Sergeant Charles Swope, assistant team leader, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, earned his Masters of Business Administration, completing part of his degree while on his two deployments to Afghanistan. Swope, a native of Coral Springs, Fla., said the hardest part of completing his course load was dealing with the stress of being in a combat zone while still performing in his classes. He will attend his commencement ceremony May 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. James Gulliver/Released) - Sergeant Charles Swope, assistant team leader, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, earned his Masters of Business Administration, completing part of his degree while on his two deployments to Afghanistan. Swope, a native of Coral Springs, Fla., said the hardest part of completing his course load was dealing with the stress of being in a combat zone while still performing in his classes. He will attend his commencement ceremony May 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. James Gulliver/Released)
Sergeant Misha Nassiri, ammunition technician, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, won her first professional mixed martial arts fight Jan. 18, 2014 at Valley Center, Calif. Nassiri, a native of San Diego, won the match by technical knockout in the first 20 seconds of round one. - Sergeant Misha Nassiri, ammunition technician, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, won her first professional mixed martial arts fight Jan. 18, 2014 at Valley Center, Calif. Nassiri, a native of San Diego, won the match by technical knockout in the first 20 seconds of round one.
Lance Cpl. Hayden Parker, rifleman, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and a native of Florence, Ariz., provides security for his fire team during an Urban Operations exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 9, 2014. The training area tested the Marines’ knowledge and skills on operations in austere conditions. The range portrayed how an urban battlefield may look in a combat environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released) - Lance Cpl. Hayden Parker, rifleman, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and a native of Florence, Ariz., provides security for his fire team during an Urban Operations exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 9, 2014. The training area tested the Marines’ knowledge and skills on operations in austere conditions. The range portrayed how an urban battlefield may look in a combat environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Moore/Released)
Staff Sgt. Timothy Williams, a section leader with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, receives the Silver Star Medal and Purple Heart from Lt. Gen. John Toolan, commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, during an award ceremony held at Camp Las Flores, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 7, 2014. Williams, a native of Hudson, Mich., was recognized for his heroic actions in Afghanistan when he maintained a tactical advantage while being ambushed by a larger enemy force. Williams helped save the lives of multiple Marines and destroyed several enemy positions during the 10 hour attack. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Boynes/released) - Staff Sgt. Timothy Williams, a section leader with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, receives the Silver Star Medal and Purple Heart from Lt. Gen. John Toolan, commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force, during an award ceremony held at Camp Las Flores, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 7, 2014. Williams, a native of Hudson, Mich., was recognized for his heroic actions in Afghanistan when he maintained a tactical advantage while being ambushed by a larger enemy force. Williams helped save the lives of multiple Marines and destroyed several enemy positions during the 10 hour attack. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jonathan Boynes/released)