GULF OF ADEN (July 10, 2015) U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Jorge Melendez, left, and Sgt. Maj. Douglas Schaefer, right, congratulate the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s “Marine of the Week” awardee Lance Cpl. Miguel A. Garces aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Melendez is the sergeant major of Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 15th MEU and Schaefer is the sergeant major of the 15th MEU. Garces is from Mercedes, Texas, and is a field artillery cannoneer with India Battery, BLT 3/1. Garces provided a myriad of classes during the week that range from machine gun characteristics and employment to artillery operations. He has been instrumental in the serviceability of $2.5 million worth of gear and equipment for his section through preventative maintenance checks. Garces has proven his dedication to the progress and training of the Marines through his countless hours of instruction, guidance, and hard work. He has been filling in as the section chief in the absence of his noncommissioned officer but has the full confidence and faith of his entire chain of command and operates in the capacity of an NCO on a daily basis. The 15th MEU is embarked on the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and deployed to maintain regional security in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Miguel Carrasco/Released)