Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, maintain security while on patrol during a combat readiness training exercise on Range 800 here, Sept. 12, 2013. The training helped the battalion see how multiple elements of an attack work together to accomplish a single mission. The training exercise prepared the Marines for future operations as well as combat. - Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, maintain security while on patrol during a combat readiness training exercise on Range 800 here, Sept. 12, 2013. The training helped the battalion see how multiple elements of an attack work together to accomplish a single mission. The training exercise prepared the Marines for future operations as well as combat.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Lance Cpl. Keon Maluia, rifleman, 1st Combined Anti-Armor Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and native of Inglewood, Calif., patrols around his team’s vehicle during a simulated convoy in the Combat Convoy Simulator here, July 25, 2013. The CCS provides an immersive training environment for both convoy operations training and command and control procedures for vehicle and convoy commanders in tactical scenarios. The CCS places Marines in a realistic environment and allows for repetition, review and critique while saving time, maintenance, ammunition, weapons and range facilities. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Lance Cpl. Keon Maluia, rifleman, 1st Combined Anti-Armor Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and native of Inglewood, Calif., patrols around his team’s vehicle during a simulated convoy in the Combat Convoy Simulator here, July 25, 2013. The CCS provides an immersive training environment for both convoy operations training and command and control procedures for vehicle and convoy commanders in tactical scenarios. The CCS places Marines in a realistic environment and allows for repetition, review and critique while saving time, maintenance, ammunition, weapons and range facilities.

Staff Sgt. David Terryah, a platoon sergeant serving with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and his wife, Krystal, collected donations for victims of the tornadoes that devastated more than 2,400 homes in and around Moore, Okla., and Oklahoma City. With the help of various organizations, and Marines serving with the battalion and their families, Terryah, a native of Fresno, Calif., will deliver a full-sized U-Haul truck and trailer to the smaller towns affected by the tornado. Terryah's U-Haul truck is filled with supplies donated by Marines and their families with the battalion, Operation Help A Hero, Team 2/5 Rancho Santa Margarita, Freedom Riders, U-Haul, Walmart and the San Onofre military family community. - Staff Sgt. David Terryah, a platoon sergeant serving with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and his wife, Krystal, collected donations for victims of the tornadoes that devastated more than 2,400 homes in and around Moore, Okla., and Oklahoma City. With the help of various organizations, and Marines serving with the battalion and their families, Terryah, a native of Fresno, Calif., will deliver a full-sized U-Haul truck and trailer to the smaller towns affected by the tornado. Terryah's U-Haul truck is filled with supplies donated by Marines and their families with the battalion, Operation Help A Hero, Team 2/5 Rancho Santa Margarita, Freedom Riders, U-Haul, Walmart and the San Onofre military family community.

U.S. Marine Capt. Benjamin M. Middendorf, the former commander of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, was selected by Gen. James F. Amos, the commandant of the Marine Corps, to receive the 2012 Lt. Col. William G. Leftwich Jr. Trophy for Outstanding Leadership. Leftwich, a Navy Cross recipient, died in 1970 when his helicopter crashed in Vietnam, where he was commanding the Marines and sailors of 1st Reconnaissance Bn. Middendorf, a native of Rochester, Minn., is currently the commander of Headquarters and Service Co., 5th Marines. - U.S. Marine Capt. Benjamin M. Middendorf, the former commander of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, was selected by Gen. James F. Amos, the commandant of the Marine Corps, to receive the 2012 Lt. Col. William G. Leftwich Jr. Trophy for Outstanding Leadership. Leftwich, a Navy Cross recipient, died in 1970 when his helicopter crashed in Vietnam, where he was commanding the Marines and sailors of 1st Reconnaissance Bn. Middendorf, a native of Rochester, Minn., is currently the commander of Headquarters and Service Co., 5th Marines.

Lance Cpl. Nicholas Kien, a rifleman serving with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, shakes hand with Samuel Tsosie, a retired Marine who served as a Navajo Code Talker during World War II, here at Camp San Mateo, March 27, 2013. Tsosie served with 2nd Bn., 5th Marines, during multiple combat operations including Peleliu, Okinawa, and Cape Gloucester. Kien's grandfather was also a Navajo Code Talker that served during World War II. - Lance Cpl. Nicholas Kien, a rifleman serving with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, shakes hand with Samuel Tsosie, a retired Marine who served as a Navajo Code Talker during World War II, here at Camp San Mateo, March 27, 2013. Tsosie served with 2nd Bn., 5th Marines, during multiple combat operations including Peleliu, Okinawa, and Cape Gloucester. Kien's grandfather was also a Navajo Code Talker that served during World War II.