A deckhand instructs Marines, sailors and their families how to reel in a fish during a youth fishing trip aboard the fishing vessel Dana Pride off the coast of Southern California, June 26, 2014. More than 30 More
Corporal Rene Gonzalez, data network specialist, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stretches before sharpening his skills as a soccer player in Oceanside, Calif., July 7, 2014. Gonzalez, 21, is from Joliet, Illin More
Lieutenant Col. John R. O’Neal, commanding officer, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, has more than 24 years of experience leading Marines. In his time he has developed a leadership style focused on commitment to More
Colonel Vance L. Cryer takes the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s colors from Lt. Col. John R. O’Neal symbolizing the transfer of leadership of the unit during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton More
Corporal Ashton Tyler, warehouse clerk, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, relaxes from the rigors of work by singing aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 15, 2014. Tyler, 22, is from Charleston, South Carolina. (U More
Lance Cpl. Benjamin J. Provoznik, left, intelligence specialist, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, relaxes from the stressors of work by playing video games with a friend aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 19, 2 More
Gunnery Sgt. Julia Martinez believes loving what you do and planning for any situation will always lead to success in life. Martinez, 39, is from Dallas and is currently the electronic key management system man More
Sergeant Wayne Miller, left, defends Sgt. Kevin Santiago during a one-on-one basketball game aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 29, 2014. Miller, 26, is from Orlando and is a Marine air-ground task force plann More
Sergeant Benjamin Eric-King Smith racks the billiard balls before playing a round in Oceanside, Calif., July 22, 2014. Smith, 24, is from Wilmington, Delaware and is currently the transportation coordinator for More
Gunnery Sgt. Phillip Veracruz believes the tools to being a leader are having passion, motivation, knowledge, and an open mind. Veracruz, 38, is from San Antonio and is currently the assistant operations chief More
Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and 9th Communications Battalion, along with volunteers from the Temecula Rotary Club donate their time to beautify the home of Robert Davis, a retired Marine in More
Colonel Vance L. Cryer presents Cpl. Justin G. Rush with the Good Conduct medal during an awards ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug 15, 2014. Cryer, who is from Fort Worth, Texas, is the commanding off More
Lance Cpl. Alfredo Alvarez, left, Cpl. Sean Eklund, and Lance Cpl. Tyler Dryer wait for their flight to Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center from Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug More
Chief Hospital Corpsman Emmanuel B. Essienete considers leadership to be the most successful skill he has gained in his 18 years of service. Essienete, 36, was born in Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria, and moved to Los More
Gunnery Sgt. Jose D. Alvizo has tailored his leadership style to one basic principle; set an example that others will want to follow. Alvizo, logistics chief, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 35, is from Fort Wo More
Corporal Freddy Cantu mentally prepares for his daily workout session aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2014. Cantu, 22, is from Bakersfield, Calif., and is a cyber-network administrator for the 15th M More
U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment rig their seat harnesses while training to build and cross rope bridges during Mountain Exercise 2014 aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in More
U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment inspect model survival shelters during Mountain Exercise 2014 aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Aug. 28, 2014. Mari More
Marines and sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and various units aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., prepare to check the durability of their gas masks during gas chamber training Aug. 29, 2014. The tra More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jona Moore tactically makes his way through the mountainous terrain with his squad during Mountain Exercise 2014 aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif. More
U.S. Marine Cpl. John F. Espinoza, top, demonstrates a cliff assault during Mountain Exercise 2014 aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Sept. 1, 2014. Espinoza is a squad More
Yvonne Soliz, left, pins Sgt. Joseph M. Soliz to his new rank during a promotion ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 3, 2014. Soliz is an administrative specialist with the 15th Marine Expeditionary U More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Anthony P. Kaigler plots his locations on a map during Mountain Exercise 2014 aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Sept. 3, 2014. Kaigler is a field More
Sergeant Brian Bishko and Cpl. Chester Ginter wait for instructions to begin a table three shoot aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 4, 2014. Table three is part of the Combat Marksmanship Pr More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Monica M. Coleman, right, relaxes after work with fellow Marines aboard Marine Corps Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Sept. 6, 2014. Coleman, 20, is from San Antonio, and is a mot More
U.S. Marine Pfc. Adam Gerald applies camouflage paint to his face during Mountain Exercise 2014 aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Sept. 7, 2014. Gerald, 20, is from Dal More
U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Edward Greeley congratulates his Marines after completing Mountain Exercise 2014 aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Sept. 8, 2014. Greeley is the co More
U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Wilfred Rivera congratulates his Marines after completing Mountain Exercise 2014 aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Sept. 8, 2014. Rivera is the com More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Avery Fujie patrols an area during Mountain Exercise 2014 aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Sept. 8, 2014. Fujie, 21, is from Hilo, Hawaii, and i More
U.S. Marines Lance Cpl. Shane Ragatz, left, and Lance Cpl. Chase Tucker provide cover fire during Mountain Exercise 2014 aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Sept. 8, 2014 More
Pedro Ruiz, a tactical instructor, shows Marines with Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, a group on a target during the marksmanship phase a close-quarter tactics course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., More
The Combat Logistics Battalion 15 color guard presents their organizational colors during a 9/11 memorial while aboard Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, Calif., Sept. 11, 2014. Marine More
