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Lance Cpl. John Brown, a rifleman serving with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, shares a joke with Lance Cpl. Singh Amritdave, a rifleman serving with 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards, after live-fire familiarization training here, Dec. 1, 2012. The guardsmen began training with the Marines Nov. 29 and will continue to train until Dec. 25, as apart of Exercise Valiant Mark. Brown, a 22 year-old native of El Paso, Texas, said he is happy to have met Amritdave and is going to keep in contact with his new friend. (Official United States Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Corey Dabney.) - Lance Cpl. John Brown, a rifleman serving with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, shares a joke with Lance Cpl. Singh Amritdave, a rifleman serving with 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards, after live-fire familiarization training here, Dec. 1, 2012. The guardsmen began training with the Marines Nov. 29 and will continue to train until Dec. 25, as apart of Exercise Valiant Mark. Brown, a 22 year-old native of El Paso, Texas, said he is happy to have met Amritdave and is going to keep in contact with his new friend. (Official United States Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Corey Dabney.)

Corporal Cameron Reed, a motor transport operator with Regimental Combat Team 7 and a native of Thomasville, Ga., left his small, southern town looking for a new experience. Two years after becoming a Marine, Reed is now supporting infantry battalions in Helmand province, Afghanistan. - Corporal Cameron Reed, a motor transport operator with Regimental Combat Team 7 and a native of Thomasville, Ga., left his small, southern town looking for a new experience. Two years after becoming a Marine, Reed is now supporting infantry battalions in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Logo of the 1st Marine Division, headquartered in Camp Pendleton, Calif. - Logo of the 1st Marine Division, headquartered in Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Sergeant William Whetzel, left, squad leader, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, holds the company’s standard guidon while Sgt. Erik Frederiksen, squad leader, Fox Co., holds the guidon paying tribute to the Marines who came before them. - Sergeant William Whetzel, left, squad leader, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, holds the company’s standard guidon while Sgt. Erik Frederiksen, squad leader, Fox Co., holds the guidon paying tribute to the Marines who came before them.

U.S. Marines and sailors serving with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and guardsmen of the 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards present their respective battalion colors during the opening ceremony of Exercise Valiant Mark 2012 here, Nov. 29. Valiant Mark is conducted annually by U.S. Marines and Singaporean Armed Forces to promote military relationships and maintain a high level of operational readiness. (Official United States Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Corey Dabney.) - U.S. Marines and sailors serving with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and guardsmen of the 3rd Battalion Singapore Guards present their respective battalion colors during the opening ceremony of Exercise Valiant Mark 2012 here, Nov. 29. Valiant Mark is conducted annually by U.S. Marines and Singaporean Armed Forces to promote military relationships and maintain a high level of operational readiness. (Official United States Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Corey Dabney.)

Corporal Raymond H. Tulkki is currently deployed to Afghanistan with Regimental Combat Team 7. On his second deployment to Afghanistan, the Phoenix native and Marine Air-Ground Task Force planning specialist has seen Afghanistan at its highest troop numbers and now aids in the drawdown of U.S. servicemembers as the Afghans take security of their own country. - Corporal Raymond H. Tulkki is currently deployed to Afghanistan with Regimental Combat Team 7. On his second deployment to Afghanistan, the Phoenix native and Marine Air-Ground Task Force planning specialist has seen Afghanistan at its highest troop numbers and now aids in the drawdown of U.S. servicemembers as the Afghans take security of their own country.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Scott A. Samuels (left), Sergeant Major, Regimental Combat Team 7, recognizes Pfc. Clifford C. Dietrich, the youngest Marine present, prior to a cake cutting ceremony on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. 10, 2012. The ceremony was conducted in celebration of the Marine Corps 237th birthday. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alejandro Pena/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Scott A. Samuels (left), Sergeant Major, Regimental Combat Team 7, recognizes Pfc. Clifford C. Dietrich, the youngest Marine present, prior to a cake cutting ceremony on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. 10, 2012. The ceremony was conducted in celebration of the Marine Corps 237th birthday. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alejandro Pena/Released)

A local villager repairs the front end of the ferry that carries passengers and vehicles across the Helmand River in Sangin, Afghanistan, Nov. 10, 2012. The ferry is one of the few options the local people can use to cross the river. - A local villager repairs the front end of the ferry that carries passengers and vehicles across the Helmand River in Sangin, Afghanistan, Nov. 10, 2012. The ferry is one of the few options the local people can use to cross the river.

Lieutenant Col. Jeffrey J. Kenney, Afghan security forces officer in charge, Regimental Combat Team 7, is serving his 12th deployment. He has 37 years of experience in the Marine Corps and will be honored Nov. 10, during the cake cutting ceremony, as the oldest Marine in the regiment. - Lieutenant Col. Jeffrey J. Kenney, Afghan security forces officer in charge, Regimental Combat Team 7, is serving his 12th deployment. He has 37 years of experience in the Marine Corps and will be honored Nov. 10, during the cake cutting ceremony, as the oldest Marine in the regiment.

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus speaks to a Marine at Forward Operating Base Geronimo, Afghanistan, Oct. 28. This was the secretary's 10th visit to Helmand province since he assumed his current position as the 75th Secretary of the Navy. - Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus speaks to a Marine at Forward Operating Base Geronimo, Afghanistan, Oct. 28. This was the secretary's 10th visit to Helmand province since he assumed his current position as the 75th Secretary of the Navy.