 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, listens to remarks from his commanding officer during his Purple Heart ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 11. Hall sustained wounds in Afghanistan while serving with Georgia Liaison Team 10 in November 2013. - Sergeant Michael V. Hall II, a field radio operator with 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, listens to remarks from his commanding officer during his Purple Heart ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 11. Hall sustained wounds in Afghanistan while serving with Georgia Liaison Team 10 in November 2013.

Marines with 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct urban operations training at the Infantry Immersion Trainer aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 24, 2014. The IIT assists Marines in sharpening their basic combat skills by creating a realistic combat environment. Civilian role players occupy the training town, acting as either innocent bystanders, allied armed forces, law enforcement personnel or enemy insurgents, most of whom don’t speak English when in character. - Marines with 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct urban operations training at the Infantry Immersion Trainer aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 24, 2014. The IIT assists Marines in sharpening their basic combat skills by creating a realistic combat environment. Civilian role players occupy the training town, acting as either innocent bystanders, allied armed forces, law enforcement personnel or enemy insurgents, most of whom don’t speak English when in character.

Sergeant Maj. Reginald Robinson, incoming sergeant major, 1st Marine Regiment, addresses his Marines on the plans for the regiment during a relief and appointment ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 7, 2014. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars. Robinson is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan with the regiment as part of Task Force Belleau Wood and looks forward to being able to lead the regiment on the final deployment to Afghanistan. - Sergeant Maj. Reginald Robinson, incoming sergeant major, 1st Marine Regiment, addresses his Marines on the plans for the regiment during a relief and appointment ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 7, 2014. His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold stars. Robinson is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan with the regiment as part of Task Force Belleau Wood and looks forward to being able to lead the regiment on the final deployment to Afghanistan.