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First Lt. Michael Cooley, a platoon commander serving with Mobility Assault Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, searches for footprints and other evidence showing recent human movement through the area during a combat tracking course offered by Tactical Tracking Operations School here, May 16, 2013. Cooley, a native of Algonquin, Ill., is an Eagle Scout and has been involved with Scouting for nearly 20 years. While 1st CEB is training to deploy to Afghanistan during the fall, Cooley devotes much of his free time to Scouting. Growing up, Cooley's father was his den leader, now Cooley is a den leader for his son, Isaac. - First Lt. Michael Cooley, a platoon commander serving with Mobility Assault Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, searches for footprints and other evidence showing recent human movement through the area during a combat tracking course offered by Tactical Tracking Operations School here, May 16, 2013. Cooley, a native of Algonquin, Ill., is an Eagle Scout and has been involved with Scouting for nearly 20 years. While 1st CEB is training to deploy to Afghanistan during the fall, Cooley devotes much of his free time to Scouting. Growing up, Cooley's father was his den leader, now Cooley is a den leader for his son, Isaac.

Marines serving with 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, show the children of San Juan Capistrano moves from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program here, May 23, 2013. The children participated in several events set up by Marines including a combat fitness test. The Marines also participated in helping the citizens of San Juan Capistrano clean up their community and improve their community center. - Marines serving with 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, show the children of San Juan Capistrano moves from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program here, May 23, 2013. The children participated in several events set up by Marines including a combat fitness test. The Marines also participated in helping the citizens of San Juan Capistrano clean up their community and improve their community center.

Sergeant Derrick Organo, a squad leader and machine-gun section leader with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, talks to an Afghan Nation Army soldier at a vehicle checkpoint here, May 21, 2013, during Operation Gridlock. "They're pretty good," said Organo, a 23-year-old native of San Francisco. "They knew what to do, and they didn't have to ask us any questions. We're trying to build their confidence in their vehicle checkpoints. When we have a day like today, they know they did well." - Sergeant Derrick Organo, a squad leader and machine-gun section leader with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, talks to an Afghan Nation Army soldier at a vehicle checkpoint here, May 21, 2013, during Operation Gridlock. "They're pretty good," said Organo, a 23-year-old native of San Francisco. "They knew what to do, and they didn't have to ask us any questions. We're trying to build their confidence in their vehicle checkpoints. When we have a day like today, they know they did well."

Cpl. Larry Jackson, a squad leader with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, and Han Mamad Lala, an Afghan National Policeman, pose for a picture at an ANP base here, April 4, 2013. Jackson and Lala stood post together for several months during Jackson's first deployment to Now Zad District from October 2009 to March 2010. (Courtesy photo) - Cpl. Larry Jackson, a squad leader with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, and Han Mamad Lala, an Afghan National Policeman, pose for a picture at an ANP base here, April 4, 2013. Jackson and Lala stood post together for several months during Jackson's first deployment to Now Zad District from October 2009 to March 2010. (Courtesy photo)

Members of the country music band The Frontmen pose for a picture with Marines of 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, and the staff at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) center here, May 23, 2013. "We needed this performance just as much as these guys did," said Erick Baker. "We're here for the troops and to say thank you, and the crowd today really picked us up." (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mel Johnson) - Members of the country music band The Frontmen pose for a picture with Marines of 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, and the staff at the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) center here, May 23, 2013. "We needed this performance just as much as these guys did," said Erick Baker. "We're here for the troops and to say thank you, and the crowd today really picked us up." (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mel Johnson)

Sergeant Philip Noble, the assistant gunner and training non-commissioned officer for Regimental Combat Team 7, is responsible for coordinating Reset, Staging, Onward movement and Integration for all coalition forces that arrive in Helmand province. Noble, a 32-year-old native of Corsicana, Texas, recently received an award from International Security Assistance Forces Joint Command, the second highest command in Afghanistan, for being "the foremost authority on training and RSO&I in Afghanistan." He has deployed 4 times to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. Editors Note: Reset, Staging, Onward movement, and Integration is the initial process each coalition force unit must go through upon arrival in Afghanistan. It includes refresher-training courses, live-fire ranges, counter improvised explosive device training and movement to the unit's area of operation. - Sergeant Philip Noble, the assistant gunner and training non-commissioned officer for Regimental Combat Team 7, is responsible for coordinating Reset, Staging, Onward movement and Integration for all coalition forces that arrive in Helmand province. Noble, a 32-year-old native of Corsicana, Texas, recently received an award from International Security Assistance Forces Joint Command, the second highest command in Afghanistan, for being "the foremost authority on training and RSO&I in Afghanistan." He has deployed 4 times to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. Editors Note: Reset, Staging, Onward movement, and Integration is the initial process each coalition force unit must go through upon arrival in Afghanistan. It includes refresher-training courses, live-fire ranges, counter improvised explosive device training and movement to the unit's area of operation.

Marines serving with 5th Marine Regiment watch as the regiment's Operation Enduring Freedom Memorial reaches it final location at Camp San Mateo's Memorial Garden here, May 20, 2013. The Patriot Guard Riders escorted the 7-ton Barre granite memorial from Barre, Vt., to Camp Pendleton during the course of 10 days. - Marines serving with 5th Marine Regiment watch as the regiment's Operation Enduring Freedom Memorial reaches it final location at Camp San Mateo's Memorial Garden here, May 20, 2013. The Patriot Guard Riders escorted the 7-ton Barre granite memorial from Barre, Vt., to Camp Pendleton during the course of 10 days.

Marines serving with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion and 7th Engineer Support Battalion demonstrate bridging capabilities at the Camp Del Mar basin here, May 16, 2013. The Improved Ribbon Bridge is designed to carry heavy vehicles including the M1A1 Abrams Tank. During the demonstration, the bridge supported an Armored Vehicle-Launched Bridge traveling into the basin. - Marines serving with 1st Combat Engineer Battalion and 7th Engineer Support Battalion demonstrate bridging capabilities at the Camp Del Mar basin here, May 16, 2013. The Improved Ribbon Bridge is designed to carry heavy vehicles including the M1A1 Abrams Tank. During the demonstration, the bridge supported an Armored Vehicle-Launched Bridge traveling into the basin.

Marines serving with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, prepare to start their assault on an enemy position during a training exercise here, May 15, 2013. The training was designed to give fire team leaders and squad leaders practice leading their infantrymen in combat situation. - Marines serving with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, prepare to start their assault on an enemy position during a training exercise here, May 15, 2013. The training was designed to give fire team leaders and squad leaders practice leading their infantrymen in combat situation.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, retrograde gear and equipment as part of the demilitarization process here, May 11. "America's Battalion" completes combat logistics convoys that aid in the demilitarization and closing of FOBs within their area of operation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo taken by Lance Cpl. Mel Johnson) - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, retrograde gear and equipment as part of the demilitarization process here, May 11. "America's Battalion" completes combat logistics convoys that aid in the demilitarization and closing of FOBs within their area of operation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo taken by Lance Cpl. Mel Johnson)