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Second lieutenant Lillian Polatchek poses in front of an M1A1 Abrams tank at Fort Benning, Georgia. Polatchek is the first female Marine Tank Officer after graduating as the distinguished honor graduate of her Army’s Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course on April 12, 2017.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Molly Hampton

. Second lieutenant Polatchek presents an instructor with a graduation gift during the Army’s Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, April 12, 2017. Polatchek graduated at the top of her class and is now the first female Tank Officer in the Marine Corps.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Troy Saunders

Second lieutenant Lillian Polatchek poses with her mother, Patsy Polatchek, after graduating from the Army’s Armor Basic Officer Leaders Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, April 12, 2017. Polatchek graduated at the top of her class and is now the first female Tank Officer in the Marine Corps.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Troy Saunders

Staff Sgt. John Williams, the platoon sergeant of Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, discusses defensive positions with the Marines of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces while in Saudi Arabia, March 5, 2017. The training proved to be an enhancing opportunity for both the U.S. and Saudi Marines. Deploying U.S. Marines into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to conduct combined military training with our partner nations’ security forces strengthens our vital relationships with partners in this important region.

Photo by Cpl. Christopher Thompson

Staff Sgt. John Williams, the platoon sergeant of Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command, and Marines with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, clear rooms during a squad attack exercise in Saudi Arabia, March 9, 2017. The training proved to be an enhancing opportunity for both the U.S. and Saudi Marines. Deploying U.S. Marines into the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to conduct combined military training with our partner nations’ security forces strengthens our vital relationships with partners in this important region.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher Thompson

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. William Pearson, Decontamination Team Member, left, and Cpl. Carlos Flores, Decontamination Team Leader, with Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Platoon, G-3, 3d Marine Division, walk back to the “cold zone” with all contaminated gear properly contained at Combat Town, Okinawa, Japan, March 21, 2017. The CBRN Platoon conducts response drills to enhance the commander’s capabilities by exercising the operability and efficiency of the consequence management set within the 3d Marine Division CBRN response element.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Jesus McCloud

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. William Pearn, a Shohola, Pennsylvania native, camouflage himself using surrounding vegetation during exercise Forest Light at Somagahara, Japan, March 10, 2017. Forest Light is one of various bi-lateral training opportunities conducted by Japan Ground Self-Defense and deployed U.S. Marine forces to demonstrate the enduring commitment by both countries to peace, stability, and prosperity across the region. Pearn is a machine gunner training for scout sniper school with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Photo by Sgt. Isaac Ibarra

Dutch Lieutenant Col. Enrique Sanchez awards Sgt. Maj. Erik Schujer with a Silver Medal during the 2017 Marine Corps Trials Archery Competition at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 13, 2017. Sanchez and Schujer are members of the 2017 Marine Corps Trials International Team. The Marine Corps Trials promotes recovery and rehabilitation through adaptive sport participation and develops camaraderie among recovering Service members and veterans. It is an opportunity for RSMs to demonstrate their achievements and serves as the primary venue to select Marine Corps participants for the DoD Warrior Games.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ariana Acosta

Brig. Gen. William Seely III, the Director of Intelligence at Headquarters Marine Corps, evaluates a demonstration given by members of the Marine Corps Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Enterprise Accelerator Program at Stafford, Virginia, Dec. 9. Helios, the technology developed during the program, is designed to keep request for intelligence (RFI) customers informed throughout the production process. The demonstration is the culmination of 12 weeks of design and development for Helios.

Photo by Sgt. Terence Brady

Colonel Anthony M. Henderson speaks to an audience at a morning plenary during the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute at the Washington Hilton, Nov. 21, 2016. Marines host events, including workouts and workshops for the TMCF as a way to give back to the community and shape diverse young leaders. Hundreds of students from around the United States gather for the TMCF for the opportunity to learn from experienced men and women who rose from the same cultural backgrounds.

