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Georgia Army Cpl. Alika Gitolendia, right, and Sgt. Vepkhvia Gelashvili, members of the 2018 Marine Corps Trials Georgian team pose with a small shark caught while fishing at Ocean Crest Pier in Oak Island, N.C., March 14, 2018, as part of the USO of North Carolina’s “American Experience Day.” The Marine Corps Trials promotes recovery and rehabilitation through adaptive sport participation and develops camaraderie among recovering service members and veterans. It is as an opportunity for RSMs to demonstrate their achievements and serves as the primary venue to select Marine Corps participants for the DoD Warrior Games. - Georgia Army Cpl. Alika Gitolendia, right, and Sgt. Vepkhvia Gelashvili, members of the 2018 Marine Corps Trials Georgian team pose with a small shark caught while fishing at Ocean Crest Pier in Oak Island, N.C., March 14, 2018, as part of the USO of North Carolina’s “American Experience Day.” The Marine Corps Trials promotes recovery and rehabilitation through adaptive sport participation and develops camaraderie among recovering service members and veterans. It is as an opportunity for RSMs to demonstrate their achievements and serves as the primary venue to select Marine Corps participants for the DoD Warrior Games.

The MK-2 Mod 1 Talon, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot controlled by Marines with EOD Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, is used instead of Marines to acquire initial visuals of an improvised explosive device during an IED access training exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 29, 2016. During the exercise, evaluators assessed Marines on safely locating and disposing of an IED while suppressing the full capabilities of the threat. - The MK-2 Mod 1 Talon, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot controlled by Marines with EOD Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion, is used instead of Marines to acquire initial visuals of an improvised explosive device during an IED access training exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 29, 2016. During the exercise, evaluators assessed Marines on safely locating and disposing of an IED while suppressing the full capabilities of the threat.

An MV-22B Osprey, operated by a crew with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204, carries cargo during a night time external lifts operation at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 14, 2015. Marines with 2nd TSB supported the exercise to facilitate the required flight hours for student pilots, and practice their own skills as a helicopter support team securing transportation of resources for Marines that would need it in a real-world operation. - An MV-22B Osprey, operated by a crew with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204, carries cargo during a night time external lifts operation at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 14, 2015. Marines with 2nd TSB supported the exercise to facilitate the required flight hours for student pilots, and practice their own skills as a helicopter support team securing transportation of resources for Marines that would need it in a real-world operation.

Staff Sgt. Mark W. Damm with Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, receives the John Archer Lejeune Award for Bravery during the American Hero Awards Oct. 28, 2015, in Jacksonville, N.C. Damm was awarded for his actions during a mission in Afghanistan, when he led an 84-man assault that repelled numerous enemy attacks while Afghan police realigned security checkpoints. Damm directed friendly forces during numerous engagements and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire, ultimately saving friendly lives and successfully completing the mission. - Staff Sgt. Mark W. Damm with Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, receives the John Archer Lejeune Award for Bravery during the American Hero Awards Oct. 28, 2015, in Jacksonville, N.C. Damm was awarded for his actions during a mission in Afghanistan, when he led an 84-man assault that repelled numerous enemy attacks while Afghan police realigned security checkpoints. Damm directed friendly forces during numerous engagements and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire, ultimately saving friendly lives and successfully completing the mission.

Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment rush to a wire trap to set up a Bangalore charge to destroy the trap during a demolitions exercise with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion at Engineer Training Area 7 on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 22, 2015. Marines with 2/2 increased their proficiency and knowledge with various charges and techniques with the help of 2nd CEB. - Marines with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment rush to a wire trap to set up a Bangalore charge to destroy the trap during a demolitions exercise with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion at Engineer Training Area 7 on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 22, 2015. Marines with 2/2 increased their proficiency and knowledge with various charges and techniques with the help of 2nd CEB.

Marines with 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, drive assault amphibious vehicles to shore from the USS Whidbey Island during amphibious training operations in the waters off the coast of Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 16, 2015. The exercise allowed Marines to fulfill their required ship operations and gave sailors aboard the Whidbey Island the opportunity to work with Marines during their own amphibious training. - Marines with 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, drive assault amphibious vehicles to shore from the USS Whidbey Island during amphibious training operations in the waters off the coast of Camp Lejeune, N.C., July 16, 2015. The exercise allowed Marines to fulfill their required ship operations and gave sailors aboard the Whidbey Island the opportunity to work with Marines during their own amphibious training.

Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, measure detonation cord and create breaching charges during the urban breaching portion of a demolition package at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 10, 2015. The demolition package was conducted in preparation for an upcoming deployment, where the two units will be working together in support of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response- Africa. - Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion and 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, measure detonation cord and create breaching charges during the urban breaching portion of a demolition package at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, July 10, 2015. The demolition package was conducted in preparation for an upcoming deployment, where the two units will be working together in support of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response- Africa.

Marines with the Fire Support Team for Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), observe ordnance from U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers during a combined arms live-fire event as part of exercise Eager Lion 2015 in Jordan, May 18, 2015. Eager Lion is a recurring multi-national exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability between partner nations and enhance regional security and stability. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. - Marines with the Fire Support Team for Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), observe ordnance from U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress bombers during a combined arms live-fire event as part of exercise Eager Lion 2015 in Jordan, May 18, 2015. Eager Lion is a recurring multi-national exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability between partner nations and enhance regional security and stability. The 24th MEU is embarked on the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and is deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

Light armored vehicle crewmen with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion man a crew-served M240 Bravo medium machine gun during a live-fire platoon attack exercise on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 15, 2015. The unit utilized machine guns, which stood in for the battalion’s light armored vehicles for the exercise, but the weapon systems still provided an opportunity for Marines to maintain their combat skills. - Light armored vehicle crewmen with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion man a crew-served M240 Bravo medium machine gun during a live-fire platoon attack exercise on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, April 15, 2015. The unit utilized machine guns, which stood in for the battalion’s light armored vehicles for the exercise, but the weapon systems still provided an opportunity for Marines to maintain their combat skills.

Marines with 2nd Marine Logistics Group practice using the M26 Joint Service Transportable Decontamination System during a CBRN decontamination course aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 4, 2015. Students of the week-long course learned about detection of and protection against CBRN agents and the processes of decontaminating troops, equipment and vehicles. - Marines with 2nd Marine Logistics Group practice using the M26 Joint Service Transportable Decontamination System during a CBRN decontamination course aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 4, 2015. Students of the week-long course learned about detection of and protection against CBRN agents and the processes of decontaminating troops, equipment and vehicles.

A Marine with 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion scans for enemy troops after a simulated attack during a week-long field exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 24, 2015. Maintaining amphibious units is vital to the naval expeditionary nature of the Marine Corps, and maintaining the readiness and standards of every Marine ensures high performance and fast deployment capabilities. - A Marine with 2nd Assault Amphibious Battalion scans for enemy troops after a simulated attack during a week-long field exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 24, 2015. Maintaining amphibious units is vital to the naval expeditionary nature of the Marine Corps, and maintaining the readiness and standards of every Marine ensures high performance and fast deployment capabilities.

Col. Matthew G. St. Clair, commanding officer, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, presents 1st Lt. Benjamin Sheldon, platoon commander, Company A, GCEITF, with a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat "V" distinguishing device at the task force headquarters, Oct. 10, 2014. Sheldon was awarded for actions during a deployment to Afghanistan with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, from September 2013 to May 2014. From October 2014 to July 2015, the GCEITF will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul S. Martinez/Released) - Col. Matthew G. St. Clair, commanding officer, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, presents 1st Lt. Benjamin Sheldon, platoon commander, Company A, GCEITF, with a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat "V" distinguishing device at the task force headquarters, Oct. 10, 2014. Sheldon was awarded for actions during a deployment to Afghanistan with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, from September 2013 to May 2014. From October 2014 to July 2015, the GCEITF will conduct individual and collective level skills training in designated ground combat arms occupational specialties in order to facilitate the standards based assessment of the physical performance of Marines in a simulated operating environment performing specific ground combat arms tasks. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Paul S. Martinez/Released)

A Marine with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, drives an M88A2 Hercules Recovery Vehicle during a vehicle recovery training operation aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 29, 2014. Approximately 20 Marines conducted a training operation to recover an immobilized Hercules using a pulley and winch system. Marines and sailors with the battalion conducted a field exercise Sept. 18 - Oct. 1, 2014, to reinforce their capability to accomplish battalion-level, mission essential tasks. - A Marine with 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, drives an M88A2 Hercules Recovery Vehicle during a vehicle recovery training operation aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Sept. 29, 2014. Approximately 20 Marines conducted a training operation to recover an immobilized Hercules using a pulley and winch system. Marines and sailors with the battalion conducted a field exercise Sept. 18 - Oct. 1, 2014, to reinforce their capability to accomplish battalion-level, mission essential tasks.