Brigadier Gen. James W. Lukeman, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division, talks to members of the Second Marine Division Association about the Division during the celebration of its 73rd birthday aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Jan. 31, 2014. Past and present Marines of 2nd Marine Division joined to celebrate the Division’s 73rd birthday. The 2nd Marine Division was officially activated Feb. 1, 1941 at Camp Elliot, Calif., dropping its earlier designation as the 2nd Brigade. - Brigadier Gen. James W. Lukeman, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Division, talks to members of the Second Marine Division Association about the Division during the celebration of its 73rd birthday aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Jan. 31, 2014. Past and present Marines of 2nd Marine Division joined to celebrate the Division’s 73rd birthday. The 2nd Marine Division was officially activated Feb. 1, 1941 at Camp Elliot, Calif., dropping its earlier designation as the 2nd Brigade.

Corporal David S. Corderman, a guitarist with the 2nd Marine Division Band, sings during the 2nd Marine Division Holiday Concert presented by the 2nd Marine Division Band at the base theatre aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Dec. 15, 2013. The concert also streamed live to Marines and sailors supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. “I hope it means a lot to the deployed Marines, just so they know that we are still thinking about them because I know they may feel as if sometimes the rest of the world forgets about them,” said Lance Cpl. Matthew Ramirez, a pianist from Burleson, Texas. “So I hope it brought them some holiday cheer and made them feel a little bit closer to home.” - Corporal David S. Corderman, a guitarist with the 2nd Marine Division Band, sings during the 2nd Marine Division Holiday Concert presented by the 2nd Marine Division Band at the base theatre aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Dec. 15, 2013. The concert also streamed live to Marines and sailors supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. “I hope it means a lot to the deployed Marines, just so they know that we are still thinking about them because I know they may feel as if sometimes the rest of the world forgets about them,” said Lance Cpl. Matthew Ramirez, a pianist from Burleson, Texas. “So I hope it brought them some holiday cheer and made them feel a little bit closer to home.”

Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos shakes hands with Petty Officer 2nd Class Jamie C. Harris, a hospital corpsman with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, from Knoxville, Tenn., Sept. 25, 2013, aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. Harris was awarded the Chief Hospital Corpsman George William “Doc” Piercy award, at the Marine Corps League Enlisted Awards, for increasing combat readiness in a medical support element within the Fleet Marine Force. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl Sonia N. Rodriguez) - Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos shakes hands with Petty Officer 2nd Class Jamie C. Harris, a hospital corpsman with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, from Knoxville, Tenn., Sept. 25, 2013, aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. Harris was awarded the Chief Hospital Corpsman George William “Doc” Piercy award, at the Marine Corps League Enlisted Awards, for increasing combat readiness in a medical support element within the Fleet Marine Force. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl Sonia N. Rodriguez)

Sergeant William P. Reckley, a section leader with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, from Ayden, N.C., pulls open a door while assaulting Mobile MOUT Town aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Oct. 20, 2013. “‘Amtrackers’ are known for being flexible and being able to conduct any mission, whether it’s assaulting a beach and taking it over or supporting the infantry in an urban environment; both of those are gained by doing this training,” said 1st Lt. Michael Bianca, a platoon commander with the battalion, and Huntsville, Ala., native. - Sergeant William P. Reckley, a section leader with 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, from Ayden, N.C., pulls open a door while assaulting Mobile MOUT Town aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Oct. 20, 2013. “‘Amtrackers’ are known for being flexible and being able to conduct any mission, whether it’s assaulting a beach and taking it over or supporting the infantry in an urban environment; both of those are gained by doing this training,” said 1st Lt. Michael Bianca, a platoon commander with the battalion, and Huntsville, Ala., native.

Smoke covers an M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, after it fires the main gun at Range SR-10, during a training exercise with an RQ-11 Raven Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Oct. 15, 2013. The tank crews worked alongside scouts, who controlled the UAVs. The UAVs collected reconnaissance on the enemy and relayed the information to the tank crews before they attacked the objective. - Smoke covers an M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, after it fires the main gun at Range SR-10, during a training exercise with an RQ-11 Raven Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Oct. 15, 2013. The tank crews worked alongside scouts, who controlled the UAVs. The UAVs collected reconnaissance on the enemy and relayed the information to the tank crews before they attacked the objective.

Navy Lt. Cmdr. Shannon Stout, the 2nd Tank Battalion medical officer, from Sarasota, Fla., returns a salute after her promotion ceremony Sept. 4, 2013 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Stout became the first female field grade officer in 2nd Tanks history. - Navy Lt. Cmdr. Shannon Stout, the 2nd Tank Battalion medical officer, from Sarasota, Fla., returns a salute after her promotion ceremony Sept. 4, 2013 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Stout became the first female field grade officer in 2nd Tanks history.