Lieutenant Col. Christeon C. Griffin, the outgoing commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, hands the battalion colors to Lt. Col. Robert C. Rice, the battalion's incoming commanding officer, during a change of command ceremony at the Camp San Mateo parade deck here, June 26, 2013. The passing of the colors signified the transfer of authority and responsibility from one commander to the next.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacob H. Harrer) - Lieutenant Col. Christeon C. Griffin, the outgoing commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, hands the battalion colors to Lt. Col. Robert C. Rice, the battalion's incoming commanding officer, during a change of command ceremony at the Camp San Mateo parade deck here, June 26, 2013. The passing of the colors signified the transfer of authority and responsibility from one commander to the next. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacob H. Harrer)

Colonel Roger B. Turner, the outgoing commanding officer of 5th Marine Regiment, salutes the U.S. flag during a change of command ceremony at the Camp San Mateo helicopter landing pad here, June 25, 2013. Turner, a native of Laurel, Md., will assume his post as the new Military Secretary for the Commandant of the Marine Corps. - Colonel Roger B. Turner, the outgoing commanding officer of 5th Marine Regiment, salutes the U.S. flag during a change of command ceremony at the Camp San Mateo helicopter landing pad here, June 25, 2013. Turner, a native of Laurel, Md., will assume his post as the new Military Secretary for the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

Canadian Army Sapper Alexander Boucher, a section member serving with 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, takes cover inside a building while a M1A1 Abrams Tank provides cover during Exercise Dawn Blitz here, June 21, 2013. Canadian soldiers coordinated movements with Marines from 1st Tank Battalion to clear the mock village of enemy role players. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a multinational amphibious exercise off the Southern California coast that refocuses Navy and Marine Corps and coalition forces in their ability to conduct complex amphibious operations essential for global crisis response across the range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacob H. Harrer) - Canadian Army Sapper Alexander Boucher, a section member serving with 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment, takes cover inside a building while a M1A1 Abrams Tank provides cover during Exercise Dawn Blitz here, June 21, 2013. Canadian soldiers coordinated movements with Marines from 1st Tank Battalion to clear the mock village of enemy role players. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a multinational amphibious exercise off the Southern California coast that refocuses Navy and Marine Corps and coalition forces in their ability to conduct complex amphibious operations essential for global crisis response across the range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacob H. Harrer)

A Marine serving with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion leads his peers in a static line jump here, June 22, 2013. The battalion performed jumps with 4th Recon Bn. to maintain their qualifications and sharpen their airborne skills. After performing static line jumps, many Marines completed one of the prerequisites to earn the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist insignia. To earn the insignia, a Marine or sailor who has already completed the Basic Airborne course must complete a minimum of five static line jumps, including one combat equipment day jump, two combat equipment night jumps and exit from at least two different types of military aircraft. - A Marine serving with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion leads his peers in a static line jump here, June 22, 2013. The battalion performed jumps with 4th Recon Bn. to maintain their qualifications and sharpen their airborne skills. After performing static line jumps, many Marines completed one of the prerequisites to earn the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist insignia. To earn the insignia, a Marine or sailor who has already completed the Basic Airborne course must complete a minimum of five static line jumps, including one combat equipment day jump, two combat equipment night jumps and exit from at least two different types of military aircraft.

Garmser District, Afghanistan - Gunnery Sgt. Richard Fitzgerald, the senior enlisted advisor with Afghan National Civil Order Police Advisor Team 2, and a native of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., passes out study guides to ANCOP instructors at the station here, June 17, 2013. Fitzgerald gave out the study guides before class so Afghan police could follow along during the period of instruction. "We're trying to implement the training cycle phase so they understand the importance of the training prior to deploying to the next area," said Fitzgerald. - Garmser District, Afghanistan - Gunnery Sgt. Richard Fitzgerald, the senior enlisted advisor with Afghan National Civil Order Police Advisor Team 2, and a native of Mt. Pleasant, Mich., passes out study guides to ANCOP instructors at the station here, June 17, 2013. Fitzgerald gave out the study guides before class so Afghan police could follow along during the period of instruction. "We're trying to implement the training cycle phase so they understand the importance of the training prior to deploying to the next area," said Fitzgerald.

Marines serving with Bravo Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, attach a detonation cord to a cratering charge at Range 108 here, June 19, 2013. The company conducted a demolition training range where Marines learned about the capabilities of various explosives such as dynamite, TNT, shape charges and C4. The charges are used by engineers to destroy heavily armored vehicles, defensive obstacles and bridges. - Marines serving with Bravo Company, 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, attach a detonation cord to a cratering charge at Range 108 here, June 19, 2013. The company conducted a demolition training range where Marines learned about the capabilities of various explosives such as dynamite, TNT, shape charges and C4. The charges are used by engineers to destroy heavily armored vehicles, defensive obstacles and bridges.

Private Nick Johnson, a New Zealand Army soldier serving with 2nd, 1st Battalion, kneels behind a barricade while engaging targets at Range 218 here during Dawn Blitz 2013, June 14. The New Zealanders moved from barricade to barricade while engaging targets and conducting tactical reloads to simulate shooting in an urban environment. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a scenario-driven exercise designed to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-to-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations. - Private Nick Johnson, a New Zealand Army soldier serving with 2nd, 1st Battalion, kneels behind a barricade while engaging targets at Range 218 here during Dawn Blitz 2013, June 14. The New Zealanders moved from barricade to barricade while engaging targets and conducting tactical reloads to simulate shooting in an urban environment. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a scenario-driven exercise designed to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-to-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Austin E. Renforth, left, the commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team 7 confers with Capt. James Wissman, the commanding officer for Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, at forward battle positions regarding actions supporting Operation Dynamic Partnership in Shurakay, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14, 2013. Dynamic Partnership was a multi-unit operation to retrograde all U.S. military equipment and personnel from village stability platform Shurakay. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alejandro Pena/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Austin E. Renforth, left, the commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team 7 confers with Capt. James Wissman, the commanding officer for Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, at forward battle positions regarding actions supporting Operation Dynamic Partnership in Shurakay, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 14, 2013. Dynamic Partnership was a multi-unit operation to retrograde all U.S. military equipment and personnel from village stability platform Shurakay. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alejandro Pena/Released)

Petty Officer 2nd Class Marlon L. Best, with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, is currently serving as the religious program specialist with the battalion. "Honestly, RP is probably the best rate--not in the Navy or Marine Corps--in the entire (Department of Defense)," said Best, a 22-year-old native of Cleveland. "I enjoy myself. I love helping Marines and other service members, and I wouldn't give that up for anything." (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mel Johnson) - Petty Officer 2nd Class Marlon L. Best, with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, is currently serving as the religious program specialist with the battalion. "Honestly, RP is probably the best rate--not in the Navy or Marine Corps--in the entire (Department of Defense)," said Best, a 22-year-old native of Cleveland. "I enjoy myself. I love helping Marines and other service members, and I wouldn't give that up for anything." (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mel Johnson)

Lance Corporal Tom Conchie, Zealand Army soldier serving with 2nd, 1st Battalion, provides security at the Infantry Immersion Trainer here during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013, June 13. The IIT gave the New Zealander's a taste of what they might encounter in future combat operations. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a scenario-driven exercise designed to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-to-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations. - Lance Corporal Tom Conchie, Zealand Army soldier serving with 2nd, 1st Battalion, provides security at the Infantry Immersion Trainer here during Exercise Dawn Blitz 2013, June 13. The IIT gave the New Zealander's a taste of what they might encounter in future combat operations. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a scenario-driven exercise designed to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-to-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations.