Gen. George Crist poses for a command board photo, 1985. (Courtesy asset) - Gen. George Crist poses for a command board photo, 1985. (Courtesy asset)

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Soldiers with the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 11, 2024. CLB-31 hosted the ARDB to foster mutual understanding and improving interoperability between the two forces by sharing a wide range of capabilities and practices. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado) - U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Soldiers with the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force pose for a photo on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, July 11, 2024. CLB-31 hosted the ARDB to foster mutual understanding and improving interoperability between the two forces by sharing a wide range of capabilities and practices. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible and lethal force, ready to perform a wide range of military operations as the premiere crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan K. Maldonado)

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, provide humanitarian disaster relief preparation by offloading approximately one thousand bags of rice and three thousand cases of water to Federal States of Micronesia outer island of Chuuk during exercise Koa Moana 24 in the Chuuk Lagoon, July 5-9, 2024. During Koa Moana’s deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force work to strengthen alliances and partnerships with development of interoperable capabilities, combined operations, theater security cooperation, and capacity-building efforts. - U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, provide humanitarian disaster relief preparation by offloading approximately one thousand bags of rice and three thousand cases of water to Federal States of Micronesia outer island of Chuuk during exercise Koa Moana 24 in the Chuuk Lagoon, July 5-9, 2024. During Koa Moana’s deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force work to strengthen alliances and partnerships with development of interoperable capabilities, combined operations, theater security cooperation, and capacity-building efforts.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Julio Carbajal, heavy equipment operations chief, Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 Det B, guides 120M Graders during grading operations to the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field aboard Marine Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, June 12, 2024. The Marines of MWSS-471 Det B are conducting repairs on the SELF, an expeditionary airfield facility established to enhance operational reach, flexibility, and sustainability, supporting the rapid deployment and sustainment of Marine Corps aviation assets during expeditionary operations. - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Julio Carbajal, heavy equipment operations chief, Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 Det B, guides 120M Graders during grading operations to the Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field aboard Marine Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, June 12, 2024. The Marines of MWSS-471 Det B are conducting repairs on the SELF, an expeditionary airfield facility established to enhance operational reach, flexibility, and sustainability, supporting the rapid deployment and sustainment of Marine Corps aviation assets during expeditionary operations.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Gregg Olson, director of Marine Corps Staff, left, and retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James Lukeman, president and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, unveil the new trio of commemorative coins dedicated to the 250-year anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Virginia, July 17, 2024. The coins are a testament to the courage, sacrifice and dedication of all Marines, ensuring that their stories will be remembered and celebrated. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Gregg Olson, director of Marine Corps Staff, left, and retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James Lukeman, president and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, unveil the new trio of commemorative coins dedicated to the 250-year anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Virginia, July 17, 2024. The coins are a testament to the courage, sacrifice and dedication of all Marines, ensuring that their stories will be remembered and celebrated. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joaquin Dela Torre)

Service members from the United States, Australia, the Republic of the Philippines, and the United Kingdom, pose for a photo after the opening ceremony of Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, July 15, 2024. - Service members from the United States, Australia, the Republic of the Philippines, and the United Kingdom, pose for a photo after the opening ceremony of Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, July 15, 2024. Exercise Predator’s Run 24 is a littoral-focused, multilateral training exercise led by the Australian Army’s 1st Brigade, involving the Australian Defence Force, British Armed Forces, and the U.S. Marine Corps. Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3’s participation in Exercise Predator’s Run 24 increases interoperability with Allies and partners, highlighting the effectiveness of combined operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cristian Bestul)

U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Carlos Paz-Sosa, a Marine with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, July 1, 2024. Paz-Sosa was highlighted due to his impressive transformation, losing more than 100 lbs. in order to become a Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Elliott A. Flood-Johnson) - U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Carlos Paz-Sosa, a Marine with India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, July 1, 2024. Paz-Sosa was highlighted due to his impressive transformation, losing more than 100 lbs. in order to become a Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Elliott A. Flood-Johnson)

N/A - U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Oluwagbemiga Omotoye, a Marine with Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, stands ready for inspection during the Battalion Commander's Inspection on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., July 5 2024. The inspection is the battalion commander's last time to inspect his Marines and correct any deficiencies before the Marines complete recruit training. (U.S. Marine Corps Depot photo by Lance Cpl. William Horsley)

Vice Adm. John Wade, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 Combined Task Force (CTF) Commander, center, and task force leadership take questions during the opening press conference for RIMPAC 2024 held at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 27. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Courtney Strahan) - Vice Adm. John Wade, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 Combined Task Force (CTF) Commander, center, and task force leadership take questions during the opening press conference for RIMPAC 2024 held at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 27. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Courtney Strahan)

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Jiang Xinnian, a native of China and recruited from Pasadena, Calif. with Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, poses for a photo after a naturalization ceremony at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, June 27, 2024. The naturalization ceremony took place during family day to recognize Marines who became United States citizens by completing bootcamp. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Yvonna Guyette) - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Jiang Xinnian, a native of China and recruited from Pasadena, Calif. with Echo Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, poses for a photo after a naturalization ceremony at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, June 27, 2024. The naturalization ceremony took place during family day to recognize Marines who became United States citizens by completing bootcamp. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Yvonna Guyette)

A U.S. Marine with 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, receives a lei from a USO volunteer during a homecoming event at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 26, 2024. The homecoming event was held for the Marines returning from the Philippines following their support in Exercise Balikatan 24 and Marine Aviation Support Activity 24. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Grace Gerlach) - A U.S. Marine with 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, receives a lei from a USO volunteer during a homecoming event at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, June 26, 2024. The homecoming event was held for the Marines returning from the Philippines following their support in Exercise Balikatan 24 and Marine Aviation Support Activity 24. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Grace Gerlach)

U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicles attached to Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct an amphibious landing after waterborne operations at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, June 24, 2024. Harpers Ferry and embarked elements of the 15th MEU are conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Peyton Kahle) - U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicles attached to Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct an amphibious landing after waterborne operations at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, Japan, June 24, 2024. Harpers Ferry and embarked elements of the 15th MEU are conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Peyton Kahle)

A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft with 1st Marine Air Wing, lands on a newly designated airstrip on the island of Peleliu, Republic of Palau, June 22, 2024. For the first time since its recertification in June, a military fixed-wing aircraft has touched down on the historic Peleliu airstrip, marking a significant and triumphant return to this iconic World War II site. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hollerud) - A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft with 1st Marine Air Wing, lands on a newly designated airstrip on the island of Peleliu, Republic of Palau, June 22, 2024. For the first time since its recertification in June, a military fixed-wing aircraft has touched down on the historic Peleliu airstrip, marking a significant and triumphant return to this iconic World War II site. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hannah Hollerud)