Warrington, Pa., native Rear Adm. Margaret G. Kibben, the chaplain of the Marine Corps, congratulates Lake Orion, Mich., native Navy Capt. Steven Brown on being awarded the John H. Craven Servant Leadership Award. Brown was presented the award for his accomplishments as the chaplain for II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Afghanistan. - Warrington, Pa., native Rear Adm. Margaret G. Kibben, the chaplain of the Marine Corps, congratulates Lake Orion, Mich., native Navy Capt. Steven Brown on being awarded the John H. Craven Servant Leadership Award. Brown was presented the award for his accomplishments as the chaplain for II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Afghanistan.
The Force Protection Cougar Ambulance, a modified mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle, was designed specifically for the Marine Corps for timely and efficient medical evacuation. The vehicle is useful in a combat zone for effectively transporting casualties when an aerial medical evacuation is unavailable. - The Force Protection Cougar Ambulance, a modified mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle, was designed specifically for the Marine Corps for timely and efficient medical evacuation. The vehicle is useful in a combat zone for effectively transporting casualties when an aerial medical evacuation is unavailable.
Marines with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, grit their teeth as they shoulder the 100 pound rounds for the M777 Howitzer and move the gun line to a new location. Battery A took part in a recent battalion-wide training event in which they practiced the skills needed to operate the gun positions in a simulated, deployed environment. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. James Frazer) - Marines with Battery A, 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, grit their teeth as they shoulder the 100 pound rounds for the M777 Howitzer and move the gun line to a new location. Battery A took part in a recent battalion-wide training event in which they practiced the skills needed to operate the gun positions in a simulated, deployed environment. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. James Frazer)
Corporal Maureen J. Findley (right), a maintenance management specialist with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, climbs a rope after working through an obstacle course. The Greensboro, N.C., native is hoping to gain approval for her Enlisted Commissioning Program packet and is preparing herself for the physical challenges of Officer Candidates School. - Corporal Maureen J. Findley (right), a maintenance management specialist with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, climbs a rope after working through an obstacle course. The Greensboro, N.C., native is hoping to gain approval for her Enlisted Commissioning Program packet and is preparing herself for the physical challenges of Officer Candidates School.
Clinton, N.C., native Sgt. Maj. Michael F. Jones (left) and Omaha, Neb., native Sgt. Maj. Bryan K. Zickefoose (right) stand before Major Gen. John A. Toolan Jr., commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division and a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, during the division’s Relief and Appointment ceremony April 27. During the ceremony, Zickefoose replaced Jones as sergeant major of the division and Jones received the Legion of Merit. The Legion of Merit is presented to those who have distinguished themselves through exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde) - Clinton, N.C., native Sgt. Maj. Michael F. Jones (left) and Omaha, Neb., native Sgt. Maj. Bryan K. Zickefoose (right) stand before Major Gen. John A. Toolan Jr., commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division and a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, during the division’s Relief and Appointment ceremony April 27. During the ceremony, Zickefoose replaced Jones as sergeant major of the division and Jones received the Legion of Merit. The Legion of Merit is presented to those who have distinguished themselves through exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde)
Puyallup , Wash., native Pfc. Ian Campbell, a combat engineer with Company C, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, was so excited to become a Marine, he joined the delayed entry program a year before he was eligible to enlist. He then set off to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif. only four days after graduating high school in 2011. - Puyallup , Wash., native Pfc. Ian Campbell, a combat engineer with Company C, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, was so excited to become a Marine, he joined the delayed entry program a year before he was eligible to enlist. He then set off to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif. only four days after graduating high school in 2011.
– Sergeant Justin Vandertang (right), mortarman, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, loads a 60 millimeter, high-explosive round into the M224A1 mortar system his unit trained with during a range exercise. The Black River, N.Y., native with 2nd Marine Division said he loves the changes that have been made to the M224A1 over its predecessor, the M224 Legacy. He said his favorite change is the new weight of the system which, at 35 pounds, if a full nine pounds lighter than the M224 Legacy, an important feature considering Marines carry them on their backs during patrols lasting several hours. - – Sergeant Justin Vandertang (right), mortarman, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, loads a 60 millimeter, high-explosive round into the M224A1 mortar system his unit trained with during a range exercise. The Black River, N.Y., native with 2nd Marine Division said he loves the changes that have been made to the M224A1 over its predecessor, the M224 Legacy. He said his favorite change is the new weight of the system which, at 35 pounds, if a full nine pounds lighter than the M224 Legacy, an important feature considering Marines carry them on their backs during patrols lasting several hours.
Staff Sgt. Peryck Smith (right), tank commander and platoon sergeant for 3rd platoon, Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, sits atop Blue 4, the fourth M1A1 Abrams tank in 3rd platoon, as it moves into position during the company’s recent Gunnery Qualifications. The Jacksonville, Fla., native and his crew won’t know their score until the conclusion of the entire event, but said they believe they did well. At one point, they even hit two separate tank targets perfectly in less than 10 seconds while barreling down the track road, an admirable feat for any tank crew. - Staff Sgt. Peryck Smith (right), tank commander and platoon sergeant for 3rd platoon, Company A, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, sits atop Blue 4, the fourth M1A1 Abrams tank in 3rd platoon, as it moves into position during the company’s recent Gunnery Qualifications. The Jacksonville, Fla., native and his crew won’t know their score until the conclusion of the entire event, but said they believe they did well. At one point, they even hit two separate tank targets perfectly in less than 10 seconds while barreling down the track road, an admirable feat for any tank crew.
Lance Cpl. Dallin W. Jaramillo, a radio operator and Pfc. Parker O. Donovan, a point man, with 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, interact and document a conversation during an exercise with role-playing Afghans April 16. Jaramillo a Denver, Colo., native is training for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan and plans to try-out for the, semi-pro, Camp Lejeune Bulldogs once he returns. Jaramillo played football throughout high school and hopes to play for a team once again. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Walter D. Marino II) - Lance Cpl. Dallin W. Jaramillo, a radio operator and Pfc. Parker O. Donovan, a point man, with 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, interact and document a conversation during an exercise with role-playing Afghans April 16. Jaramillo a Denver, Colo., native is training for an upcoming deployment to Afghanistan and plans to try-out for the, semi-pro, Camp Lejeune Bulldogs once he returns. Jaramillo played football throughout high school and hopes to play for a team once again. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Walter D. Marino II)