1ST TANK BN

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U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Edgar Maldonado Jr., a main battle tank technician with 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, stages a M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicle in preparation for exercise Comanche Run at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Jan. 28, 2019. Comanche Run consists of mobilization and embarkation procedures, offensive and defensive monitoring evaluation teams that provide the battalion the opportunity to improve its combat readiness, resiliency, and its ability to fight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sahara A. Zepeda)

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U.S. Marines with 1st Tank Battalion, move to their combat operation center, during exercise Steel Knight (SK) 2019 at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 4, 2018. SK is an annual exercise used to enhance the Marines' and Sailors' skills, tactics, and combat readiness by performing in various dynamic scenarios, ground combat maneuver operations, and live fire ranges. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Robert G. Gavaldon)

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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Everett Libolt, a missile gunner with 1st Tank Battalion, fires a M16 rifle during the live fire portion of the 1st Marine Division (MARDIV) Super Squad Competition at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 30, 2018. The competition tests the Marines in a broad spectrum of infantry related skills to include offensive and defensive operations, patrolling techniques, and combat marksmanship, to determine the best squad within 1st MARDIV. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Audrey M.C. Rampton)

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U.S. Marines with 1st Tank Battalion, patrol during the 1st Marine Division (MARDIV) Super Squad Competition at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 29, 2018. The competition tests the Marines in a broad spectrum of infantry related skills to include offensive and defensive operations, patrolling techniques, and combat marksmanship, to determine the best squad within 1st MARDIV. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Luis Quinones III)

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Henry Young, an anti-tank missile gunner with 1st Tank Battalion, provides security for a patrol during the 1st Marine Division (MARDIV) Super Squad Competition at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 29, 2018. The competition tests the Marines in a broad spectrum of infantry related skills to include offensive and defensive operations, patrolling techniques, and combat marksmanship, to determine the best squad within 1st MARDIV. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Luis Quinones III)

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U.S. Marines with 1st Tanks Battalion, 1st Marine Division (MARDIV), listen to a safety brief during the Rifle Squad Competition on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 27, 2018. The units competed against each other to determine which squad will participate in the 1st MARDIV Infantry Competition in late August 2018.

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U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Henry Young an anti-tank missleman with 1st Tanks Battalion, 1st Marine Division (MARDIV), competes during the Rifle Squad Competition on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 27, 2018. The units competed against each other to determine which squad will participate in the 1st MARDIV Infantry Competition in late August 2018.

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U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Alex W. Michael, an antitank missile gunner with 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (MARDIV), looks through a lensatic compass during the Rifle Squad Competition on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 27, 2018. The units competed against each other to determine which squad will participate in the 1st MARDIV Infantry Competition in late August 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alexa M. Hernandez)

1st Tank Battalion

The 35th commandant of the Marine Corps, General James F. Amos, visits Marines and Sailors

The 35th commandant of the Marine Corps, General James F. Amos, visits Marines and Sailors during a battlefield circulation at Forward Operating Base Shir Gazay, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on June 19, 2013. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mallory S. VanderSchans)(RELEASED)

Dust Storm

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, wait out a dust storm on Camp Bastion, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 15, 2013.

Operation California

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Paul Gates, commanding officer, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, pauses during a dismounted patrol with Afghan National Civil Order Policemen during Operation California in Kajaki district, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 28, 2013.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. James L. Terry addresses U.S.Marines and Sailors

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. James L. Terry, commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, addresses U.S.Marines and Sailors assigned to Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 7 on Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, April 22, 2013.

Setting up SNAP Satellite Communications System

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Zachary Schaible, left, and Cpl. Andrew Sanders, assigned to Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 7, set up Secure Internet Protocol and Non-secure Internet Protocol Router Access Point (SNAP) satellite communications system on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 24, 2013.

Waiting in Formation

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Peter Estridge and Maj. Paul Harris, both assigned to Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 7 share a moment of levity while waiting in formation on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, May 1, 2013.

A U.S. Marine M1A1 Abrams tank with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7

A U.S. Marine M1A1 Abrams tank with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7, is staged on forward operating base Shir Ghazay, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 25, 2013.

