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U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Johvany Moize, a Brooklyn, New York native and machine gunner with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, poses for a photo with his father during Continuing Promise 2022 in Jeremie, Haiti, Dec. 14, 2022.“[Being naturalized] was a good feeling,” said Moize. “It didn’t feel real to me that I was an actual citizen. To come from Haiti and go to the United States and you become a citizen, that’s a big thing. That’s something you should be proud of for your whole life.” The Continuing Promise mission includes providing direct medical care and expeditionary veterinary care, conducting training and subject matter expert exchanges on various medical and humanitarian civic assistance topics, and leading seminars on Women, Peace, and Security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy) - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Johvany Moize, a Brooklyn, New York native and machine gunner with 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, poses for a photo with his father during Continuing Promise 2022 in Jeremie, Haiti, Dec. 14, 2022. “[Being naturalized] was a good feeling,” said Moize. “It didn’t feel real to me that I was an actual citizen. To come from Haiti and go to the United States and you become a citizen, that’s a big thing. That’s something you should be proud of for your whole life.” The Continuing Promise mission includes providing direct medical care and expeditionary veterinary care, conducting training and subject matter expert exchanges on various medical and humanitarian civic assistance topics, and leading seminars on Women, Peace, and Security. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy)

Full Circle - Newly Naturalized Marine Reunites with his Community on Deployment in Haiti

The United States Marine Corps is an organization that brings together Marines and Sailors from diverse cultures and backgrounds for a collective cause, to protect the Nation and assist those in need. Each year, Marines born in different countries are naturalized to become United States citizens. On December 2, 2022, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment (V18), 2d Marine Division conducted a naturalization ceremony aboard Battleship North Carolina. Eighteen Marines from fourteen different countries were naturalized that day, making it one of the largest naturalization ceremonies ever for a Marine infantry battalion. Four days after this historic naturalization, one of the new United States citizens, Private First Class Johvany Moize, prepared to deploy aboard the USNS Comfort, to provide humanitarian relief to Haiti, the same country where he was born and raised. Moize, a nineteen year old machine gunner with V18, grew up in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the capital city that sits on the Gulf of Gonave. “Seeing my community and helping them was a great feeling, I wanted to do everything to help them. Give them food, water, everything possible. I even worked outside of my duties to make sure they were taken care of.” During this humanitarian mission, Moize was a vital asset in its success as he provided security and cleared the pier each morning of any potential threats to the immediate area. He also acted as a liaison between the Haitian National Police and the Marine Corps, helping translate between both forces to assist patients who were trying to receive medical help. For as long as he could remember, Moize wanted to become a United States Marine. He recalls the positive impact Marines had in his childhood when a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck his hometown in Haiti, claiming the lives of over 220,000 people, and injuring many more. The earthquake left Haitians in desperate need of food, water, and shelter, as the fragile infrastructure was destroyed and turned into rubble. “It was around 2010 there was a big earthquake, and after the earthquake the Marines came,” recalled Moize. “They gave us food and water, and helicopters came and gave us MREs. I saw that as an inspiration, I wanted to help people too. When I came to America one of my dreams was to become a Marine, because of what they did for us when I was in Haiti.” Moize’s experience as a Marine came full circle when he reunited with his father during his deployment to Haiti with V18. “The last time I saw my dad was 7 years ago,” said Moize. “I didn’t get to see him the day I left [Haiti].” As a result of the historic naturalization this month, Moize, one of the eighteen Marines naturalized, was able to give back to his community while embracing his legacy as a United States Marine. Moize’s unique story is one of many Marines who immigrate to the United States in search of better opportunities. “I still can’t believe it. It feels like I’m dreaming. I feel proud of myself. My dad is proud of me and my country is proud of me.”

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Command and Control

As the ground combat element of II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2d Marine Division, remains a force in readiness to support global operations.

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U.S. Marine Corps Col. Andrew Kelley, the regimental commander of 10th Marine Regiment, present the guidon to Maj. Christopher Tyson, the battery commander of Fire Support Battery, 10th Marines, during the battery activation ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 7, 2022. This activation will give fire support Marines the opportunity to gain additional capabilities that will increase their ability to produce lethal and non-lethal effects across the battlefield. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Kimberlyn Patterson) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Andrew Kelley, the regimental commander of 10th Marine Regiment, present the guidon to Maj. Christopher Tyson, the battery commander of Fire Support Battery, 10th Marines, during the battery activation ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 7, 2022.

