Staff Sgt. Randy Coole, 1st Platoon sergeant, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, rinses his face after enduring a nonlethal weapons training course here where he was sprayed with pepper spray, Oct. 1, 2013. The Marines with Delta Company are preparing for a deployment to the Middle East where they’ll provide embassy security. Coole is a native of Oakley, Mich. - Staff Sgt. Randy Coole, 1st Platoon sergeant, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, rinses his face after enduring a nonlethal weapons training course here where he was sprayed with pepper spray, Oct. 1, 2013. The Marines with Delta Company are preparing for a deployment to the Middle East where they’ll provide embassy security. Coole is a native of Oakley, Mich.

A Marine with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, returns for an accountability formation as part of an air contingency battalion recall rehearsal aboard the Camp Horno parade deck here, Sept. 26, 2013. The drill required Marines to arrive in two hours at the parade deck and get accountability of their gear. The Marines of First of the First make up the air contingency battalion for the next 30 days and are ready to deploy anywhere in the world at anytime. - A Marine with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, returns for an accountability formation as part of an air contingency battalion recall rehearsal aboard the Camp Horno parade deck here, Sept. 26, 2013. The drill required Marines to arrive in two hours at the parade deck and get accountability of their gear. The Marines of First of the First make up the air contingency battalion for the next 30 days and are ready to deploy anywhere in the world at anytime.

Lance Cpl. Christopher Wilson, a rifleman with Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and a native of Alexandria, La., simulates attempting to detect improvised explosive devices with a mine sweeper during a training convoy here, Sept. 24, 2013. The Baker Co. Marines drove two Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicles and two armored Humvees to a turnaround point nearly an hour away and then returned to their starting point. The convoy halted multiple times to simulate different situations such as a vehicle breaking down or hitting an IED. - Lance Cpl. Christopher Wilson, a rifleman with Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and a native of Alexandria, La., simulates attempting to detect improvised explosive devices with a mine sweeper during a training convoy here, Sept. 24, 2013. The Baker Co. Marines drove two Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicles and two armored Humvees to a turnaround point nearly an hour away and then returned to their starting point. The convoy halted multiple times to simulate different situations such as a vehicle breaking down or hitting an IED.

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.

Sergeant Charles Lopez (center), squad leader, 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, served with First of the First for eight years, his entire career. He's deployed in support of combat operations to Fallujah, Iraq, twice, once on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and most recently deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan, during 2011Lopez had the choice to transition to another duty station when he re-enlisted during 2009, but he chose to stay with First of the First so he can sharpen his skills as an infantry rifleman and an antitank missileman. Lopez is a native of San Antonio. - Sergeant Charles Lopez (center), squad leader, 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, served with First of the First for eight years, his entire career. He's deployed in support of combat operations to Fallujah, Iraq, twice, once on the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and most recently deployed to Helmand province, Afghanistan, during 2011Lopez had the choice to transition to another duty station when he re-enlisted during 2009, but he chose to stay with First of the First so he can sharpen his skills as an infantry rifleman and an antitank missileman. Lopez is a native of San Antonio.

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.

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.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Shults, independent duty corpsman, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and a native of Mt. Sterling, Ky., hugs his son, Lucas, 3, before leaving for a deployment at the parade deck at Camp Horno here, Sept. 14, 2013. Marines with the company will provide site security at an embassy in the Middle East. The servicemembers focused on nonlethal training for scenarios similar to rioting civilians prior to their deployment. - Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Shults, independent duty corpsman, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, and a native of Mt. Sterling, Ky., hugs his son, Lucas, 3, before leaving for a deployment at the parade deck at Camp Horno here, Sept. 14, 2013. Marines with the company will provide site security at an embassy in the Middle East. The servicemembers focused on nonlethal training for scenarios similar to rioting civilians prior to their deployment.

“Warriors of Virtue,” a new campaign by Marine Corps Recruiting Command, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 on social media and the Big Ten Network. The campaign celebrates the virtues of Courage, Knowledge and Pride, three traits valued in the Hispanic-American community as well as the Marine Corps. - “Warriors of Virtue,” a new campaign by Marine Corps Recruiting Command, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 on social media and the Big Ten Network. The campaign celebrates the virtues of Courage, Knowledge and Pride, three traits valued in the Hispanic-American community as well as the Marine Corps.