Corporal Brent Graham, a field radio operator with Regimental Combat Team 7 and 21-year-old native of Clinton, Ind., has gained experience and even seen combat during his deployment to Helmand province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. "Cpl. Graham is an extremely hard worker. That's why he was selected to go on RCT-7's last mission," said Staff Sgt. Cedric Swan, the radio chief with RCT-7. "And once there, Graham rose to the challenge and represented himself and 7th Marines in an exceptional manner in the midst of eminent danger." - Corporal Brent Graham, a field radio operator with Regimental Combat Team 7 and 21-year-old native of Clinton, Ind., has gained experience and even seen combat during his deployment to Helmand province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. "Cpl. Graham is an extremely hard worker. That's why he was selected to go on RCT-7's last mission," said Staff Sgt. Cedric Swan, the radio chief with RCT-7. "And once there, Graham rose to the challenge and represented himself and 7th Marines in an exceptional manner in the midst of eminent danger."

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."

Lance Cpl. Ryan Howerton, a 22-year-old native of Kansas City, Mo., and mortar man with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, searches for insurgents during an Afghan National Civil Order Police-led operation Feb. 13. Marines with 2nd Bn., 7th Marines provided fire support during the operation. - Lance Cpl. Ryan Howerton, a 22-year-old native of Kansas City, Mo., and mortar man with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, searches for insurgents during an Afghan National Civil Order Police-led operation Feb. 13. Marines with 2nd Bn., 7th Marines provided fire support during the operation.

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.”

Cpl. Scott McKenzie, a 22-year-old native of Saratoga, Calif. and an administrative clerk with Regimental Combat Team 7, was combat meritoriously promoted to his current rank, Feb. 2, here. "There's a lot more responsibility, as with any rank," McKenzie said. "You become more of a leader and begin to teach Marines the things your NCOs taught you." - Cpl. Scott McKenzie, a 22-year-old native of Saratoga, Calif. and an administrative clerk with Regimental Combat Team 7, was combat meritoriously promoted to his current rank, Feb. 2, here. "There's a lot more responsibility, as with any rank," McKenzie said. "You become more of a leader and begin to teach Marines the things your NCOs taught you."

Cpl. Brandon Harper, a 29-year-old native of Detroit and the Headquarters Company clerk with Regimental Combat Team 7, is honored to serve on a deployment and volunteered to raise and lower the American flag at the RCT Headquarters. "I would describe him as honorable," said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Marshall, HQ Co. gunnery sergeant with RCT-7. “He tries to always do the right thing in every situation.” - Cpl. Brandon Harper, a 29-year-old native of Detroit and the Headquarters Company clerk with Regimental Combat Team 7, is honored to serve on a deployment and volunteered to raise and lower the American flag at the RCT Headquarters. "I would describe him as honorable," said Gunnery Sgt. Christopher Marshall, HQ Co. gunnery sergeant with RCT-7. “He tries to always do the right thing in every situation.”

Bonnie Amos, wife of Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos, talks about her recent trip to visit Marines overseas during a military spouses’ conference here Jan. 31, 2013. Mrs. Amos spent the holidays in December 2012 traveling to different posts throughout Afghanistan in an effort to experience deployment life with Marines and convey it in her own words to military spouses on the home front. She said she believes the reason Marines have such high esprit de corps is due to the love and support they receive from their families back home. Mrs. Amos traveled with Gen. Amos, and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett. - Bonnie Amos, wife of Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James F. Amos, talks about her recent trip to visit Marines overseas during a military spouses’ conference here Jan. 31, 2013. Mrs. Amos spent the holidays in December 2012 traveling to different posts throughout Afghanistan in an effort to experience deployment life with Marines and convey it in her own words to military spouses on the home front. She said she believes the reason Marines have such high esprit de corps is due to the love and support they receive from their families back home. Mrs. Amos traveled with Gen. Amos, and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett.