Sergeant Charles Lopez (center), squad leader, 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, served with First of the First for eight years, his entire career. He's deployed in support of combat operations to Fallujah, Iraq, twice, once on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and most recently deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan, during 2011Lopez had the choice to transition to another duty station when he re-enlisted during 2009, but he chose to stay with First of the First so he can sharpen his skills as an infantry rifleman and an antitank missileman. Lopez is a native of San Antonio. - Sergeant Charles Lopez (center), squad leader, 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, served with First of the First for eight years, his entire career. He's deployed in support of combat operations to Fallujah, Iraq, twice, once on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and most recently deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan, during 2011Lopez had the choice to transition to another duty station when he re-enlisted during 2009, but he chose to stay with First of the First so he can sharpen his skills as an infantry rifleman and an antitank missileman. Lopez is a native of San Antonio.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Shults, independent duty corpsman, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and a native of Mt. Sterling, Ky., hugs his son, Lucas, 3, before leaving for a deployment at the parade deck at Camp Horno here, Sept. 14, 2013. Marines with the company will provide site security at an embassy in the Middle East. The servicemembers focused on nonlethal training for scenarios similar to rioting civilians prior to their deployment. - Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Shults, independent duty corpsman, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and a native of Mt. Sterling, Ky., hugs his son, Lucas, 3, before leaving for a deployment at the parade deck at Camp Horno here, Sept. 14, 2013. Marines with the company will provide site security at an embassy in the Middle East. The servicemembers focused on nonlethal training for scenarios similar to rioting civilians prior to their deployment.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Lance Cpl. Ben Aloia, a rifleman with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and a native of Denver, changes a barrel on an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during a live-fire exercise on Range 222 here, Sept. 5, 2013. The Alpha Co. Marines fired Mk-19 grenade launchers, .50 caliber machine guns, SAWs and M240B medium machine guns Sept. 4 and 5 to crosstrain and refine their skills with each weapon system. Throughout the two days of shooting, the Marines were evaluated as they engaged multiple targets with each weapon system at ranges of 400 to 1,200 meters away. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Lance Cpl. Ben Aloia, a rifleman with Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and a native of Denver, changes a barrel on an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during a live-fire exercise on Range 222 here, Sept. 5, 2013. The Alpha Co. Marines fired Mk-19 grenade launchers, .50 caliber machine guns, SAWs and M240B medium machine guns Sept. 4 and 5 to crosstrain and refine their skills with each weapon system. Throughout the two days of shooting, the Marines were evaluated as they engaged multiple targets with each weapon system at ranges of 400 to 1,200 meters away.

Lance Corporal Tom Conchie, Zealand Army soldier serving with 2nd, 1st Battalion, provides security at the Infantry Immersion Trainer here during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013, June 13. The IIT gave the New Zealander's a taste of what they might encounter in future combat operations. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a scenario-driven exercise designed to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-to-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations. - Lance Corporal Tom Conchie, Zealand Army soldier serving with 2nd, 1st Battalion, provides security at the Infantry Immersion Trainer here during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013, June 13. The IIT gave the New Zealander's a taste of what they might encounter in future combat operations. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a scenario-driven exercise designed to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-to-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations.

New Zealand Army soldiers prepare to clear a room during a live-fire shoot house at range 216 during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013 here, June 13. The range was designed to give the soldiers a chance to practice close quarter combat situations, and prepare themselves for future operations. Dawn Blitz 2013 is one of a series of amphibious training events on both coasts of the U.S. that take place annually. Exercises like Dawn Blitz provide realistic, relevant training necessary for effective global crisis response expected of the Navy and Marine Corps. - New Zealand Army soldiers prepare to clear a room during a live-fire shoot house at range 216 during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013 here, June 13. The range was designed to give the soldiers a chance to practice close quarter combat situations, and prepare themselves for future operations. Dawn Blitz 2013 is one of a series of amphibious training events on both coasts of the U.S. that take place annually. Exercises like Dawn Blitz provide realistic, relevant training necessary for effective global crisis response expected of the Navy and Marine Corps.

Gunnery Sgt. Benjamin W. Stryffeler, platoon sergeant serving with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, is presented the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat "V" for valor here, June 11, 2013. Stryffeler was awarded for his heroic achievements while serving as a platoon sergeant during the battalion's deployment to Afghanistan in 2012. During the deployment, Stryffeler led his Marines during several fierce small-arms engagements, exposed himself to hostile fire to ensure the safety of his Marines and conducted four casualty evacuations for Marines and Afghans, helping to provide lifesaving aid to his wounded. - Gunnery Sgt. Benjamin W. Stryffeler, platoon sergeant serving with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, is presented the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat "V" for valor here, June 11, 2013. Stryffeler was awarded for his heroic achievements while serving as a platoon sergeant during the battalion's deployment to Afghanistan in 2012. During the deployment, Stryffeler led his Marines during several fierce small-arms engagements, exposed himself to hostile fire to ensure the safety of his Marines and conducted four casualty evacuations for Marines and Afghans, helping to provide lifesaving aid to his wounded.