Marines with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, along with elements of the 7th Singaporean Infantry Brigade, clear a combat town as part of Exercise Valiant Mark 14.2 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 15, 2014. Exercise Valiant Mark enhances the United States and Singaporean armed forces’ combined combat readiness through live-fire and urban terrain training as well as amphibious operations familiarization. - Marines with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, along with elements of the 7th Singaporean Infantry Brigade, clear a combat town as part of Exercise Valiant Mark 14.2 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 15, 2014. Exercise Valiant Mark enhances the United States and Singaporean armed forces’ combined combat readiness through live-fire and urban terrain training as well as amphibious operations familiarization.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Wilson, a hospital corpsman with Truck Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, supported Exercise Steel Knight 2015 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Wilson has worked with Navy units and Marine units, caring diligently for service members during field exercises like Steel Knight, back at the barracks of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and while deployed. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focuses on conventional operations and provides realistic training that prepares Marine for overseas operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released) - Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Wilson, a hospital corpsman with Truck Support Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, supported Exercise Steel Knight 2015 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Wilson has worked with Navy units and Marine units, caring diligently for service members during field exercises like Steel Knight, back at the barracks of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and while deployed. Steel Knight is an annual exercise that includes elements from the entire I Marine Expeditionary Force. The exercise focuses on conventional operations and provides realistic training that prepares Marine for overseas operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released)

Corporal Ronald Peebles, right, a motor transport operator with Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, instructs another Marine on proper grenade throwing techniques during a hand grenade training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 18, 2014. The event served as a way for 5/11 Marines to refresh their basic fighting skills and to maintain their combat mindsets. - Corporal Ronald Peebles, right, a motor transport operator with Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, instructs another Marine on proper grenade throwing techniques during a hand grenade training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 18, 2014. The event served as a way for 5/11 Marines to refresh their basic fighting skills and to maintain their combat mindsets.

Marines with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, prepared to load an M77 Howitzer during a direct fire exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 3, 2014. The training re-established specific close-quarters firing skills with the Marines, ensuring successful future combat operations - Marines with Battery B, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, prepared to load an M77 Howitzer during a direct fire exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 3, 2014. The training re-established specific close-quarters firing skills with the Marines, ensuring successful future combat operations

Artillery Marines with Gun 3, Battery A, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, prepare to send a round down range during a fire mission at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Oct. 29, 2014. Marines of Battery A conducted a live-fire artillery shoot, Oct. 28-30, 2014. From October 2014 to July 2015, the GCEITF will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks. - Artillery Marines with Gun 3, Battery A, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, prepare to send a round down range during a fire mission at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Oct. 29, 2014. Marines of Battery A conducted a live-fire artillery shoot, Oct. 28-30, 2014. From October 2014 to July 2015, the GCEITF will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks.

A Marine plots data after engaging a target during the pre-scout sniper course Oct. 27, 2014. 1st Marine Division schools recently began the second week of training for Marines attending the pre-scout sniper course aboard Camp Pendleton California. - A Marine plots data after engaging a target during the pre-scout sniper course Oct. 27, 2014. 1st Marine Division schools recently began the second week of training for Marines attending the pre-scout sniper course aboard Camp Pendleton California.

Marines with 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct urban operations training at the Infantry Immersion Trainer aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 24, 2014. The IIT assists Marines in sharpening their basic combat skills by creating a realistic combat environment. Civilian role players occupy the training town, acting as either innocent bystanders, allied armed forces, law enforcement personnel or enemy insurgents, most of whom don’t speak English when in character. - Marines with 1st Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, conduct urban operations training at the Infantry Immersion Trainer aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 24, 2014. The IIT assists Marines in sharpening their basic combat skills by creating a realistic combat environment. Civilian role players occupy the training town, acting as either innocent bystanders, allied armed forces, law enforcement personnel or enemy insurgents, most of whom don’t speak English when in character.

San Francisco native 1st Lt. Stephanie Bohlen, a forward operations officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, participated in setting up a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief village for San Francisco Fleet Week 2014, Oct. 10. During the course of fleet week, Marines have been demonstrating assets available for the Bay Area in response to a sudden crisis. The intent is to showcase amphibious nature, readiness and the ability to respond to disasters and highlight the role the Navy-Marine Corps team can play in assisting disaster victims. - San Francisco native 1st Lt. Stephanie Bohlen, a forward operations officer with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, participated in setting up a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief village for San Francisco Fleet Week 2014, Oct. 10. During the course of fleet week, Marines have been demonstrating assets available for the Bay Area in response to a sudden crisis. The intent is to showcase amphibious nature, readiness and the ability to respond to disasters and highlight the role the Navy-Marine Corps team can play in assisting disaster victims.