Cade Liles, a child with the Make-A-Wish foundation, poses for a group photo with personnel of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Aug. 3, 2023. MCRD San Diego supported the mission of the Make-A-Wish foundation in granting Cade Liles’ wish of experiencing portions of Marine training and military life - Cade Liles, a child with the Make-A-Wish foundation, poses for a group photo with personnel of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Aug. 3, 2023. MCRD San Diego supported the mission of the Make-A-Wish foundation in granting Cade Liles’ wish of experiencing portions of Marine training and military life

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason L. Morris, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, and members of the Women Marines Association take a group photo at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 11, 2022. The battalion was established on February 13, 1943 as part of the Marine Corps Reserves to provide qualified women for duty at shore establishments across the Marine Corps. - U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Jason L. Morris, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region, and members of the Women Marines Association take a group photo at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Feb. 11, 2022. The battalion was established on February 13, 1943 as part of the Marine Corps Reserves to provide qualified women for duty at shore establishments across the Marine Corps.

May Goldman, middle, a volunteer with the San Diego Blood Bank, explains the blood donation paperwork to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Christian Ellinger, Inspector General with Western Recruiting Region and Col. Rob Hancock, Assistant Chief of Staff, WRR, during a blood drive in memory of Lyanna Fernandez at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. 7. - May Goldman, middle, a volunteer with the San Diego Blood Bank, explains the blood donation paperwork to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Christian Ellinger, Inspector General with Western Recruiting Region and Col. Rob Hancock, Assistant Chief of Staff, WRR, during a blood drive in memory of Lyanna Fernandez at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. 7.

U.S. Marines work with firefighters from around San Diego County to put out a fire on a mobile aircraft firefighting trainer during a training evolution at the San Diego International Airport in San Diego, July 10. - U.S. Marines work with firefighters from around San Diego County to put out a fire on a mobile aircraft firefighting trainer during a training evolution at the San Diego International Airport in San Diego, July 10.

Vuong saved the life of a UPS driver by using his Marine training to remove him from his wrecked truck. Vuong waited with the driver until emergency medical personnel arrived. - Staff Sgt. Hai Vuong, an imagery analyst from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, received the Liberty Mutual Lifesaver Award from Liberty Mutual Insurance and UPS at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Jan. 26. Vuong saved the life of a UPS driver by using his Marine training to remove him from his wrecked truck. Vuong waited with the driver until emergency medical personnel arrived.

An explosive ordnance disposal Marine explains how a metal detector works to an onlooker during San Diego Fleet Week 2015 at Naval Base Coronado, Calif., Sept. 20, 2015. Thirty-seven Marines from 7th ESB presented static displays during the event to demonstrate the quality of military assets to the citizens of San Diego. - An explosive ordnance disposal Marine explains how a metal detector works to an onlooker during San Diego Fleet Week 2015 at Naval Base Coronado, Calif., Sept. 20, 2015. Thirty-seven Marines from 7th ESB presented static displays during the event to demonstrate the quality of military assets to the citizens of San Diego.

An active shooter response exercise participant simulates firing a handgun during an active shooter response exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 2. The station also participated in an aircraft mishap response exercise the next day as part of required annual safety training for the installation. - An active shooter response exercise participant simulates firing a handgun during an active shooter response exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 2. The station also participated in an aircraft mishap response exercise the next day as part of required annual safety training for the installation.

Privates Neta Irene Farrell, Rochester, N.Y., and Genevieve Evers, Woodhaven, N.Y., position a depth charge as they prepare to load and arm it in the bay of a plane during a course at the Station Ordnance School at Quantico, Va. in the early 1940s. - Privates Neta Irene Farrell, Rochester, N.Y., and Genevieve Evers, Woodhaven, N.Y., position a depth charge as they prepare to load and arm it in the bay of a plane during a course at the Station Ordnance School at Quantico, Va. in the early 1940s.

Lance Cpl. Ronald Hinson from Heath Springs, South Carolina, competes in the push up challenge portion of the Shanghai Commanders’ Cup Nov. 14 at Camp Schwab. The meet tested the Marines in nine categories, ranging from fun events like softball and sumo wrestling to pull-up and push-up competitions. Every event was performed in a team setting further reinforcing camaraderie and cohesion. Hinson is a cyber-network operator with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. - Lance Cpl. Ronald Hinson from Heath Springs, South Carolina, competes in the push up challenge portion of the Shanghai Commanders’ Cup Nov. 14 at Camp Schwab. The meet tested the Marines in nine categories, ranging from fun events like softball and sumo wrestling to pull-up and push-up competitions. Every event was performed in a team setting further reinforcing camaraderie and cohesion. Hinson is a cyber-network operator with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program.

Recruits of India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, stand at parade rest as they await the senior drill Instructor’s inspection at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 5. During the inspection it was crucial for the recruits to remain calm, keep their eyes forward while at attention and answer the questions they were asked. It was a sign of confidence and bearing - two traits drill instructors were seeking. - Recruits of India Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, stand at parade rest as they await the senior drill Instructor’s inspection at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Sept. 5. During the inspection it was crucial for the recruits to remain calm, keep their eyes forward while at attention and answer the questions they were asked. It was a sign of confidence and bearing - two traits drill instructors were seeking.

Recruit Axe T. Buffington, Platton 1003, Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, balances himself on a chain bridge during the 12 Stalls event at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 27. The 12 Stalls event is a part of the Crucible, which is a 54-hour test of endurance where recruits must conquer more than 30 different obstacles while they experience food and sleep deprivation. During the Crucible, recruits utilize small unit leadership skills they’ve acquired throughout training. Buffington is a native of Princeton, Minn., and was recruited out of Recruiting Substation St. Cloud, Minn. - Recruit Axe T. Buffington, Platton 1003, Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, balances himself on a chain bridge during the 12 Stalls event at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Aug. 27. The 12 Stalls event is a part of the Crucible, which is a 54-hour test of endurance where recruits must conquer more than 30 different obstacles while they experience food and sleep deprivation. During the Crucible, recruits utilize small unit leadership skills they’ve acquired throughout training. Buffington is a native of Princeton, Minn., and was recruited out of Recruiting Substation St. Cloud, Minn.

Manti Te’o, a San Diego Chargers’ linebacker, signs an autograph for a child during a military appreciation day aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Aug. 27. The Chargers practiced with the MCAS Miramar Falcons before socializing with fans. - Manti Te’o, a San Diego Chargers’ linebacker, signs an autograph for a child during a military appreciation day aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., Aug. 27. The Chargers practiced with the MCAS Miramar Falcons before socializing with fans.