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U.S. Marines with 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and members of the 2nd Intai Amfibi Battalion, Indonesian Korps Marinir, paddle back to shore on a combat rubber raiding craft during a reconnaissance exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 15, 2023. The Marines of 1st Recon Bn. host the bilateral training exercise annually to foster a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect between Indonesian service members and 1st MARDIV Marines and promote cultural exchange and understanding. - U.S. Marines with 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, and members of the 2nd Intai Amfibi Battalion, Indonesian Korps Marinir, paddle back to shore on a combat rubber raiding craft during a reconnaissance exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 15, 2023. The Marines of 1st Recon Bn. host the bilateral training exercise annually to foster a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect between Indonesian service members and 1st MARDIV Marines and promote cultural exchange and understanding.

U.S. Marines with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, conduct a timed ruck run during a Littoral Engineer Reconnaissance Team screener on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 18, 2021. 9th ESB conducted the screener to select the most qualified Marines and Sailors to serve on the Littoral Engineer Reconnaissance Team, and to introduce some of the physical and mental challenges that LERT Marines will be expected to overcome. The LERT is a 3rd MLG capability, specialized in engineering and mobility-specific intelligence reconnaissance in support of the battalion commander or any element of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as 3rd MLG’s comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. - U.S. Marines with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, conduct a timed ruck run during a Littoral Engineer Reconnaissance Team screener on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 18, 2021. 9th ESB conducted the screener to select the most qualified Marines and Sailors to serve on the Littoral Engineer Reconnaissance Team, and to introduce some of the physical and mental challenges that LERT Marines will be expected to overcome. The LERT is a 3rd MLG capability, specialized in engineering and mobility-specific intelligence reconnaissance in support of the battalion commander or any element of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. 3rd MLG, based out of Okinawa, Japan, is a forward deployed combat unit that serves as 3rd MLG’s comprehensive logistics and combat service support backbone for operations throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Alexander Hermann, a native of San Antonio, Texas, a joint tactical air controller with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, participates in a night mission during Exercise Caribbean Coastal Warrior on Savaneta Kamp, Aruba, June 27, 2021. The exercise allows 2nd Recon to expand its knowledge and proficiency when operating in littoral and coastal regions while increasing global interoperability with 32nd Raiding Squadron, Netherlands Marine Corps. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Alexander Hermann, a native of San Antonio, Texas, a joint tactical air controller with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, participates in a night mission during Exercise Caribbean Coastal Warrior on Savaneta Kamp, Aruba, June 27, 2021. The exercise allows 2nd Recon to expand its knowledge and proficiency when operating in littoral and coastal regions while increasing global interoperability with 32nd Raiding Squadron, Netherlands Marine Corps.

MCSC Marines carry double amputee during Recon Challenge - U.S. Marines with 3rd platoon, commonly known as “LOWLIFE,” Force Reconnaissance Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), pose for a photo in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in June of 2010. Nine years later, team “LOWLIFE” participated in the annual Recon Challenge, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, May 16, 2019. The Recon Challenge is a 30-mile obstacle course held to honor fallen Reconnaissance Marines. The team carried Jonathon Blank, who was medically retired after both of his legs were severed after stepping on an improvised explosive device, during a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Oct. 26, 2010. (Courtesy photo by Jonathon Blank.)

Recon Challenge 2019: Team LOWLIFE proves bonds not broken by time - U.S. Marines with 3rd platoon, commonly known as “LOWLIFE,” Force Reconnaissance Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), pose for a photo in Helmand province, Afghanistan, in June of 2010. Nine years later, team “LOWLIFE” is participating in the annual Recon Challenge, on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, May 16, 2019. The Recon Challenge is a 30-mile obstacle course held to honor fallen Reconnaissance Marines. The team will be carrying Jonathon Blank, who was medically retired after both of his legs were severed after stepping on an improvised explosive device, during a dismounted patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, on Oct. 26, 2010. (Courtesy photo by Jonathon Blank.)

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.

Marines with the Force Reconnaissance Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force stationed at Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan jump out of the aircraft and make their descent towards the drop zone at IDIS-Corps facility in Parker, Arizona, from July 12 to August 1, 2017 The Marines conducted high altitude high opening (HAHO) sustainment training, while implementing the Joint Precision Air Drop System (JPADS). - Marines with the Force Reconnaissance Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force stationed at Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan jump out of the aircraft and make their descent towards the drop zone at IDIS-Corps facility in Parker, Arizona, from July 12 to August 1, 2017 The Marines conducted high altitude high opening (HAHO) sustainment training, while implementing the Joint Precision Air Drop System (JPADS).

