Colonel Kenneth R. Kassner is congratulated by Marines and Sailors after taking command of the 5th Marine Regiment from Col. Jason Q. Bohm aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 24, 2015. Kassner most recently served as the assistant chief of staff, programming and requirements, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command. - Colonel Kenneth R. Kassner is congratulated by Marines and Sailors after taking command of the 5th Marine Regiment from Col. Jason Q. Bohm aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 24, 2015. Kassner most recently served as the assistant chief of staff, programming and requirements, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.
A mortarman with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, establishes the direction of fires for his 60 millimeter mortar team during 1/7’s Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., June 9, 2015. Marines from 1/7 and 2nd battalion, 7th Marine Regiment are currently in preparation for deployment with the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) scheduled to depart in support of Operation Inherent Resolve later this year. - A mortarman with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, establishes the direction of fires for his 60 millimeter mortar team during 1/7’s Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., June 9, 2015. Marines from 1/7 and 2nd battalion, 7th Marine Regiment are currently in preparation for deployment with the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) scheduled to depart in support of Operation Inherent Resolve later this year.
Marines with the 1st Marine Division explain the capabilities of different weapon systems and gear they use to community leaders from across Southern California aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 13, 2015. The guests were given an opportunity to experience the training and atmosphere the Marines and Sailors endure on deployment through a demonstration at the Infantry Immersion Training Facility. - Marines with the 1st Marine Division explain the capabilities of different weapon systems and gear they use to community leaders from across Southern California aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 13, 2015. The guests were given an opportunity to experience the training and atmosphere the Marines and Sailors endure on deployment through a demonstration at the Infantry Immersion Training Facility.
Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, members of the Coast Guard’s Maritime Safety and Security team, and Air Force Pararescuemen trained together during Exercise Angel Thunder off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 9-11, 2015. Exercise Angel Thunder is a joint personnel recovery operation designed to provide military branches and partner nations the opportunity to train together in order to prepare for times of war and crisis. (Photo by LCpl. Danielle Rodrigues/Released) - Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, members of the Coast Guard’s Maritime Safety and Security team, and Air Force Pararescuemen trained together during Exercise Angel Thunder off the coast of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 9-11, 2015. Exercise Angel Thunder is a joint personnel recovery operation designed to provide military branches and partner nations the opportunity to train together in order to prepare for times of war and crisis. (Photo by LCpl. Danielle Rodrigues/Released)
A Marine assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, prepares an M777 howitzer to fire at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, June 17, 2015. CH-53E Super Stallions transported howitzers and ammunition as part of 1/11’s quarterly exercise to test the artillery Marines’ proficiency and readiness. - A Marine assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, prepares an M777 howitzer to fire at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, June 17, 2015. CH-53E Super Stallions transported howitzers and ammunition as part of 1/11’s quarterly exercise to test the artillery Marines’ proficiency and readiness.
Sergeant Major William T. Sowers receives a Marine non-commissioned officer’s sword as he takes over the role of 1st Marine Division Sergeant Major during a relief and appointment ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 12, 2015. Sowers most recently served as the sergeant major for the Marine Corps Training and Education Command in Quantico, Va. - Sergeant Major William T. Sowers receives a Marine non-commissioned officer’s sword as he takes over the role of 1st Marine Division Sergeant Major during a relief and appointment ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 12, 2015. Sowers most recently served as the sergeant major for the Marine Corps Training and Education Command in Quantico, Va.
U.S. Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, rehearse urban operation tactics aboard USS Rushmore at sea in the Pacific Ocean, June 1, 2015. BLT 3/1 constantly trains for the unknown in order to respond to the needs of the MEU while deployed. These drills keep the Marines in a constant state of combat readiness while at sea. - U.S. Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, rehearse urban operation tactics aboard USS Rushmore at sea in the Pacific Ocean, June 1, 2015. BLT 3/1 constantly trains for the unknown in order to respond to the needs of the MEU while deployed. These drills keep the Marines in a constant state of combat readiness while at sea.
U.S. Marine Cpl. Roman Fernandez, right, gets Vaseline applied to his face to compensate for glove friction in the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, May 29, 2015. Fernandez is a team leader with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Marines find unique ways to continue to maintain combat readiness during their seven-month deployment through the Pacific and Central Command areas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Elize McKelvey/released) - U.S. Marine Cpl. Roman Fernandez, right, gets Vaseline applied to his face to compensate for glove friction in the hangar bay of the USS Essex (LHD 2) at sea in the Pacific Ocean, May 29, 2015. Fernandez is a team leader with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The Marines find unique ways to continue to maintain combat readiness during their seven-month deployment through the Pacific and Central Command areas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Elize McKelvey/released)
Tony Horton, the creator the fitness program P90X, speaks to Marines assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 9, 2015. Horton believes Marines need to focus on nutrition and a wide variety of exercises to be ready for any mission as may be directed. (U.S. Marine photo by Cpl. Will Perkins/RELEASED) - Tony Horton, the creator the fitness program P90X, speaks to Marines assigned to 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 9, 2015. Horton believes Marines need to focus on nutrition and a wide variety of exercises to be ready for any mission as may be directed. (U.S. Marine photo by Cpl. Will Perkins/RELEASED)
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus speaks at a Navy Cross Presentation Ceremony in honor of the late Sgt. Rafael Peralta, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 8, 2015. Sgt. Rafael Peralta was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously after sacrificing his life by absorbing the blast of an enemy grenade and shielding fellow Marines only feet away while serving with Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division in Fallujah, Al Anbar province, Iraq, on Nov. 15, 2004. - Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus speaks at a Navy Cross Presentation Ceremony in honor of the late Sgt. Rafael Peralta, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, June 8, 2015. Sgt. Rafael Peralta was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously after sacrificing his life by absorbing the blast of an enemy grenade and shielding fellow Marines only feet away while serving with Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division in Fallujah, Al Anbar province, Iraq, on Nov. 15, 2004.