News

Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, prepare to load an amphibious assault vehicle to move to a town for a training exercise later that night on Fort Bliss, Texas, April 28, 2014. Marines moved into position under the cover of night over tough terrain to conduct an assault on a village in order to eliminate enemy forces occupying it. The village was key to future operations in the area and allowed control of Route Grey, a main route for coalition operations in the area. - Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, prepare to load an amphibious assault vehicle to move to a town for a training exercise later that night on Fort Bliss, Texas, April 28, 2014. Marines moved into position under the cover of night over tough terrain to conduct an assault on a village in order to eliminate enemy forces occupying it. The village was key to future operations in the area and allowed control of Route Grey, a main route for coalition operations in the area.

Landing support Marines with 2nd Combat Logistics Regiment, Task Force 2-8 prepare to load a 1,000 pound load of tires on a CH-47 Chinook, with the 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st Armored Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, during training at the Dona Anna training area on Fort Bliss, Texas, April 7, 2014. - Landing support Marines with 2nd Combat Logistics Regiment, Task Force 2-8 prepare to load a 1,000 pound load of tires on a CH-47 Chinook, with the 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st Armored Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, during training at the Dona Anna training area on Fort Bliss, Texas, April 7, 2014.

Bronx, N.Y., native Lance Cpl. Edwin Guaman, a team leader, with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, charges uphill with Marines while assaulting an objective during a rehearsal at Range 62, on Fort Bliss, Texas, April 5, 2014. - Bronx, N.Y., native Lance Cpl. Edwin Guaman, a team leader, with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, charges uphill with Marines while assaulting an objective during a rehearsal at Range 62, on Fort Bliss, Texas, April 5, 2014.

Reading, Penn., native Pfc. Cody Troxel, a machine gunner with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, gives a class on the M240 Bravo machine gun to Marines from 3rd Platoon while waiting to train at Range 62, on Fort Bliss, Texas, April 5, 2014. - Reading, Penn., native Pfc. Cody Troxel, a machine gunner with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, gives a class on the M240 Bravo machine gun to Marines from 3rd Platoon while waiting to train at Range 62, on Fort Bliss, Texas, April 5, 2014.

Lance Cpl Luis Beltran, a rifleman with Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, fires the M107 .50 Caliber Special Application Scoped Rifle, while LCpl Kevin Cruzvazquez, a rifleman also with Delta Company, observes where the rounds impact on designated targets at a range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC, April 23, 2014. This is a part of training conducted within the battalion that qualified designated Marines to safely, efficiently and effectively employ the SASR in accordance to the commander's intent. - Lance Cpl Luis Beltran, a rifleman with Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, fires the M107 .50 Caliber Special Application Scoped Rifle, while LCpl Kevin Cruzvazquez, a rifleman also with Delta Company, observes where the rounds impact on designated targets at a range aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC, April 23, 2014. This is a part of training conducted within the battalion that qualified designated Marines to safely, efficiently and effectively employ the SASR in accordance to the commander's intent.

Lieutenant Col. Joel Schmidt, the battalion commander of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, cuts a ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony held at the battalion command post aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC, April 25, 2014. Also known as the NCO mess, the lounge is a place where the noncommissioned officers can participate in professional development through discussion, debate and mentorship in an environment that fosters critical thinking and education. - Lieutenant Col. Joel Schmidt, the battalion commander of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, cuts a ribbon during a ribbon cutting ceremony held at the battalion command post aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC, April 25, 2014. Also known as the NCO mess, the lounge is a place where the noncommissioned officers can participate in professional development through discussion, debate and mentorship in an environment that fosters critical thinking and education.

Brig. Gen. James Lukeman, commanding general of 2nd Marine Division, spoke to veterans and their families at World War II Day aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 24, 2014. “The Marines that are serving in Afghanistan and Iraq learned how to act from the legacy that World War II veterans left,” said Lukeman. - Brig. Gen. James Lukeman, commanding general of 2nd Marine Division, spoke to veterans and their families at World War II Day aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 24, 2014. “The Marines that are serving in Afghanistan and Iraq learned how to act from the legacy that World War II veterans left,” said Lukeman.

Marines with Bravo Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, run side-by-side for the second day of the R.A.C.E for Suicide Awareness held at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC, April, 17th, 2014. R.A.C.E stands for recognize, act, care and escort, the four terms in helping to prevent a suicide. Runners and personnel involved with the relay hope to ultimately have increased unit cohesion and camaraderie among the division units, and have maximum exposure to various counseling and support services available to service members. - Marines with Bravo Company, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, run side-by-side for the second day of the R.A.C.E for Suicide Awareness held at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC, April, 17th, 2014. R.A.C.E stands for recognize, act, care and escort, the four terms in helping to prevent a suicide. Runners and personnel involved with the relay hope to ultimately have increased unit cohesion and camaraderie among the division units, and have maximum exposure to various counseling and support services available to service members.

Sergeant Stephen Lowe, an armory custodian with 2nd Marine Division aboard Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal recently for actions while on Marine security guard duty in Lagos, Nigeria, April 28, 2013. - Sergeant Stephen Lowe, an armory custodian with 2nd Marine Division aboard Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal recently for actions while on Marine security guard duty in Lagos, Nigeria, April 28, 2013.

Lance Cpl. Ryan S. Sullivan of Loveland Colo., and a field wireman with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, relaxes as blood is being drawn for the Armed Services Blood Program’s blood drive at the tank ramps aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Feb. 21, 2014. Sullivan said this was his first time donating blood and that it wouldn’t be the last. The blood drive was held to support wounded, ill, or injured Marines and sailors in need of a blood transfusion. “I was nervous at first but once the process started I began to relax,” said Sullivan. - Lance Cpl. Ryan S. Sullivan of Loveland Colo., and a field wireman with 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, relaxes as blood is being drawn for the Armed Services Blood Program’s blood drive at the tank ramps aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Feb. 21, 2014. Sullivan said this was his first time donating blood and that it wouldn’t be the last. The blood drive was held to support wounded, ill, or injured Marines and sailors in need of a blood transfusion. “I was nervous at first but once the process started I began to relax,” said Sullivan.