Lance Cpl. Tyler Stoneman, a fireteam leader with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, maneuvers toward a trench during a training exercise as part of the Forge Academy Sept. 18 on base. The Forge Academy is an approximately four-week long course designed to improve the proficiency of 1/6’s fireteam leaders. Throughout the course, the students were educated on troop welfare, the psychological and physiological effects of combat, infantry tactics and the responsibilities of being a fireteam leader. - Lance Cpl. Tyler Stoneman, a fireteam leader with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, maneuvers toward a trench during a training exercise as part of the Forge Academy Sept. 18 on base. The Forge Academy is an approximately four-week long course designed to improve the proficiency of 1/6’s fireteam leaders. Throughout the course, the students were educated on troop welfare, the psychological and physiological effects of combat, infantry tactics and the responsibilities of being a fireteam leader.

Lieutenant Col. Kevin Clark of Smithville, Mo., and the commanding officer for 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, presents the 2/8 Olympics trophy to a representative for Headquarters and Support Company. The unit gave their weathered camouflage utilities a week-long break to carry out a battalion size Olympics promoting unit cohesion and competitive spirits. - Lieutenant Col. Kevin Clark of Smithville, Mo., and the commanding officer for 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, presents the 2/8 Olympics trophy to a representative for Headquarters and Support Company. The unit gave their weathered camouflage utilities a week-long break to carry out a battalion size Olympics promoting unit cohesion and competitive spirits.

Marines from Headquarters Company, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, secure a landing zone Sept. 12 during a regimental field exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Steve Cushman) - Marines from Headquarters Company, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, secure a landing zone Sept. 12 during a regimental field exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Steve Cushman)

1st Lt. Robert Palumbo, is awarded a Purple Heart Medal August 31 by Brig. Gen. James W. Lukeman, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division. Palumbo, a Killingworth, Conn., native, earned the award for his actions in combat on January 10, 2012 while leading his section in support of Operation Enduring Freedom while serving as a team leader for Border Advisory Team 2, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, 2nd Marine Division (Forward). (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Phillip R. Clark) - 1st Lt. Robert Palumbo, is awarded a Purple Heart Medal August 31 by Brig. Gen. James W. Lukeman, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division. Palumbo, a Killingworth, Conn., native, earned the award for his actions in combat on January 10, 2012 while leading his section in support of Operation Enduring Freedom while serving as a team leader for Border Advisory Team 2, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, 2nd Marine Division (Forward). (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Phillip R. Clark)

Sergeant Major Raymond Mackey (middle) stands amongst the Marine volunteers with the Semper Fi Fund, who helped renovate his house, Aug. 30. Mackey, who lost both legs to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan, 2009, had difficulty moving about his house on prosthetic legs. The Semper Fi Fund and the Home Depot Foundation renovated his house to help alleviate some of the new obstacles he now encounters in a daily life. - Sergeant Major Raymond Mackey (middle) stands amongst the Marine volunteers with the Semper Fi Fund, who helped renovate his house, Aug. 30. Mackey, who lost both legs to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan, 2009, had difficulty moving about his house on prosthetic legs. The Semper Fi Fund and the Home Depot Foundation renovated his house to help alleviate some of the new obstacles he now encounters in a daily life.