Sergeant Thomas Z. Spitzer, professionally instructed gunman, Scout Sniper Platoon, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, poses for a photo shortly after arriving in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 20, 2014. Spitzer, a 23-year-old native of New Braunfels, Texas, was killed while conducting combat operations, June 25, 2014. - Sergeant Thomas Z. Spitzer, professionally instructed gunman, Scout Sniper Platoon, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, poses for a photo shortly after arriving in Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 20, 2014. Spitzer, a 23-year-old native of New Braunfels, Texas, was killed while conducting combat operations, June 25, 2014.
Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, provide security during a Mission Rehearsal Exercise at Forward Operating Base Juno, Afghanistan, March 13, 2014. The Marines traveled to Forward Operating Base Juno 17, kilometers away, and provided security on three objectives while Afghan National Security Forces cleared the area of notional hostile threats. The MRX was a training mission to help prepare the infantrymen for potential future operations. - Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, provide security during a Mission Rehearsal Exercise at Forward Operating Base Juno, Afghanistan, March 13, 2014. The Marines traveled to Forward Operating Base Juno 17, kilometers away, and provided security on three objectives while Afghan National Security Forces cleared the area of notional hostile threats. The MRX was a training mission to help prepare the infantrymen for potential future operations.
Corporal Sasha Savage, a supply noncommissioned officer with Regimental Combat Team 7, has helped fill an important role by maintaining complete, accurate records of supply purchases made by subordinate units. Savage, a 23-year-old native of Beaverton, Mich., originally deployed with Marine Air Ground Task Force Support Company, Reset and Reconstitution Operational Group, but was moved to RCT-7 when a shortfall was identified by the RCT. "When she came in, she was rather quiet about things," said 1st Lt. Douglas Turner, the supply officer with RCT-7 and a 26-year-old native of Columbus, Ohio. "Her path of leadership now is leading her peers, leading by example. She's actually trying to be the best NCO in the shop, and Marines are following her because of it." - Corporal Sasha Savage, a supply noncommissioned officer with Regimental Combat Team 7, has helped fill an important role by maintaining complete, accurate records of supply purchases made by subordinate units. Savage, a 23-year-old native of Beaverton, Mich., originally deployed with Marine Air Ground Task Force Support Company, Reset and Reconstitution Operational Group, but was moved to RCT-7 when a shortfall was identified by the RCT. "When she came in, she was rather quiet about things," said 1st Lt. Douglas Turner, the supply officer with RCT-7 and a 26-year-old native of Columbus, Ohio. "Her path of leadership now is leading her peers, leading by example. She's actually trying to be the best NCO in the shop, and Marines are following her because of it."
Captain Kyle Larish, the executive officer of Police Advisor Team 4, and 31-year-old native of Buffalo, New York, engages with the assistant district chief of police and other Afghan Uniformed Police during a patrol to the Kajaki Police Headquarters, Feb. 11. "(We) are advising their key staff members in their functional areas to coordinate their efforts with their higher headquarters," said 1st Lt. Chad Ernst, the fires officer and Joint Terminal Attack Controller with PAT-4. "We are trying to help them get the Afghan support they need in the correct format." - Captain Kyle Larish, the executive officer of Police Advisor Team 4, and 31-year-old native of Buffalo, New York, engages with the assistant district chief of police and other Afghan Uniformed Police during a patrol to the Kajaki Police Headquarters, Feb. 11. "(We) are advising their key staff members in their functional areas to coordinate their efforts with their higher headquarters," said 1st Lt. Chad Ernst, the fires officer and Joint Terminal Attack Controller with PAT-4. "We are trying to help them get the Afghan support they need in the correct format."
