Staff Sgt. Nathan A. Hervey, an instructor with the Advanced Infantry Training Battalion at the School of Infantry-East, speaks to Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 5, 2016. Hervey was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the combat distinguishing device for valor, and was recognized for extraordinary heroism for his actions on May 21, 2011, while carrying out his duties as a scout sniper section leader with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. - Staff Sgt. Nathan A. Hervey, an instructor with the Advanced Infantry Training Battalion at the School of Infantry-East, speaks to Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 5, 2016. Hervey was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the combat distinguishing device for valor, and was recognized for extraordinary heroism for his actions on May 21, 2011, while carrying out his duties as a scout sniper section leader with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 load a CH-53E Super Stallion onto a C-5 Galaxy in preparation for Operation Cold Response 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 3, 2016. The key purpose of Cold Response is to train and educate participants on how to conduct combat operations in a cold weather environment. Up to 2,000 Marines and 15,000 military personnel from 14 nations will attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-level exercise. - Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 load a CH-53E Super Stallion onto a C-5 Galaxy in preparation for Operation Cold Response 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Feb. 3, 2016. The key purpose of Cold Response is to train and educate participants on how to conduct combat operations in a cold weather environment. Up to 2,000 Marines and 15,000 military personnel from 14 nations will attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-level exercise.

A Marine student undergoing the 2nd Marine Division Combat Skills Center’s Pre-Scout Sniper Course departs a field following a stalking exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 22, 2016. The DCSC offers several infantry-based courses to enhance the combat readiness of its Marines. - A Marine student undergoing the 2nd Marine Division Combat Skills Center’s Pre-Scout Sniper Course departs a field following a stalking exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Jan. 22, 2016. The DCSC offers several infantry-based courses to enhance the combat readiness of its Marines.

Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command dive out the back of a MV-22B Osprey with the goal of hitting their pre-designated landing zone with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Jan. 21, 2016. The squadron supported Marine Raiders by conducting high altitude low opening jumps as well as static line jumps to allow them to train for future operations. - Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command dive out the back of a MV-22B Osprey with the goal of hitting their pre-designated landing zone with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Jan. 21, 2016. The squadron supported Marine Raiders by conducting high altitude low opening jumps as well as static line jumps to allow them to train for future operations.

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274’s Engineer Company, Heavy Equipment Platoon set their pace count before beginning a land navigation course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Jan. 13, 2016. During the 19-point course, 20 Marines headed to the field to re-experience the basic land navigation process. The course was a refresher for most of the Marines, who have not used land navigation since Marine Combat Training. - Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 274’s Engineer Company, Heavy Equipment Platoon set their pace count before beginning a land navigation course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Jan. 13, 2016. During the 19-point course, 20 Marines headed to the field to re-experience the basic land navigation process. The course was a refresher for most of the Marines, who have not used land navigation since Marine Combat Training.

Lance Cpl. Quentin J. Stallings, left, and Lance Cpl. Kyle H. Clemens, right, configure the settings on a water pump and filter at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C., Dec. 9, 2015. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271’s Engineer Company participated in a cantonment and capabilities field exercise to practice and improve their knowledge of their jobs while in a deployed environment. The week-long exercise featured events such as airfield damage repair, water purification, medium and heavy lifting missions, with the construction of an expedient road for a vertical take-off and landing aircraft pad. Stallings and Clemens are both water support technicians with MWSS-271. - Lance Cpl. Quentin J. Stallings, left, and Lance Cpl. Kyle H. Clemens, right, configure the settings on a water pump and filter at Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field Bogue, N.C., Dec. 9, 2015. Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 271’s Engineer Company participated in a cantonment and capabilities field exercise to practice and improve their knowledge of their jobs while in a deployed environment. The week-long exercise featured events such as airfield damage repair, water purification, medium and heavy lifting missions, with the construction of an expedient road for a vertical take-off and landing aircraft pad. Stallings and Clemens are both water support technicians with MWSS-271.

A Marine with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, looks a through compass during a 60mm mortar live-fire range at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 19, 2015. Despite heavy rainfall and wind, the Marines completed the mortar shoot in order to retain and refine their skills with the weapons system and prove they could complete a fire mission under any conditions. - A Marine with 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, looks a through compass during a 60mm mortar live-fire range at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 19, 2015. Despite heavy rainfall and wind, the Marines completed the mortar shoot in order to retain and refine their skills with the weapons system and prove they could complete a fire mission under any conditions.

Staff Sgt. James Hohenstein, a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, mans a GAU-21 .50 caliber mounted machine gun during urban close air support training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 19, 2015. Marines with HMLA-167 flew in a UH-1Y Venom to Camp Lejeune to assist joint terminal air controllers conducting realistic training with air support. - Staff Sgt. James Hohenstein, a crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, mans a GAU-21 .50 caliber mounted machine gun during urban close air support training at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 19, 2015. Marines with HMLA-167 flew in a UH-1Y Venom to Camp Lejeune to assist joint terminal air controllers conducting realistic training with air support.

Brig. Gen David Jones, commander of the Belize Defence Force, and Maj. Gen. William Beydler, former commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, meet during a visit to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 22, 2015. The purpose of the visit was to assess the capabilities of U.S. forces, discern opportunities for Belize forces to train alongside Marines and sustain enduring partnerships between the two countries in their efforts to counter transnational organized crime. - Brig. Gen David Jones, commander of the Belize Defence Force, and Maj. Gen. William Beydler, former commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force, meet during a visit to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 22, 2015. The purpose of the visit was to assess the capabilities of U.S. forces, discern opportunities for Belize forces to train alongside Marines and sustain enduring partnerships between the two countries in their efforts to counter transnational organized crime.

Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines tackle some of their first fuel fires at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 16, 2015. The training exercise taught the new Marines how to battle the heat and keep pushing until they annihilate the flames, as well as get used to the environment of a real fire. - Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Marines tackle some of their first fuel fires at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 16, 2015. The training exercise taught the new Marines how to battle the heat and keep pushing until they annihilate the flames, as well as get used to the environment of a real fire.

A Marine with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, prepares to submerge underwater while wearing a supplemental emergency breathing device at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 22, 2015. The company participated in the submerged vehicle egress training to gain confidence in their abilities to safely exit a sinking amphibious assault vehicle in preparation for their upcoming deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. - A Marine with Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, prepares to submerge underwater while wearing a supplemental emergency breathing device at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 22, 2015. The company participated in the submerged vehicle egress training to gain confidence in their abilities to safely exit a sinking amphibious assault vehicle in preparation for their upcoming deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Regiment, advance on a simulated village during a field exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 25, 2015. They assaulted a simulated town, set up a defensive position and waited to repel simulated attacks in preparation for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response. - Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Regiment, advance on a simulated village during a field exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 25, 2015. They assaulted a simulated town, set up a defensive position and waited to repel simulated attacks in preparation for their upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response.

Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, drive the Polaris Rzr tactical vehicle along all-terrain vehicle trails during an all-terrain vehicle course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 18, 2015. Marines drove the Polaris Rzr tactical vehicles through sand, mud, uneven terrain, and hills to gain experience with handling the vehicle. - Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, drive the Polaris Rzr tactical vehicle along all-terrain vehicle trails during an all-terrain vehicle course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Aug. 18, 2015. Marines drove the Polaris Rzr tactical vehicles through sand, mud, uneven terrain, and hills to gain experience with handling the vehicle.