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.
A Marine Corps eight-point cover lays next to family photos, showcasing Staff Sgt. Maribel Valdez's balancing act between her family and her military career, May 15, 2012. She is the adjutant with 1st Marine Division (Forward). Valdez said she knows it's difficult for her family while she's deployed but plans on spending a lot of time with her family when she returns home.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - A Marine Corps eight-point cover lays next to family photos, showcasing Staff Sgt. Maribel Valdez's balancing act between her family and her military career, May 15, 2012. She is the adjutant with 1st Marine Division (Forward). Valdez said she knows it's difficult for her family while she's deployed but plans on spending a lot of time with her family when she returns home.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::
Sergeant Christopher Scott, the logistics advisor with the Embedded Training Team, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, eats a meal of bread, beef and fresh vegetables with his Afghan allies, April 29, 2012. Scott was a guest of his Afghan National Army soldiers serving with 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps. Scott regularly spends extra time getting to know his Afghan National Army coworkers.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Sergeant Christopher Scott, the logistics advisor with the Embedded Training Team, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, eats a meal of bread, beef and fresh vegetables with his Afghan allies, April 29, 2012. Scott was a guest of his Afghan National Army soldiers serving with 1st Kandak, 1st Brigade, 215th Corps. Scott regularly spends extra time getting to know his Afghan National Army coworkers.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::
Afghan National Army Gunnery Sgt. Mohammad Hasan, sights in on his target with his M24 sniper rifle, May 2, 2012. Hasan was the high shooter on the first day of the range and said he remembered to control his breathing and to relax while firing the new weapon.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Afghan National Army Gunnery Sgt. Mohammad Hasan, sights in on his target with his M24 sniper rifle, May 2, 2012. Hasan was the high shooter on the first day of the range and said he remembered to control his breathing and to relax while firing the new weapon.::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::
Corporal Ryan Theis, a squad leader with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, rests during a clearing patrol, April 26, 2012. This is Theis’ second deployment to Afghanistan and his first as a squad leader. - Corporal Ryan Theis, a squad leader with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, rests during a clearing patrol, April 26, 2012. This is Theis’ second deployment to Afghanistan and his first as a squad leader.
Capt. Jesse Hills, the team leader of Team 3, Civil Affairs Detachment 11-2, climbs a dump truck to inspect the contents during a patrol in Khan Neshin, Afghanistan, Feb. 29, 2012. The truck was carrying gravel to place over a culvert in the road. Afghans are currently paving a road in Khan Neshin, equipped with culverts to allow canals to pass though to the surrounding farms. The road is a civil affairs –initiated project to help the locals build an infrastructure on their own. Hills is a 28-year-old native of Terre Haute, Ind., who served as an intelligence officer with 11th Marine Regiment before detaching to the civil affairs team. - Capt. Jesse Hills, the team leader of Team 3, Civil Affairs Detachment 11-2, climbs a dump truck to inspect the contents during a patrol in Khan Neshin, Afghanistan, Feb. 29, 2012. The truck was carrying gravel to place over a culvert in the road. Afghans are currently paving a road in Khan Neshin, equipped with culverts to allow canals to pass though to the surrounding farms. The road is a civil affairs –initiated project to help the locals build an infrastructure on their own. Hills is a 28-year-old native of Terre Haute, Ind., who served as an intelligence officer with 11th Marine Regiment before detaching to the civil affairs team.