A Marine assumes an alternative shooting position at the end of a timed sniper course exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 19, 2017. The Expeditionary Operations Training Group ran the course to teach long-range precision marksmanship to Marines from different units. The students are with the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion and the battalion landing team with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. - A Marine assumes an alternative shooting position at the end of a timed sniper course exercise at Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 19, 2017. The Expeditionary Operations Training Group ran the course to teach long-range precision marksmanship to Marines from different units. The students are with the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion and the battalion landing team with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Ed Maziarski (left) and Jake Feeney of Reconnaissance and Amphibious Raids at Marine Corps Systems Command prepare a diver propulsion device for testing July 18 at Lake Anna in Spotsylvania, Virginia. The team worked with Marine combatant divers to conduct tests of potential upgrades to the DPD to improve its speed and controllability. - Ed Maziarski (left) and Jake Feeney of Reconnaissance and Amphibious Raids at Marine Corps Systems Command prepare a diver propulsion device for testing July 18 at Lake Anna in Spotsylvania, Virginia. The team worked with Marine combatant divers to conduct tests of potential upgrades to the DPD to improve its speed and controllability.

Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew J. Cool (center), a Fleet Marine Force reconnaissance corpsman and Inspector-Instructor medical staff with 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, teaches reserve sailors methods of waterproofing gear during a FMF reconnaissance corpsman screening in San Antonio, April 19, 2016. The screening was hosted by 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, for Sailors across Marine Forces Reserve and the U.S. Navy Reserve to gain familiarity with the demands of the FMF reconnaissance corpsman pipeline. - Petty Officer 1st Class Matthew J. Cool (center), a Fleet Marine Force reconnaissance corpsman and Inspector-Instructor medical staff with 4th Force Reconnaissance Company, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, teaches reserve sailors methods of waterproofing gear during a FMF reconnaissance corpsman screening in San Antonio, April 19, 2016. The screening was hosted by 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, for Sailors across Marine Forces Reserve and the U.S. Navy Reserve to gain familiarity with the demands of the FMF reconnaissance corpsman pipeline.

Marines with Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, advance to their objective during an amphibious operations training exercise as part of an Expeditionary Operations Training Group course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 21, 2016. The Marines conducted beach surveys from designated positions in the ocean, where they observed and reported information to their headquarters team. - Marines with Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, advance to their objective during an amphibious operations training exercise as part of an Expeditionary Operations Training Group course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 21, 2016. The Marines conducted beach surveys from designated positions in the ocean, where they observed and reported information to their headquarters team.

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Marines with Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, survey a named area of interest during reconnaissance and surveillance training, Nov. 19-21, 2015, aboard Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii. The Marines conducted insertion, infiltration, execution, exfiltration, and extraction in terrain unfamiliar to what is usually found at their home base in California. The Hawaiian terrain ranged from beach shores, to dense jungle and open valleys during pouring rains - Marines with Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, survey a named area of interest during reconnaissance and surveillance training, Nov. 19-21, 2015, aboard Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii. The Marines conducted insertion, infiltration, execution, exfiltration, and extraction in terrain unfamiliar to what is usually found at their home base in California. The Hawaiian terrain ranged from beach shores, to dense jungle and open valleys during pouring rains

U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the French 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment (RIAOM) perform crunches as part of indoctrination prior to participating in a desert survival course. Elements of the 15th MEU are training with the 5th RIAOM in Djibouti in order to improve interoperability between the MEU and the French military. - U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the French 5th Overseas Combined Arms Regiment (RIAOM) perform crunches as part of indoctrination prior to participating in a desert survival course. Elements of the 15th MEU are training with the 5th RIAOM in Djibouti in order to improve interoperability between the MEU and the French military.

Philippine Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Bimbo R. Busico explains how to make a snare out of the surrounding environment during jungle survival training at Ternate, Philippines, Sept. 29, as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2015. The Marines learned basic jungle survival skills, such as building a fire, finding sources of fresh water and catching food. - Philippine Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Bimbo R. Busico explains how to make a snare out of the surrounding environment during jungle survival training at Ternate, Philippines, Sept. 29, as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2015. The Marines learned basic jungle survival skills, such as building a fire, finding sources of fresh water and catching food.

A Marine with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division lands at his designated drop zone following a High Altitude – High Opening insertion event at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 17, 2015. The goal of the training was to sharpen a skill set that is of great advantage to expeditionary forces, allowing the jumpers to infiltrate locations where access would be too difficult for vehicles. - A Marine with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division lands at his designated drop zone following a High Altitude – High Opening insertion event at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 17, 2015. The goal of the training was to sharpen a skill set that is of great advantage to expeditionary forces, allowing the jumpers to infiltrate locations where access would be too difficult for vehicles.

Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct unknown distance shooting during the Pre-Scout Sniper Course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 17, 2015. The six-week long course is designed to prepare and screen students for the follow-on training at Scout Sniper Basic School - Marines with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, conduct unknown distance shooting during the Pre-Scout Sniper Course at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 17, 2015. The six-week long course is designed to prepare and screen students for the follow-on training at Scout Sniper Basic School

U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), fast rope from a SH-60 Seahawk with Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 while conducting visit, board, search and seizure training during an Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (ARG/MEU-Ex) aboard the USNS Robert E. Peary June 19, 2015. Marines and sailors with the 26th MEU and PHIBRON 4 are conducting an ARG/MEU-Ex in preparation for their deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility later this year. - U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), fast rope from a SH-60 Seahawk with Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 while conducting visit, board, search and seizure training during an Amphibious Ready Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (ARG/MEU-Ex) aboard the USNS Robert E. Peary June 19, 2015. Marines and sailors with the 26th MEU and PHIBRON 4 are conducting an ARG/MEU-Ex in preparation for their deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility later this year.

Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, prepare to dive and perform underwater knot-tying in a Special Operation Command screener during a pre-dive course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 25 – June 5, 2015. The students had to tie five knots underwater; having only five separate breathing opportunities with only 30 seconds on the surface of the water between tying each knot. - Marines with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, prepare to dive and perform underwater knot-tying in a Special Operation Command screener during a pre-dive course at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 25 – June 5, 2015. The students had to tie five knots underwater; having only five separate breathing opportunities with only 30 seconds on the surface of the water between tying each knot.

A reconnaissance Marine swims 500 meters during a qualification to compete in the Recon Challenge at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 14, 2015. The Recon Challenge is an annual competition of grueling tests, hosted by the Reconnaissance Training Company, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry West, and conducted by volunteers from the recon community in honor of reconnaissance Marines and sailors killed in action. - A reconnaissance Marine swims 500 meters during a qualification to compete in the Recon Challenge at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, May 14, 2015. The Recon Challenge is an annual competition of grueling tests, hosted by the Reconnaissance Training Company, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry West, and conducted by volunteers from the recon community in honor of reconnaissance Marines and sailors killed in action.

A Marine with Bravo Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion prepares to jump from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at an altitude of 6,000 feet during a four-day certification exercise aboard Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic, N.C., April 23, 2015. Marines commenced the exercise performing inserts through helocasting and double-bag static lines to collect information on the objective. - A Marine with Bravo Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion prepares to jump from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter at an altitude of 6,000 feet during a four-day certification exercise aboard Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic, N.C., April 23, 2015. Marines commenced the exercise performing inserts through helocasting and double-bag static lines to collect information on the objective.

Sgt. Maj. Garritt E. Duncan with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division jumps out the back of an aircraft during monthly airborne jumps aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 1, 2015. Jumping at 12,500 feet above ground level, the Marines free-fall for about a minute before they release their parachutes near 5,000 feet and descend onto the landing zone. - Sgt. Maj. Garritt E. Duncan with 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division jumps out the back of an aircraft during monthly airborne jumps aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., April 1, 2015. Jumping at 12,500 feet above ground level, the Marines free-fall for about a minute before they release their parachutes near 5,000 feet and descend onto the landing zone.

Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, await extraction in a field during a live-fire raid at Range 226 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 1, 2015. The company conducted the live-fire exercise as part of a predeployment workup in support of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. - Marines with Charlie Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, await extraction in a field during a live-fire raid at Range 226 aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 1, 2015. The company conducted the live-fire exercise as part of a predeployment workup in support of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marines with Force Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conduct a structural integrity check on an Internally Transportable Vehicle during a training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 16, 2015. Insertion with ITVs is only one of many methods reconnaissance Marines can be inserted when conducting a mission. - Marines with Force Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conduct a structural integrity check on an Internally Transportable Vehicle during a training exercise aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 16, 2015. Insertion with ITVs is only one of many methods reconnaissance Marines can be inserted when conducting a mission.

Corporal David Elliot, a sniper with Bravo Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion and a native of Santa Rosa, Calif., communicates with his partner during the aerial sniper portion of the machine-gun and aerial sniper familiarization exercise at training area SR-8 aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 12, 2015. Marines with the unit used M240B machine guns and M110 semi-automatic sniper systems during the aerial sniper and machine gun familiarization fire. - Corporal David Elliot, a sniper with Bravo Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion and a native of Santa Rosa, Calif., communicates with his partner during the aerial sniper portion of the machine-gun and aerial sniper familiarization exercise at training area SR-8 aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 12, 2015. Marines with the unit used M240B machine guns and M110 semi-automatic sniper systems during the aerial sniper and machine gun familiarization fire.

