Major David Hill, the officer in charge of the Marines onboard the USS New York, cuts the first piece of birthday cake for the Marine Corps’ 238th birthday aboard the USS New York Nov. 7, 2013. The Marines and sailors celebrated the birthday with cake and music while underway to New York City for Veteran’s Day weekend. - Major David Hill, the officer in charge of the Marines onboard the USS New York, cuts the first piece of birthday cake for the Marine Corps’ 238th birthday aboard the USS New York Nov. 7, 2013. The Marines and sailors celebrated the birthday with cake and music while underway to New York City for Veteran’s Day weekend.

Brigadier Gen. James W. Lukeman, the 2nd Marine Division commanding general, Sgt. Maj. Bryan K. Zickefoose, the 2nd Marine Division sergeant major, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Butler, the food technician for G-4 Food Services observe a cake during the 2013 Marine Corps birthday cake competition aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Nov. 6, 2013. Food service Marines were tasked with creating a cake for celebrating the Marine Corps’ 238th birthday. - Brigadier Gen. James W. Lukeman, the 2nd Marine Division commanding general, Sgt. Maj. Bryan K. Zickefoose, the 2nd Marine Division sergeant major, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Butler, the food technician for G-4 Food Services observe a cake during the 2013 Marine Corps birthday cake competition aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Nov. 6, 2013. Food service Marines were tasked with creating a cake for celebrating the Marine Corps’ 238th birthday.

Retired Marine Major Jennifer Marino arrives at 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Oct. 22, 2013 after riding from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Marino retired from the Marine Corps and rode across the country to meet with gold star families. - Retired Marine Major Jennifer Marino arrives at 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Oct. 22, 2013 after riding from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Marino retired from the Marine Corps and rode across the country to meet with gold star families.

A Marine with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, loads his gear onto a 7-ton truck aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 19, 2013. Third Bn., 6th Marines recently conducted an activation and personnel movement drill for II Marine Expeditionary Force and executed a movement to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point to test how quickly the unit can mobilize if a crisis occurs. - A Marine with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, loads his gear onto a 7-ton truck aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 19, 2013. Third Bn., 6th Marines recently conducted an activation and personnel movement drill for II Marine Expeditionary Force and executed a movement to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point to test how quickly the unit can mobilize if a crisis occurs.

General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, presents the Sgt. Maj. Wilber Bestwick Award to Staff Sgt. Jon E. Osborn, the acting first sergeant of Delta Co., 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and Montgomery, Texas native, for his contributions to the unit’s combat readiness, Sept. 26, 2013. Since 2011, Osborn has worked tirelessly to keep his unit combat ready. He has previously served as a platoon sergeant, acting platoon commander, operations chief and the unit’s master gunner, and he has served with 2nd LAR for a total of seven years. Named for the first Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, the award is given to an enlisted Marine in a ground combat element of the operating forces who has made an outstanding contribution to increased combat readiness within the organization. - General James F. Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps, presents the Sgt. Maj. Wilber Bestwick Award to Staff Sgt. Jon E. Osborn, the acting first sergeant of Delta Co., 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and Montgomery, Texas native, for his contributions to the unit’s combat readiness, Sept. 26, 2013. Since 2011, Osborn has worked tirelessly to keep his unit combat ready. He has previously served as a platoon sergeant, acting platoon commander, operations chief and the unit’s master gunner, and he has served with 2nd LAR for a total of seven years. Named for the first Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, the award is given to an enlisted Marine in a ground combat element of the operating forces who has made an outstanding contribution to increased combat readiness within the organization.

Sergeant Maj. Micheal Barrett, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, talks to non-commissioned officers with 2nd Marine Division about the importance of small unit leadership Sept. 17, 2013, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. General James Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, also visited and discussed the important role NCOs play in the Marine Corps. - Sergeant Maj. Micheal Barrett, sergeant major of the Marine Corps, talks to non-commissioned officers with 2nd Marine Division about the importance of small unit leadership Sept. 17, 2013, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. General James Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, also visited and discussed the important role NCOs play in the Marine Corps.

Lieutenant Col. Dave Lucas, the 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division executive officer, stands in front of an M198 Howitzer, Sept. 14, 2013, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Lucas is retiring Nov. 1, and is having his retirement ceremony Sept. 20. - Lieutenant Col. Dave Lucas, the 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division executive officer, stands in front of an M198 Howitzer, Sept. 14, 2013, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Lucas is retiring Nov. 1, and is having his retirement ceremony Sept. 20.

Brigadier Gen. James W. Lukeman, the 2nd Marine Division commanding general, congratulates Lt. Col. John L. Medeiros Jr., the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion commanding officer, after a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2013. Medeiros began his career as a platoon commander with 2nd AA Bn. - Brigadier Gen. James W. Lukeman, the 2nd Marine Division commanding general, congratulates Lt. Col. John L. Medeiros Jr., the 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion commanding officer, after a change of command ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., June 14, 2013. Medeiros began his career as a platoon commander with 2nd AA Bn.

– 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.