Major Gen. Ronald L. Bailey (left), the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, and Col. Roger Turner, the commanding officer of 5th Marine Regiment, salute for the national anthem during a Bronze Star Medal ceremony here at Camp San Mateo, Feb. 15, 2013. Sergeant William Stacey, a squad leader who served with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for valor for his actions in Helmand province, Afghanistan. In his final letter to his family, Stacey wrote, “If my life buys the safety of one child who will one day change the world, then I know that it was all worth it.” - Major Gen. Ronald L. Bailey (left), the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, and Col. Roger Turner, the commanding officer of 5th Marine Regiment, salute for the national anthem during a Bronze Star Medal ceremony here at Camp San Mateo, Feb. 15, 2013. Sergeant William Stacey, a squad leader who served with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for valor for his actions in Helmand province, Afghanistan. In his final letter to his family, Stacey wrote, “If my life buys the safety of one child who will one day change the world, then I know that it was all worth it.”
U.S. Marine Col. Roger B. Turner Jr., the commanding officer Regimental Combat Team 5, shakes hands and gives the floor to Col. John R. Shafer, the commanding officer of RCT-6, after speaking during a transfer of authority ceremony here, July 5, 2012. Since their activation in 1917, 5th and 6th Marine Regiments have courageously fought for America, most notably in World War I when they fought side-by-side in the bloody Battle of Belleau Wood. In December 2011, Regimental Combat Team 6 arrived in northern Helmand province to support Operation Enduring Freedom, joining RCT-5 on the same battlefield for the first time in 94 years. This historic partnership is now coming to a close. Turner and Ruiz, the commanding officer and sergeant major of RCT-5, cased the colors of ‚Fighting Fifth‚ and transferred authority of their area of operations to Shafer and Sgt. Maj. Jamie Deets, the sergeant major of RCT-6 here, July 5. - U.S. Marine Col. Roger B. Turner Jr., the commanding officer Regimental Combat Team 5, shakes hands and gives the floor to Col. John R. Shafer, the commanding officer of RCT-6, after speaking during a transfer of authority ceremony here, July 5, 2012. Since their activation in 1917, 5th and 6th Marine Regiments have courageously fought for America, most notably in World War I when they fought side-by-side in the bloody Battle of Belleau Wood. In December 2011, Regimental Combat Team 6 arrived in northern Helmand province to support Operation Enduring Freedom, joining RCT-5 on the same battlefield for the first time in 94 years. This historic partnership is now coming to a close. Turner and Ruiz, the commanding officer and sergeant major of RCT-5, cased the colors of ‚Fighting Fifth‚ and transferred authority of their area of operations to Shafer and Sgt. Maj. Jamie Deets, the sergeant major of RCT-6 here, July 5.
Staff Sgt. Gerhard Tauss launches an unmanned aerial vehicle prior to conducting operations in the scouted area in Nahr-e Saraj, Afghanistan June 20, 2012. Tauss is the platoon sergeant for 2nd platoon, Mobility Assault Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, and operated in support of Operation Jaws as apart of the route clearance effort. - Staff Sgt. Gerhard Tauss launches an unmanned aerial vehicle prior to conducting operations in the scouted area in Nahr-e Saraj, Afghanistan June 20, 2012. Tauss is the platoon sergeant for 2nd platoon, Mobility Assault Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, and operated in support of Operation Jaws as apart of the route clearance effort.
Lance Cpl. Christopher Yudin, a machinegunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, looks through the sights of his M240 machinegun, May 30, 2012. - Lance Cpl. Christopher Yudin, a machinegunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, looks through the sights of his M240 machinegun, May 30, 2012.
Petty Officer 3rd Class, Norberto Zamora, a hospital corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, watches the horizon during a security halt, July 1, 2012. Zamora’s training was put to the test within his first week in Afghanistan when troops step on an improvised explosive device while on a patrol. - Petty Officer 3rd Class, Norberto Zamora, a hospital corpsman with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, watches the horizon during a security halt, July 1, 2012. Zamora’s training was put to the test within his first week in Afghanistan when troops step on an improvised explosive device while on a patrol.
Lance Cpl. Kyle Yudin, a machine gunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, patrols through the town of Zamindawar, a known insurgent stronghold, June 1, 2012. Marines fought through hostile enemy contact and temperatures reaching 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the operation. - Lance Cpl. Kyle Yudin, a machine gunner with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, patrols through the town of Zamindawar, a known insurgent stronghold, June 1, 2012. Marines fought through hostile enemy contact and temperatures reaching 120 degrees Fahrenheit during the operation.