Sergeant Justin Burkett, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense specialist with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, beat out keen competition at a meritorious sergeant board to earn his current rank. Burkett now uses his experience to prepare Marines in his section for successful careers. - Sergeant Justin Burkett, a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense specialist with Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, beat out keen competition at a meritorious sergeant board to earn his current rank. Burkett now uses his experience to prepare Marines in his section for successful careers.

Garland LeRoy, a native of Nokesville, Va., and a veteran of the Battle of Tarawa, participates in a live-fire rifle range during “Tarawa Day” on Nov. 20. The veterans attended a memorial service, viewed a non-lethal weapons demonstration and fired pistols and rifles. “Shooting the rifles brought back some memories,” said Henry C. Norman, a native of Springhill, Fla., and veteran of the battle. “We first had the M-1 rifle and then they gave us the carbines, so it was very interesting to shoot the M-16 rifle.” (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Casey Jones) (RELEASED) - Garland LeRoy, a native of Nokesville, Va., and a veteran of the Battle of Tarawa, participates in a live-fire rifle range during “Tarawa Day” on Nov. 20. The veterans attended a memorial service, viewed a non-lethal weapons demonstration and fired pistols and rifles. “Shooting the rifles brought back some memories,” said Henry C. Norman, a native of Springhill, Fla., and veteran of the battle. “We first had the M-1 rifle and then they gave us the carbines, so it was very interesting to shoot the M-16 rifle.” (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Casey Jones) (RELEASED)

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, fire a shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon during a field exercise, Oct. 23, on a platoon assault range here. The battalion was here for about a month conducting pre-deployment training. The five companies in the battalion took aim on five different ranges throughout the training which consisted of a platoon assault course, vehicle mounted heavy machine gun courses, mortar ranges, combat marksmanship program courses, and a known distance course. ::r::::n:: - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, fire a shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon during a field exercise, Oct. 23, on a platoon assault range here. The battalion was here for about a month conducting pre-deployment training. The five companies in the battalion took aim on five different ranges throughout the training which consisted of a platoon assault course, vehicle mounted heavy machine gun courses, mortar ranges, combat marksmanship program courses, and a known distance course. ::r::::n::

A Marine with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Reigment, 2nd Marine Division, takes aim behind some cover during a platoon assault course here, Oct. 23. The battalion spent a month doing different live fire ranges in preparation for their upcoming deployment. Among the ranges the Marines participated in were a vehicle mounted heavy machine gun assault course and 81 mm and 61 mm mortar range. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Thomas Hermesman) (RELEASED) - A Marine with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Reigment, 2nd Marine Division, takes aim behind some cover during a platoon assault course here, Oct. 23. The battalion spent a month doing different live fire ranges in preparation for their upcoming deployment. Among the ranges the Marines participated in were a vehicle mounted heavy machine gun assault course and 81 mm and 61 mm mortar range. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Thomas Hermesman) (RELEASED)

Cpl. William McManigle, a platoon sergeant with Company A, 1st battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, practices platoon attacks during an exercise here Nov. 19. After recently spending time in Fort Pickett, Va., doing the same training, the Marines trained hard to keep this important combat training fresh in their heads. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas J. Hermesman) (URELEASED) - Cpl. William McManigle, a platoon sergeant with Company A, 1st battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, practices platoon attacks during an exercise here Nov. 19. After recently spending time in Fort Pickett, Va., doing the same training, the Marines trained hard to keep this important combat training fresh in their heads. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas J. Hermesman) (URELEASED)

Lance Cpl. Mikal MacDonald, a squad automatic weapon gunner with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, posts security at a vehicle checkpoint at the military operations in urban terrain facility. MOUT was used as part of a week-long battalion field exercise in preparation for the battalion’s deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. - Lance Cpl. Mikal MacDonald, a squad automatic weapon gunner with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, posts security at a vehicle checkpoint at the military operations in urban terrain facility. MOUT was used as part of a week-long battalion field exercise in preparation for the battalion’s deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Mike J. Parks, a mortarman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division goes over how to evenly distribute weight onto a mule. Marines spent the day learning how to ride, saddle, feed, and care for a mule, so that when deployed they are able to use the valuable skill. - Pfc. Mike J. Parks, a mortarman with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division goes over how to evenly distribute weight onto a mule. Marines spent the day learning how to ride, saddle, feed, and care for a mule, so that when deployed they are able to use the valuable skill.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- An M1A1 Abrams tank from Delta Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division backs up onto a raft to be transported from Landing Zone Jaybird to Camp Devil Dog on Oct. 10. The tankers teamed up with Bridge Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group to conduct a river-crossing exercise to hone their skills and move heavy equipment in the most efficient manner. - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- An M1A1 Abrams tank from Delta Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division backs up onto a raft to be transported from Landing Zone Jaybird to Camp Devil Dog on Oct. 10. The tankers teamed up with Bridge Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group to conduct a river-crossing exercise to hone their skills and move heavy equipment in the most efficient manner.

An M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank prepares to fire its 120 mm main gun during a gunnery range here Oct. 8. Marines with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division are required to qualify on live-fire tank ranges. The M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank has been in America’s arsenal of armored fighting vehicles since 1980. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Juan Vara) (RELEASED) - An M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank prepares to fire its 120 mm main gun during a gunnery range here Oct. 8. Marines with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division are required to qualify on live-fire tank ranges. The M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank has been in America’s arsenal of armored fighting vehicles since 1980. (Official Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Juan Vara) (RELEASED)