Corporal Justin A. Bopp, the reproduction graphics production chief with 1st Marine Division Combat Camera, and a native of Des Moines, Iowa, placed in several categories in the 2013 Visual Information Awards Program contest. Most notably, he placed first in publication and was the runner up for military graphic artist of the year. The VIAP contest is a prestigious competition held by the Defense Information School aboard Fort George G. Meade, Md. The service members products were evaluated by professional judges who all were experts in their fields. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Silvano/released) - Corporal Justin A. Bopp, the reproduction graphics production chief with 1st Marine Division Combat Camera, and a native of Des Moines, Iowa, placed in several categories in the 2013 Visual Information Awards Program contest. Most notably, he placed first in publication and was the runner up for military graphic artist of the year. The VIAP contest is a prestigious competition held by the Defense Information School aboard Fort George G. Meade, Md. The service members products were evaluated by professional judges who all were experts in their fields. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Silvano/released)
Marine Corps Master Sgt. Randy Messineo, operation chief, Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, and a native of Boston, salutes the crew of a C-130 Hercules aircraft as he jumps out of it during a double-bag static line course held in Parker, Ariz., March 24, 2014. A static line is a cord attached from one end of the aircraft to the other. When the Marine jumps from the plane, the line pulls the deployment bag out of the pack on the Marine’s back causing the parachute to inflate. - Marine Corps Master Sgt. Randy Messineo, operation chief, Company B, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, and a native of Boston, salutes the crew of a C-130 Hercules aircraft as he jumps out of it during a double-bag static line course held in Parker, Ariz., March 24, 2014. A static line is a cord attached from one end of the aircraft to the other. When the Marine jumps from the plane, the line pulls the deployment bag out of the pack on the Marine’s back causing the parachute to inflate.
Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, are served a hot meal during a warrior night after completing a nine-day field exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 19, 2014. The training consisted of live-fire maneuvers, a gas chamber, combat marksmanship training and counter improvised explosive device training. The warrior night rewarded the Marines for their performance during the exercise by serving them a well deserved hot meal and dessert. - Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, are served a hot meal during a warrior night after completing a nine-day field exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 19, 2014. The training consisted of live-fire maneuvers, a gas chamber, combat marksmanship training and counter improvised explosive device training. The warrior night rewarded the Marines for their performance during the exercise by serving them a well deserved hot meal and dessert.
Major Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, commanding general of 1st Marine Division, congratulates 1st Lt. Thuymi Dinh, communications officer, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment on earning the Camp Pendleton female athlete of the year award at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 10, 2014. Dinh, a native of Anaheim, Calif., has participated in numerous triathlons and says she hopes to one day complete an ironman triathlon. Dinh also was a runner up in the Marine Corps female athlete of the year award. She will deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom later this year. - Major Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, commanding general of 1st Marine Division, congratulates 1st Lt. Thuymi Dinh, communications officer, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment on earning the Camp Pendleton female athlete of the year award at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 10, 2014. Dinh, a native of Anaheim, Calif., has participated in numerous triathlons and says she hopes to one day complete an ironman triathlon. Dinh also was a runner up in the Marine Corps female athlete of the year award. She will deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom later this year.
Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, provide security during a Mission Rehearsal Exercise at Forward Operating Base Juno, Afghanistan, March 13, 2014. The Marines traveled to Forward Operating Base Juno 17, kilometers away, and provided security on three objectives while Afghan National Security Forces cleared the area of notional hostile threats. The MRX was a training mission to help prepare the infantrymen for potential future operations. - Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, provide security during a Mission Rehearsal Exercise at Forward Operating Base Juno, Afghanistan, March 13, 2014. The Marines traveled to Forward Operating Base Juno 17, kilometers away, and provided security on three objectives while Afghan National Security Forces cleared the area of notional hostile threats. The MRX was a training mission to help prepare the infantrymen for potential future operations.
Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, board the USS Freedom from a zodiac during on and off loading drills three miles off the coast of Del Mar beach Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 10, 2014. The Marines conducted a full day of rehearsals prior to the drills because it was their first time training on a littoral combat ship. The LCS gives Marines the opportunity to launch and recover reconnaissance teams from a greater distance out at sea. Gunnery Sgt. Mickey Eaton, assistant operations chief for the company, said the ability to use an LCS is the future for reconnaissance Marines. - Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, board the USS Freedom from a zodiac during on and off loading drills three miles off the coast of Del Mar beach Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 10, 2014. The Marines conducted a full day of rehearsals prior to the drills because it was their first time training on a littoral combat ship. The LCS gives Marines the opportunity to launch and recover reconnaissance teams from a greater distance out at sea. Gunnery Sgt. Mickey Eaton, assistant operations chief for the company, said the ability to use an LCS is the future for reconnaissance Marines.
A Marine with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion loads an M240 machine gun during a live-fire range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 6, 2014. The range was part of an eight-day machine gunners course. During the course, Marines learned the characteristics and the effective implementation of four weapon systems. The practical skills Marines learn during the course help enable them to be effective under a variety of combat scenarios. - A Marine with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion loads an M240 machine gun during a live-fire range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 6, 2014. The range was part of an eight-day machine gunners course. During the course, Marines learned the characteristics and the effective implementation of four weapon systems. The practical skills Marines learn during the course help enable them to be effective under a variety of combat scenarios.
Marines with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, stand at parade rest during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 7, 2014. Lieutenant Col. Mike Wilonsky assumed command of the battalion from Lt. Col. Robert Weiler. Weiler, a native of Arlington, Va., will be assuming the role of executive officer of 5th Marine Regiment. - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, stand at parade rest during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 7, 2014. Lieutenant Col. Mike Wilonsky assumed command of the battalion from Lt. Col. Robert Weiler. Weiler, a native of Arlington, Va., will be assuming the role of executive officer of 5th Marine Regiment.
1st Lt. Kenneth Conover, executive officer, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, received the Silver Star Medal from Lt. Gen. John Toolan, commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, during an award ceremony held at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Feb. 18, 2014. Conover, a Native of Fallbrook, Calif., was recognized for his heroic actions in Afghanistan where he held off multiple attacks over a six-day period. Conover saved the lives of multiple Marines during the operation. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/released) - 1st Lt. Kenneth Conover, executive officer, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, received the Silver Star Medal from Lt. Gen. John Toolan, commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, during an award ceremony held at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Feb. 18, 2014. Conover, a Native of Fallbrook, Calif., was recognized for his heroic actions in Afghanistan where he held off multiple attacks over a six-day period. Conover saved the lives of multiple Marines during the operation. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/released)