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1st Sgt. Jose Guerreiro-Pereira, the company first sergeant of the Ground Combat Element for Security Cooperation Task Force, Africa Partnership Station 2012 has spent over 16 years rising through the ranks of the United States Marine Corps, gaining a greater understanding of courage and the traits which define a leader. - 1st Sgt. Jose Guerreiro-Pereira, the company first sergeant of the Ground Combat Element for Security Cooperation Task Force, Africa Partnership Station 2012 has spent over 16 years rising through the ranks of the United States Marine Corps, gaining a greater understanding of courage and the traits which define a leader.

Philadelphia native, Cpl. Jason M. Hassinger (center right), receives the Silver Star Medal from Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan, the outgoing commanding general of 2nd Marine Division during the 2nd Marine Division change of command ceremony Aug. 23 aboard Camp Lejeune. Hassinger received the Silver Star for his actions during an ambushed patrol in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, in which he led his section through intense fire to rescue a group of fellow Marines pinned down by the enemy. Hassinger was shot four times during the incident but continued to fight until the enemy retreated. The Silver Star is the third-highest award a U.S. service member can receive for valor in combat. - Philadelphia native, Cpl. Jason M. Hassinger (center right), receives the Silver Star Medal from Maj. Gen. John A. Toolan, the outgoing commanding general of 2nd Marine Division during the 2nd Marine Division change of command ceremony Aug. 23 aboard Camp Lejeune. Hassinger received the Silver Star for his actions during an ambushed patrol in Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, in which he led his section through intense fire to rescue a group of fellow Marines pinned down by the enemy. Hassinger was shot four times during the incident but continued to fight until the enemy retreated. The Silver Star is the third-highest award a U.S. service member can receive for valor in combat.

Staff Sgt. Matthew E.Faircloth, the section leader with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with a combat distinguishing device Aug. 23 during the 2nd Marine Division change of command ceremony. Faircloth, a Hedgesville, W. Va., native, earned the award for his actions in combat on February 16, 2011. - Staff Sgt. Matthew E.Faircloth, the section leader with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with a combat distinguishing device Aug. 23 during the 2nd Marine Division change of command ceremony. Faircloth, a Hedgesville, W. Va., native, earned the award for his actions in combat on February 16, 2011.

Private First Class Luis Rivera, an Oviedo, Fla. native and mortarman with Hellfire Platoon, Weapons Co., 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment employs an 81mm mortar during a training exercise aboard base, August 14. Rivera and the other Marines of 3/2 conducted a two-day fire support coordination exercise August 14-15 in conjunction with artillery, naval guns and close air support. - Private First Class Luis Rivera, an Oviedo, Fla. native and mortarman with Hellfire Platoon, Weapons Co., 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment employs an 81mm mortar during a training exercise aboard base, August 14. Rivera and the other Marines of 3/2 conducted a two-day fire support coordination exercise August 14-15 in conjunction with artillery, naval guns and close air support.

Lance Cpl. Joaquin Nuñez, a food service specialist with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division and Chicago native, scoops mashed potatoes into a serving pan for the Field Mess Competition, August 3, 2012. 1/6 Food Service, with help from food service Marines with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines represented Division in a II Marine Expeditionary Force-wide field mess competition, August 3, 2012 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Steve Cushman) - Lance Cpl. Joaquin Nuñez, a food service specialist with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division and Chicago native, scoops mashed potatoes into a serving pan for the Field Mess Competition, August 3, 2012. 1/6 Food Service, with help from food service Marines with 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines represented Division in a II Marine Expeditionary Force-wide field mess competition, August 3, 2012 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Steve Cushman)

The tanker community came together August 1 to witness the change of command for 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Lieutenant Col. John M. Schaar of Philadelphia relinquished command as battalion commander to Lt. Col. Jon M. Lauder of Hastings, Minn. - The tanker community came together August 1 to witness the change of command for 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Lieutenant Col. John M. Schaar of Philadelphia relinquished command as battalion commander to Lt. Col. Jon M. Lauder of Hastings, Minn.

Marines and sailors visited the 2nd Marine Division training center July 17 as part of an open house to show them the Unmanned Aircraft Systems that they would be learning to use in combat and training. With planes on display Marines were able to see what they would be flying, what the different specifications were for each plane and what they were designed for. - Marines and sailors visited the 2nd Marine Division training center July 17 as part of an open house to show them the Unmanned Aircraft Systems that they would be learning to use in combat and training. With planes on display Marines were able to see what they would be flying, what the different specifications were for each plane and what they were designed for.

Colonel Michael H. Brown (right), the commanding officer of Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, relinquishes command of the battalion by ceremoniously passing the battalion’s colors to Col. James B. “Beau” Higgins during the Headquarters Battalion change of command on base, Aug. 3, 2012. The Marines and sailors of Headquarters Battalion welcome Higgins, who recently completed a tour with the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan, as their new commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde) - Colonel Michael H. Brown (right), the commanding officer of Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, relinquishes command of the battalion by ceremoniously passing the battalion’s colors to Col. James B. “Beau” Higgins during the Headquarters Battalion change of command on base, Aug. 3, 2012. The Marines and sailors of Headquarters Battalion welcome Higgins, who recently completed a tour with the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command – Afghanistan, as their new commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde)

Cpl. John L. Caldwell (middle), a fire team leader with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, and State College, Pa., native, radios in a casualty, as Lance Cpl. Jared P. Kalarovich, a rifleman with the unit and Port St. Lucie, Fla., native, provides security. Marines and sailors with Company E practiced counter-IED training July 30- August 2. - Cpl. John L. Caldwell (middle), a fire team leader with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, and State College, Pa., native, radios in a casualty, as Lance Cpl. Jared P. Kalarovich, a rifleman with the unit and Port St. Lucie, Fla., native, provides security. Marines and sailors with Company E practiced counter-IED training July 30- August 2.