Regimental Fire Support Battery Activates

U.S. Marines with 10th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, activated the first regimental fire support battery during a ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 7, 2022. This activation will give fire support Marines the opportunity to gain additional capabilities to increase their lethal and non-lethal effects across the battlefield.

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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jacob Shepard, a Brentwood, Tennessee, native and a rifleman with 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, participates in his reenlistment ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Oct. 7, 2022. Shepard’s reenlistment demonstrates his fidelity and commitment to the United States Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Virtue) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jacob Shepard, a Brentwood, Tennessee, native and a rifleman with 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, participates in his reenlistment ceremony on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

This is home: Lance Cpl. Shepard's Reenlistment Ceremony

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jacob Shepard, a Brentwood, Tennessee, native and rifleman with 2d Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment reenlistments on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

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U.S. Marines with 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, fire a TOW missile system over water on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 19, 2022. In order to enhance the Marine Corps’ capability to control littoral areas with a reduced footprint, 2d LAR facilitated the employment of a TOW missile fired from a LAV-AT utilizing a radio frequency signal between the launch tube and missile. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Emma Gray) - U.S. Marines with 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, fire a TOW missile system over water on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 19, 2022.

Target Engaged

A U.S. Marine Corps light armored vehicle makes its way down the beach. Marines with 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, conduct system checks and retrieve coordinates for the target placed off the coast of Onslow Beach. Once locked on the coordinates, the command is given, “fire, fire, fire.”

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U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Munger, with the Marine Corps Shooting Team, prepares to shoot his rifle during the 2022 National Matches on Camp Perry, Ohio, Aug. 3, 2022. Participants compete in six-man-teams, each shooter firing a timed 100-point aggregate using national match M-16 A4 service rifles. Rifles are fired from the 200, 300 and 600 yard lines in both sitting and standing positions. The National Matches, also called the “World Series of Shooting Sports,” have been a tradition on Camp Perry since 1907; more than 4,500 participants compete annually. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caden Phillips) - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Munger, with the Marine Corps Shooting Team, prepares to shoot his rifle during the 2022 National Matches on Camp Perry, Ohio, Aug. 3, 2022.

Shoot Your Shot

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Munger, with the Marine Corps Shooting Team, prepares to shoot his rifle during the 2022 National Matches on Camp Perry, Ohio, Aug. 3, 2022.

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U.S. Marine Corps Col. Steven Sutey, 2d Marine Regiment commanding officer, presents Lance Cpl. Ryan Liston with the Navy and Marine Corps Medal at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 26, 2022. Lance Cpl. Liston was awarded for heroic actions during a training accident in Oman while deployed with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2019. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Megan Ozaki) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Steven Sutey, 2d Marine Regiment commanding officer, presents Lance Cpl. Ryan Liston with the Navy and Marine Corps Medal at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 26, 2022.

Lance Cpl. Ryan Liston awarded the Navy Marine Corps Medal

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Ryan Liston, a Broward County, Florida native and infantryman with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 26, 2022.

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Courtland Mabe, a Douglasville, Georgia, native and anti-tank missile gunner with 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, recites the Oath of Enlistment on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 6, 2022. Mabe was selected for reenlistment through the Commandant’s Retention Program which allows Marines that embody the whole Marine concept and represent the top echelon of Marines to bypass the twenty-step reenlistment process. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Courtland Mabe, a Douglasville, Georgia, native and anti-tank missile gunner with 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division, recites the Oath of Enlistment on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 6, 2022.

Four More, For the Corps: Cpl. Mabe Commandant Retention Program Reenlistment

Cpl. Mabe recollects on what it takes to be recognized as a top performer within his MOS and gives advice on what Marines should strive to emulate.

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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Giovannii Lobo, 6th Marine Regiment sergeant major, reads a re-enlistment citation after a ceremony at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery marking the 104th anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood, May 29, 2022. The Battle of Belleau Wood is remembered for the intensity of the fighting and sustained, as well as for the participation of the 5th and 6th Marine Regiments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jennifer E. Reyes) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Giovannii Lobo, 6th Marine Regiment sergeant major, reads a re-enlistment citation after a ceremony at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery marking the 104th anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood, May 29, 2022.