Taking a Pause from Conducting Function Checks

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Phillip Lim, left, and Cpl. Brandon Baber, both assigned to Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7, take a pause from conducting function checks on an M1A1 Abrams tank on forward operating base Shir Ghazay, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 25, 2013.

Lance Cpl. Christopher Melin, a loader with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher Melin, a loader with Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 7, pauses from conducting function checks on an M1A1 Abrams tank on forward operating base Shir Ghazay, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 25, 2013.

Touring a M1A1 Abrams tank

U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Robert Oak, left, Civil Affairs operations chief, Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 7, and Georgian Army Capt. Mikheil Mazmishvili, tour a M1A1 Abrams tank on forward operating base Shir Ghazay, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 25, 2013.

Small Arms Live Fire Training

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jared Bailey, from Higden, Ark., assigned to Afghan National Civil Order Police Kandak 1 Advisor Team, Regimental Combat Team 7, conducts small arms live fire training on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 25, 2013.

1st Lt. Conor Shannon and Cpl. Jared Bailey maneuver between stations

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Conor Shannon, left, and Cpl. Jared Bailey, both assigned to Afghan National Civil Order Police Kandak 1 Advisor Team, Regimental Combat Team 7, maneuver between stations while conducting small arms live fire training on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 25, 2013.

Combat Camera Imagery April 15-May 1, 2013

Story

Costa Mesa Police Officers visit Marines of 1st Tank Battalion

Costa Mesa Police Officers visit Marines of 1st Tank Battalion and get an inside look at the M1A1 Abrams Tank at the battalion's tank ramp June 28, 2012. The Marines also got an up close look at the officers' motorcycles.

1st Tanks' Field Meet

Cpl. Joshua Pacheco, motor transport operator, 1st Tank Battalion, helps the Motor T Team in the pull-ups portion of 1st Tanks' field meet at Del Valle Field Aug. 31, 2012. The Motor T team went on to win the meet for the second time in a row.

First Lt. MarkAnthony Villanueva, platoon commander, 1st Tank Battalion, takes the center position in the tug of war during the 1st Tanks' field meet at Del Valle Field Aug. 31, 2012.

1st Tanks' Field Meet

Cpl. John Stewie, mechanic, 1st Tanks, throws the 42-pound Tank Bar in the Tank Bar Toss during the 1st Tanks' field meet at Del Valle Field Aug. 31, 2012.

1st Tanks' Field Meet

First Lt. MarkAnthony Villanueva, platoon commander, 1st Tank Battalion, takes the center position in the tug of war during the 1st Tanks' field meet at Del Valle Field Aug. 31, 2012.

Mission

To close with and destroy the enemy using expeditionary armor-protected firepower, shock effect, and maneuver in support of the MAGTF across the range of military operations.

Philosophy of Command

Do Right and Fear No One: One can take from this that 1st Tank Battalion will focus on desired results, not the consequences of failure. We have all volunteered to serve during an uncertain time. We must keep our honor clean and know that our actions today will follow us for a lifetime.

Daily Duty: Whether Marine, Sailor, or family member, we all have a duty and we must fulfill this responsibility daily. Taking care of one another is our #1 priority. It is the daily duty of every Marine and Sailor in 1st Tank Battalion to: find a coworker doing a great job and thank them, find a problem and fix it, teach someone something, and learn something.

The Tanker Triad: We will achieve operational excellence by relentlessly pursuing brilliance in the basics. Preparing our Marines and Sailors to fight and win in combat is the most import thing we do and there are no short cuts. As a tank battalion we will pursue excellence in the following: gunnery, tactics, and maintenance.

Be the hunter: We will seek to seize the initiative in everything we do. We must influence the action when/where possible. We must maintain our situational awareness in order to positively influence events. We will not win playing defense!

Accountability: Every Marine and Sailor in will be held responsible for their actions. By questioning something that does not look right or by having the courage to say, "Stop," we can avert mishap every day.

Crisis: They will come. Who we are will be determined by how we respond.

1st Tank Battalion Leaders