Photo by Cpl. Shaehmus Sawyer

Colonel Anthony M. Henderson speaks to an audience at a morning plenary during the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute at the Washington Hilton, Nov. 21, 2016. Marines host events, including workouts and workshops for the TMCF as a way to give back to the community and shape diverse young leaders. Hundreds of students from around the United States gather for the TMCF for the opportunity to learn from experienced men and women who rose from the same cultural backgrounds.

Photo by Cpl. Shaehmus Sawyer

Colonel Derrick Heyl, Commanding Officer of Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, speaks to his Marines after completing a 3-mile motivational formation run here, Nov. 9, 2016. Each year, Marines celebrate the Corps’ birthday with a cake-cutting ceremony followed by a run. Since Nov. 10, 1775, the United States Marine Corps has earned the reputation as the world's most effective expeditionary fighting force – engaging in combat on battlefields across the globe. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sara Graham)

Photo by Sgt. Sara Graham

Lieutenant General Rex C. McMillian, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces Northern Command, salutes alongside fellow Marines, during the singing of the national anthem, while attending the opening ceremony of the San Francisco 49ers’ game against the New Orleans Saints at Levi’s Stadium, Nov. 6, 2016. McMillian was the National Football League’s guest of honor at the game as part of its “Salute to Service” campaign. Today, approximately 500 Reserve Marines are providing fully integrated operational support to Fleet and Combatant Commanders around the world. For more information on the history and heritage of the Marine Corps Reserve as well as current Marine stories and upcoming Centennial events, please visit www.marines.mil/usmcr100. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dallas Johnson)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Dallas Johnson

From left, U.S. Marine Sgt. Jordan Vian, a native of Medford, Oregon; Cpl. Sarah Liggett, a native of Hillsboro, Oregon; and Cpl. William Iverson, a native of Eugene, Oregon, all combat engineers with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force - Southern Command, align the hinge for the window of a building used to house Honduran soldiers in Leimus, Honduras, Sept. 02, 2016. U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Southern Command participated in engineering projects, security cooperation and disaster relief preparation in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

Photo by Cpl. Karen Cruz

First Lieutenant Khalif I. Yisrael, a platoon commander assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Africa, briefs the scheme of maneuver during an alert force drill at Air Base Morón, Spain, Oct. 20, 2016. The purpose of the drill was to rehearse and assess the SPMAGTF’s ability to integrate elements and respond to a time-sensitive crisis. SPMAGTF-CR-AF is designed to provide contingency support to U.S. Africa Command, including tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel, embassy reinforcement, support to noncombatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Photo by Sgt. Jessika Braden

Capt. William Cunningham, a competitor with the Marine Corps Shooting Team, gives advice to a Royal Marine to improve his control of a pistol in a practice match during the Royal Marines Operational Shooting Competition, Sept. 12, 2016, The Royal Marines are competing against and building bonds with the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the U.S. Marines.

Photo by Cpl. Robert Williams

Capt. William Cunningham aims a SA80 A2 rifle, Sept. 13, 2016, at Altcar Training Camp, Merseyside, England. Cunningham is participating in a practice match during the Royal Marines Operational Shooting Competition from Sept. 6-22, 2016. The U.S. Marines are competing against the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the Royal Marines. Cunningham is with Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

Photo by Cpl. Robert Williams

Capt. William Cunningham, left, and Sgt. Chris Anderson, competitors with the Marine Corps Shooting Team, clean their SA80 A2 rifles after a day of practice matches during the Royal Marines Operational Shooting Competition, Sept. 12, 2016, The Royal Marines are competing against and building bonds with the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the U.S. Marines. Cunningham and Anderson are with Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

Photo by Cpl. Robert Williams

Second Lieutenant Trevor Weaser celebrates with family after his commissioning ceremony aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., August 7th, 2016. The mission of Officer Candidate School is to educate and train officer candidates in order to evaluate and screen individuals for qualities required for commissioning as a Marine Corps officer.

Photo by Courtesy photo

Second Lieutenant Trevor Weaser (third from the left), rows at a 2014 competition at Northeastern University in Boston, Mass. Weaser was commissioned a Marine Corps officer August 7th, 2016.

Photo by Courtesy photo