Marines in a jumpmaster course wait to board a C-130 aircraft at Bogue Airfield, Bogue, N.C., March 11, 2015. Army instructors from Fort Benning, Ga., came to Camp Lejeune to teach Marines what they need to know to be a jumpmaster, including how to perform personnel inspections, how to react to certain malfunctions and how to jump with several types of equipment. - Marines in a jumpmaster course wait to board a C-130 aircraft at Bogue Airfield, Bogue, N.C., March 11, 2015. Army instructors from Fort Benning, Ga., came to Camp Lejeune to teach Marines what they need to know to be a jumpmaster, including how to perform personnel inspections, how to react to certain malfunctions and how to jump with several types of equipment.

A fire team with 2nd Force Reconnaissance Detachment 6 moves outside after clearing a building during a close-quarters tactics training event at Expeditionary Operations Training Group compound at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 6, 2015. Marines with 2nd FRD 6 clear and extract unknown targets in a building with narrow hallways and small rooms using tactics and safety standards they learned while at the reconnaissance and surveillance course conducted by EOTG. - A fire team with 2nd Force Reconnaissance Detachment 6 moves outside after clearing a building during a close-quarters tactics training event at Expeditionary Operations Training Group compound at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 6, 2015. Marines with 2nd FRD 6 clear and extract unknown targets in a building with narrow hallways and small rooms using tactics and safety standards they learned while at the reconnaissance and surveillance course conducted by EOTG.

A Marine, with Force Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, packs his parachute after completing a High Altitude Low Opening free-fall jump during a parachute training exercise at Training Landing Zone Pheasant aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 28. When Marines with the battalion insert for a mission, they carry enough equipment to sustain themselves for up to 96 hours. - A Marine, with Force Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, packs his parachute after completing a High Altitude Low Opening free-fall jump during a parachute training exercise at Training Landing Zone Pheasant aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 28. When Marines with the battalion insert for a mission, they carry enough equipment to sustain themselves for up to 96 hours.

Republic of Korea Marines demonstrate their combat tactics for U.S. Marines during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-4 Feb. 4 at the Pyeongchang Winter Training Facility, Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. Sharing cultures is a significant factor in gaining a better understanding of the combat tactics of the two forces despite the language barrier, according to ROK Marine Capt. Moon Jung Hwan. KMEP is a regularly scheduled, bilateral, small-unit training exercise, which enhances the combat readiness and interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps’ forces. The ROK Marines are with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Cedric R. Haller II/Released) - Republic of Korea Marines demonstrate their combat tactics for U.S. Marines during Korean Marine Exchange Program 15-4 Feb. 4 at the Pyeongchang Winter Training Facility, Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. Sharing cultures is a significant factor in gaining a better understanding of the combat tactics of the two forces despite the language barrier, according to ROK Marine Capt. Moon Jung Hwan. KMEP is a regularly scheduled, bilateral, small-unit training exercise, which enhances the combat readiness and interoperability of ROK and U.S. Marine Corps’ forces. The ROK Marines are with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division. The U.S. Marines are with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force under the unit deployment program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Cedric R. Haller II/Released)

Marines with Force Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division clear a room after conducting a mechanical breach during a breach and clear exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 15, 2015. Marines with Force Company conducted explosive and mechanical breaches and limited force raids in preparation for future deployments. - Marines with Force Company, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division clear a room after conducting a mechanical breach during a breach and clear exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 15, 2015. Marines with Force Company conducted explosive and mechanical breaches and limited force raids in preparation for future deployments.

U.S Marine Sgt. Eric Maehler holds security while conducting a raid during realistic urban training at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Dec. 8, 2014. Maehler is a team leader with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force. RUT prepares the Marines of the 15th MEU for their upcoming deployment by enhancing their combat skills in environments they may encounter in future missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anna Albrecht/Released) - U.S Marine Sgt. Eric Maehler holds security while conducting a raid during realistic urban training at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Dec. 8, 2014. Maehler is a team leader with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Maritime Raid Force. RUT prepares the Marines of the 15th MEU for their upcoming deployment by enhancing their combat skills in environments they may encounter in future missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anna Albrecht/Released)

Marines load a diver propulsion device into a combat rubber raiding craft Sept. 20 at U.S. Naval Base Guam during Exercise Valiant Shield 2014. The device aids the Marines conducting night infiltration. Valiant Shield is a U.S.-only exercise integrating Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps assets, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities, which provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners. The Marines are reconnaissance men with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Marines load a diver propulsion device into a combat rubber raiding craft Sept. 20 at U.S. Naval Base Guam during Exercise Valiant Shield 2014. The device aids the Marines conducting night infiltration. Valiant Shield is a U.S.-only exercise integrating Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps assets, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities, which provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners. The Marines are reconnaissance men with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.