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Cassie Utsey encourages independence in her Marines and believes Marines gain more experience by taking charge and learning from their mistakes. Utsey, 28, is from Toxey, Ala., and is the More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. JohnPaul Doring prepares to pass off a noncommissioned officer’s sword signaling the transfer of leadership during a relief and appointment ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 18 More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Lance Allen T. Sanchez relieves stress by breakdancing aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 22, 2014. Sanchez, 21, is from Tamuning, Guam and is a food service specialist with 15th Marine More
U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Joaquin F. Malavet, left, and Col. Vance L. Cryer, and U.S. Navy Capt. Clinton A. Carroll and Rear Adm. Fernandez L. Ponds cut a cake during the integration ceremony for the Essex Amphibi More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Oai Tran simulates assaulting a beach with steep earth during an urban-climber course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 30, 2014. Tran, 21, from Hayward, Calif., is an infantry rifleman with More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Cody Stephens has his new rank pinned on during a promotion ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 1, 2014. Stephens, 20, is a light-armored vehicle mechanic with the 15th Marine Ex More
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Adam R. Morrison demonstrates ascension techniques during urban-climber course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 02, 2014. Morrison, 29, from Puyallaup, Wash. is the staff noncommissio More
U.S. Marine Pfc. Anthony M. Prohaska prepares to throw a baseball aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 6, 2014. Prohaska, 21, is from Fort Myers, Fla., and is an administrative specialist with the 15th Marine Ex More
U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. David H. Berger addresses Marines from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit about the importance of their role in the unit’s success during the MEU’s composite ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, More
U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Wilfred Rivera speaks to his Marines about the legacy of Combat Logistics Battalion 15 during the unit’s 27th birthday ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 10, 2014. Rivera is the c More
U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, use a terrain model to go over a scheme of maneuver during a helicopter-raid exercise aboard Camp Pe More
U.S. Marine Sgt. Michael Clifton inspects a Very Small Aperture Terminal-Large system aboard Camp Pendleton Calif., Oct. 20, 2014. Clifton, 24, from Galveston, Texas, is an AN/TRC-170 technician with the 15th M More
U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Detachment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct airborne-sustainment training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 21, 2014. The Force Recon Detachment is scheduled to More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit color guard present the organizational colors during the unit’s Marine Corps Birthday Ball ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 24, 2014. The Marines More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Jose W. Delgado conducts rock drills with his squad during a vertical-assault raid course aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 27, 2014. Delgado is from Shirley, N.Y., and is a squad leader with More
U.S. Marines with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, coordinate an assault on a target during a vertical-assault raid course aboard Camp Pen More
A U.S. Marine with Force Reconnaissance Detachment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts combatant diver operations aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Oct. 31, 2014. Combat diving techniques are used by Force R More
U.S. Marines with India Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit move toward an enemy compound during a motorized raid aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., No More
U.S. Marine Cpl. Richard A. Wilson adjusts his self-contained breathing apparatus during a hazardous material training scenario aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 5, 2014. Wilson is a chemical, biological, rad More
U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Aquiles Rendon uses his experience to mentor Marines aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 13, 2014. Rendon is from Houston, and is the administrative chief for the 15th Marine Expedition More
U.S. Marines with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, emplace an M777A2 Lightweight Howitzer during MEU Exercise 14 aboard Camp Pendleton, C More
U.S. Marines with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire an M777A2 Lightweight Howitzer during MEU Exercise 14 aboard Camp Pendleton, Cali More
U.S. Marines with India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to receive fire missions during MEU Exercise 14 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., More
U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, receive role players acting as American citizens at an evacuation control center during non-combatant evacuation operation traini More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Burk trains his Marines on weapons handling during a combined arms exercise aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Dec. 10, 2014. Burk is a team le More
Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit unload sea bags in Morehead City, N.C., Dec. 13, 2014. Marines staged equipment prior to embarking on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group for their 2 More
Lance Cpl. Kodi Floyd, an MV-22B Osprey crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts a routine inspection aboard the USS Iwo Jima at sea Dec. 18, 2 More
The USS New York leads the USS Fort McHenry across the Atlantic Ocean, Dec. 19, 2014. The ships are part of the USS Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, which carries approximately 2,400 Marines and Sailors of the More
Sergeant Maj. Jacob M. Reiff, left, sergeant major of Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to graduates of a Lance Corporal’s Leadership and Ethics S More
Lance Cpl. Ryan Recanati, an anti-tank missileman with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, looks through the optics of an M41 Saber System More
A Marine with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participates in fast-rope training in the well deck of the USS New York, at Sea, Dec. 26 More
A Marine with Scout Snipers Platoon, Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, provides security for the USS Iwo Jima, at sea, Dec. 27, 2014. Th More
