From a slow take off to high flying - Capt. Kelsey Casey, from San Francisco, assigned to the “Tomcats” of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311, prepares for flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) during a certification exercise (CERTEX). Bonhomme Richard, flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, is supporting a CERTEX that will evaluate the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) on crisis response operations for a number of potential contingencies. CERTEX, taking place off the coast of and within Australia’s Shoalwater Bay Training Area, will test the MEU’s ability to conduct all of its core missions such as stability operations, non-combatant evacuation and disaster relief. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeanette Mullinax/Released)

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A U.S. Marine with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Intelligence Group fires a Beretta M9 service pistol during pistol qualification at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 6, 2018. Pistol qualification is required annually to sustain the skills of pistol marksmanship. - A U.S. Marine with 3rd Law Enforcement Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Intelligence Group fires a Beretta M9 service pistol during pistol qualification at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 6, 2018. Pistol qualification is required annually to sustain the skills of pistol marksmanship.

Jacob Lucero(second for left) and Nadeem Seirafi ((second from right) hold the leashes of Colli and Ricsi during the two Military Workings Dogs' retirement ceremony at the K-9 Training Field adjacent to the Adam Leigh Cann Canine Facility aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., Sept. 12. The two handlers partnered with their K-9 companions on the beat and are now adopting the two dogs as they retire from active duty. Lieutenant Steven Goss, (far right) kennel master, Marine Corps Police Department, presented the two dogs with retirement certificates. The other officers in the photo also partnered with Colli and Ricsi at different times in their careers. - Jacob Lucero(second for left) and Nadeem Seirafi ((second from right) hold the leashes of Colli and Ricsi during the two Military Workings Dogs' retirement ceremony at the K-9 Training Field adjacent to the Adam Leigh Cann Canine Facility aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., Sept. 12. The two handlers partnered with their K-9 companions on the beat and are now adopting the two dogs as they retire from active duty. Lieutenant Steven Goss, (far right) kennel master, Marine Corps Police Department, presented the two dogs with retirement certificates. The other officers in the photo also partnered with Colli and Ricsi at different times in their careers.

Here is a sneak preview of the video. - U.S. Marine Corps Pilots with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) talk about how the invention of powered aviation has impacted their lives and how it has allowed 2nd MAW to accomplish its mission across the globe at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Aug. 9, 2018. National Aviation Day is a day to appreciate powered aviation and how it changed the world. (U.S. Marine Corps graphic by Lance Cpl. Cody Rowe)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, left, outgoing commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Lt. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, incoming commander of MARFORPAC, salute the colors as they pass in review during the MARFORPAC change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 8, 2018. The change of command ceremony represents the transfer of responsibility and authority over MARFORPAC between commanders. - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, left, outgoing commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Lt. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, incoming commander of MARFORPAC, salute the colors as they pass in review during the MARFORPAC change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Aug. 8, 2018. The change of command ceremony represents the transfer of responsibility and authority over MARFORPAC between commanders.

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The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Glenn M. Walters poses for a photo with women attending the 2018 Joint Women's Leadership Symposium, San Diego, Calif., June 22, 2018. JWLS is the largest annual gathering of women in uniform in the nation hosted by the Sea Service Leadership Association, and is dedicated to providing preemient professional development events to women serving in the Department of Defense and Coast Guard. - The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Glenn M. Walters poses for a photo with women attending the 2018 Joint Women's Leadership Symposium, San Diego, Calif., June 22, 2018. JWLS is the largest annual gathering of women in uniform in the nation hosted by the Sea Service Leadership Association, and is dedicated to providing preemient professional development events to women serving in the Department of Defense and Coast Guard.

A Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Force Reconnaissance Platoon waits on the flight deck before low-light fast rope training aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, underway in the Pacific Ocean, June 25, 2017. The FRP Marines train regularly for quick, tactical raids of targets on both land and sea. Fast roping allows Marines to enter inaccessible locations via rope from a hovering aircraft. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 to form the amphibious component of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 combine to provide a cohesive blue-green team capable of accomplishing a variety of missions across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. - A Marine with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Force Reconnaissance Platoon waits on the flight deck before low-light fast rope training aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard, underway in the Pacific Ocean, June 25, 2017. The FRP Marines train regularly for quick, tactical raids of targets on both land and sea. Fast roping allows Marines to enter inaccessible locations via rope from a hovering aircraft. The 31st MEU partners with the Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 to form the amphibious component of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. The 31st MEU and PHIBRON 11 combine to provide a cohesive blue-green team capable of accomplishing a variety of missions across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Noncommissioned officers with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit toss medicine balls during a Force Fitness Instructor led High Intensity Tactical Training session at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, June 8, 2018. The 31st MEU is adopting an NCO-led FFI program to improve overall physical fitness while reducing injury and building unit morale. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations. - Noncommissioned officers with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit toss medicine balls during a Force Fitness Instructor led High Intensity Tactical Training session at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, June 8, 2018. The 31st MEU is adopting an NCO-led FFI program to improve overall physical fitness while reducing injury and building unit morale. The 31st MEU, the Marine Corps' only continuously forward-deployed MEU, provides a flexible force ready to perform a wide-range of military operations.

Howard Shappey demonstrates subduing techniques as part of Security Augmentaion Force training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island May 23. SAF is a detail of Marines selected to assist the Provost Marshal’s Office with security in emergency situations. Shappey is a training specialist with PMO. - Howard Shappey demonstrates subduing techniques as part of Security Augmentaion Force training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island May 23. SAF is a detail of Marines selected to assist the Provost Marshal’s Office with security in emergency situations. Shappey is a training specialist with PMO.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Jordan Becker, left, a cyber network specialist with Joint Task Force Matthew, offloads a generator from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with the help of the Brazilian service members at Jeremie, Haiti, Oct. 15, 2016. After eight days of supply drop operations JTF Matthew has delivered over 478,000 pounds of supplies utilizing various military aircraft. JTF Matthew, a U.S. Southern Command-directed team comprised of Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen, is providing critical airlift capabilities during the initial stages of the U.S. Agency for International Development's disaster relief operations in Haiti while the international response builds. - U.S. Marine Sgt. Jordan Becker, left, a cyber network specialist with Joint Task Force Matthew, offloads a generator from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with the help of the Brazilian service members at Jeremie, Haiti, Oct. 15, 2016. After eight days of supply drop operations JTF Matthew has delivered over 478,000 pounds of supplies utilizing various military aircraft. JTF Matthew, a U.S. Southern Command-directed team comprised of Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen, is providing critical airlift capabilities during the initial stages of the U.S. Agency for International Development's disaster relief operations in Haiti while the international response builds.

Oshana also explained why he decided to become an infantry first sergeant. - U.S. Marine 1st Sgt. Gilbert G. Oshana, Baker Company, 1st Marine Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment recounted why he believes in this country and the Marine Corps. Oshana also explained why he decided to become an infantry first sergeant.