PFC Michael Ainsworth, a mortarman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, prepares to drop a mortar round during a combined-arms raid at Army National Training Center Fort Irwin, April 11, 2015. The raid was conducted by 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion as part of exercise Desert Scimitar 2015. - PFC Michael Ainsworth, a mortarman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, prepares to drop a mortar round during a combined-arms raid at Army National Training Center Fort Irwin, April 11, 2015. The raid was conducted by 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion as part of exercise Desert Scimitar 2015.
Veteran Cpl Josue Barron of Cudahy, CA, maneuvers around the defense of Cpl Marcus Chischilly of Phoenix, AZ in the wheelchair basketball competition. The Marine Corps Trials are a Paralympic style competition in which wounded, ill, and injured Marines, Marine Veterans, and international allies compete in archery, cycling, field, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, and wheelchair basketball. The 2014 Marine Corps Trials are held aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif. from March 4-12. - Veteran Cpl Josue Barron of Cudahy, CA, maneuvers around the defense of Cpl Marcus Chischilly of Phoenix, AZ in the wheelchair basketball competition. The Marine Corps Trials are a Paralympic style competition in which wounded, ill, and injured Marines, Marine Veterans, and international allies compete in archery, cycling, field, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, track, and wheelchair basketball. The 2014 Marine Corps Trials are held aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif. from March 4-12.
Lance Cpl. Connor J. Shellabarger, a machine gunner for Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, listens in along with his junior Marine, on the corrections his instructor has for him during a machine gun course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 4, 2015. Shellabarger is bonding with his junior Marine to create the camaraderie Marines are known for. - Lance Cpl. Connor J. Shellabarger, a machine gunner for Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, listens in along with his junior Marine, on the corrections his instructor has for him during a machine gun course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 4, 2015. Shellabarger is bonding with his junior Marine to create the camaraderie Marines are known for.
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, stand at parade rest during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 7, 2014. Lieutenant Col. Mike Wilonsky assumed command of the battalion from Lt. Col. Robert Weiler. Weiler, a native of Arlington, Va., will be assuming the role of executive officer of 5th Marine Regiment. - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, stand at parade rest during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 7, 2014. Lieutenant Col. Mike Wilonsky assumed command of the battalion from Lt. Col. Robert Weiler. Weiler, a native of Arlington, Va., will be assuming the role of executive officer of 5th Marine Regiment.
Lance Cpl. Hayden Parker, rifleman, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and a native of Florence, Ariz., provides security for his fire team during an Urban Operations exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 9, 2014. The training area tested the Marines’ knowledge and skills on operations in austere conditions. The range portrayed how an urban battlefield may look in a combat environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released) - Lance Cpl. Hayden Parker, rifleman, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and a native of Florence, Ariz., provides security for his fire team during an Urban Operations exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 9, 2014. The training area tested the Marines’ knowledge and skills on operations in austere conditions. The range portrayed how an urban battlefield may look in a combat environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released)
Marines with 1st Tank Battalion provide security during a mechanized raid in support of Exercise Steel Knight 2014 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 13, 2013. The assault utilized both air and ground elements to eliminate their objective. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF). The exercise focuses on conventional operations and provides realistic training that prepares Marines for overseas operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. James Gulliver/Released) - Marines with 1st Tank Battalion provide security during a mechanized raid in support of Exercise Steel Knight 2014 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 13, 2013. The assault utilized both air and ground elements to eliminate their objective. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF). The exercise focuses on conventional operations and provides realistic training that prepares Marines for overseas operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. James Gulliver/Released)
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.
Noncommissioned officers with Headquarters Company, 5th Marine Regiment, attend a professional military education session as part of the regiment's emphasis on small-unit leaders here, Sept. 20, 2013. Every Friday, Marines conduct PMEs to train and educate the servicemembers with the regiment. This PME focused on the NCOs' roles as mentors and leaders with their junior Marines. - Noncommissioned officers with Headquarters Company, 5th Marine Regiment, attend a professional military education session as part of the regiment's emphasis on small-unit leaders here, Sept. 20, 2013. Every Friday, Marines conduct PMEs to train and educate the servicemembers with the regiment. This PME focused on the NCOs' roles as mentors and leaders with their junior Marines.
Lieutenant Col. Robert Rice, commanding officer, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, passes the noncommissioned officer sword to Sgt. Maj. Carlos Ruiz, incoming sergeant major, 3rd Bn., 5th Marines, during a relief and appointment ceremony here, Sept. 20, 2013. Relief and appointment ceremonies are one of the many traditions upheld in the Marine Corps today, which involves the passing of the noncommissioned officer sword from the outgoing sergeant major to the oncoming. The passing of the sword signifies the transfer of responsibilities and accountability from one senior enlisted Marine to another. - Lieutenant Col. Robert Rice, commanding officer, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, passes the noncommissioned officer sword to Sgt. Maj. Carlos Ruiz, incoming sergeant major, 3rd Bn., 5th Marines, during a relief and appointment ceremony here, Sept. 20, 2013. Relief and appointment ceremonies are one of the many traditions upheld in the Marine Corps today, which involves the passing of the noncommissioned officer sword from the outgoing sergeant major to the oncoming. The passing of the sword signifies the transfer of responsibilities and accountability from one senior enlisted Marine to another.