MV-22 Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), are in the full-stow position aboard the flight deck of USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) in preparation for rough More
Marines and Sailors with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group work together to move food and supplies into storage during a replenishment-at-sea operation aboard the USS New Yo More
Sgt. Jacob Kurzrock and Lance Cpl. Isaac Cliff, both with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Response Element, stand for a photo after an acclimatization hike du More
An MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the flight deck aboard the USS New York, at sea, Jan. 5, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iw More
An MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, hovers over the flight deck of the USS New York, at sea, Jan. 5, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima More
A U.S. Marine with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force climbs a caving ladder during maritime interoperability training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 7, 2015. MIT prepares the MRF for More
Corporal Stephen Cusson, an aviation ordnance technician assigned to the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, loads a 2.75-inch rocket in to a LAU-68 rocket pod att More
Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), remove 2.75-inch rockets from an LAU-61 rocket pod aboard USS Iwo Jima (LPD 7), Jan. 7, 2015. The 24th MEU a More
Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in a drill to don-and-clear their mission-oriented protectiv More
Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), perform a freshwater cleaning of an MV-22B Osprey aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock shi More
Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stand in formation during a promotion ceremony aboard the USS New York, at sea, Jan. 10, 2015. The 24th MEU and Iwo Jima Amphibious Re More
Lance Cpl. Saul Valenzuela, an anti-tank missileman with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, looks through the optics of an M41 Saber Syst More
A UH-1Y Venom hovers before a fast-rope mission during maritime interoperability training aboard Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 10, 2015. MIT prepares the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit's Maritime More
An AV-8B Harrier Jump jet from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to take off from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), Jan. 13, 2015. The 2 More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force aim at a target from a helicopter during maritime interoperability training off the coast of Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 13, 2015. MIT More
Marines assigned to Lima company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), stage their gear during a quick reaction force drill aboard the USS Iwo Jima (L More
Lance Cpl. Brandon C. Smith, a chemical, biological, radioactive, and nuclear defense specialist with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, puts on a Trellchem level-B training suit during a hazardous materials e More
Members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force, a detachment from Force Reconnaissance Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, prepare to board a vessel during a visit, board, search and sei More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force approach a gas and oil platform in a rigid-hull inflatable boat during maritime interoperability training off the coast of Santa Barbar More
U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force climb a caving ladder during maritime interoperability training off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif., Jan. 16, 2015. MIT prepares the More
Corporal Joseph A. Membreno, a supply administration and operations specialist with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Command Element, takes part in a close-order drill evaluation aboard the amphibious assau More
Marines set up camouflage netting as the first step in forming a combat operations center Jan. 16, at the Marine Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, for Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. A COC is where More
Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit take a break from routine maintenance on an MV-22B Osprey aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), Jan. 13, 2015. The 24th MEU is embarked More
Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit receive a safety brief before participating in a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 18, 2015. The 24th MEU is embark More
Corporal Bryon H. Wulf, a ground radio repairman with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Command Element, performs a pull up during the physical fitness portion of a meritorious sergeant promotion competition More
Lance Cpl. Jovan Espinoza, a machine gunner with India Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, practices bayonet techniques during Marine Corps Martia More
Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stand watch aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21), Jan. 20, 2015, as the ship pa More
Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit stand in formation as part of a Corporal’s Course graduation ceremony aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), Jan. 22, 2015. The 24th MEU is emba More
A Marine with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), sits behind a mounted M2 .50-cal. heavy machine gun aboard a CH-53E Super Stallion over the Red Sea after l More
Lance Cpl. Ryan B. Read, an infantry assaultman with Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, assists a simulated casualty during a casualty evacu More
A Marine with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) , fast-ropes from a parkedMV-22B Osprey onto the elevator of the amphibious assaul More
Sergeant Bret C. Piburn, left, an air traffic controller with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stands in formation to receive a certificate of commendation for More
Hospital Corpsman 3rd class Mike Her, a field medical service technician with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), plays the role of a simulated casua More
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Alexander Dalziel asses enemy threat during squad tactics and maneuver training aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 29, 2015. Dalziel is a team leader with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing More
Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit board a Landing Craft, Air Cushioned vessel prior to debarking the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD-21), Jan. 30, 2015. A contingent of Marines fr More
A joint terminal attack controller from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force observes the explosion of a GBU-12 laser-guided bomb during a bilateral training exercise with French soldiers an More