A Marine with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, embraces his daughter and wife aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune N.C., during a welcome home ceremony March 25, 2011. The unit has returned after a seven-month deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. - A Marine with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, embraces his daughter and wife aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune N.C., during a welcome home ceremony March 25, 2011. The unit has returned after a seven-month deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sergeant Jason T. Durkaj stands next to his amphibious assault vehicle during a training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 24, 2011. Durkaj is a section leader with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. - Sergeant Jason T. Durkaj stands next to his amphibious assault vehicle during a training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 24, 2011. Durkaj is a section leader with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division.
Sgt. Samir Awadallah (right) leans over to assist one of the junior Marines working in his shop. The Berlin Center, Ohio, native is in charge of managing the Marines who maintain the communication and information systems for the division. ::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Sgt. Samir Awadallah (right) leans over to assist one of the junior Marines working in his shop. The Berlin Center, Ohio, native is in charge of managing the Marines who maintain the communication and information systems for the division. ::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::
Washington, D.C., native Gunnery Sgt. Michael L. Woods works out with a fellow Marine on a fitness machine. The information security technician with the Communication and Information Systems section, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), is working to keep his Marines both physically and mentally fit throughout the course of their yearlong deployment together. ::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n:: - Washington, D.C., native Gunnery Sgt. Michael L. Woods works out with a fellow Marine on a fitness machine. The information security technician with the Communication and Information Systems section, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), is working to keep his Marines both physically and mentally fit throughout the course of their yearlong deployment together. ::r::::n::::r::::n::::r::::n::
Brig. Gen. Lewis Craparotta, the commanding general for 2nd Marine Division (Forward), speaks to the service members attending the transfer of authority ceremony, March 15. The ceremony signified the transfer of command of Task Force Leatherneck from 1st MarDiv (Fwd) to 2nd MarDiv (Fwd). - Brig. Gen. Lewis Craparotta, the commanding general for 2nd Marine Division (Forward), speaks to the service members attending the transfer of authority ceremony, March 15. The ceremony signified the transfer of command of Task Force Leatherneck from 1st MarDiv (Fwd) to 2nd MarDiv (Fwd).
Sgt Quinton King, a Chicago native, mentors one of his Marines in the administration section. The adjutant non-commissioned officer in charge for the section, , 2nd Marine Division (Forward), devotes his time to serving others. - Sgt Quinton King, a Chicago native, mentors one of his Marines in the administration section. The adjutant non-commissioned officer in charge for the section, , 2nd Marine Division (Forward), devotes his time to serving others.
Marines with civil affairs teams from 4th Civil Affairs Group and 11th Marines Civil Affairs, Regimental Combat Team 8, inspect the progress of work being done by local residents of Now Zad, Afghanistan, Feb. 22. Civil affairs teams fund and supervise projects to offer jobs to local citizens and help improve the overall city. - Marines with civil affairs teams from 4th Civil Affairs Group and 11th Marines Civil Affairs, Regimental Combat Team 8, inspect the progress of work being done by local residents of Now Zad, Afghanistan, Feb. 22. Civil affairs teams fund and supervise projects to offer jobs to local citizens and help improve the overall city.
Corporal Josh D. Lurie, a field wireman with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, uses a suspension-training band to exercise during his free time on Fort Pickett, Va., Feb 19, 2011. The bands offer a series of different exercises and a lightweight alternative to free weights. - Corporal Josh D. Lurie, a field wireman with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, uses a suspension-training band to exercise during his free time on Fort Pickett, Va., Feb 19, 2011. The bands offer a series of different exercises and a lightweight alternative to free weights.
Atlanta native Navy Lt. John Securda proudly wears his Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer insignia. The information operations planner earned his FMFQO insignia recently by successfully completing the necessary requirements, to include a six-mile hike, passing the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test, completing a written test, and an oral board conducted by FMF-qualified officers. Securda deployed with 1st Marine Division (Forward) and will now continue to serve with 2nd MarDiv (Fwd). - Atlanta native Navy Lt. John Securda proudly wears his Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer insignia. The information operations planner earned his FMFQO insignia recently by successfully completing the necessary requirements, to include a six-mile hike, passing the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test, completing a written test, and an oral board conducted by FMF-qualified officers. Securda deployed with 1st Marine Division (Forward) and will now continue to serve with 2nd MarDiv (Fwd).