U.S. Marine is not a title that can be earned or kept effortlessly. Marines are expected to continuously preform above and beyond the call of duty as exemplified by the high proficiencies of Lance Cpl. Anthony Doten, an infantry marine with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. Doten’s critical thinking, decisiveness, and quick reactions make him a suitable candidate for a billet that is usually filled by a sergeant of marines, two ranks above his own position. His command entrusts him with the heavy responsibility of independent small unit leadership, and the marines under Doten trust him with their lives. Together they train to maintain and increase unit lethality during exercise Steel Knight 2019 (SK19) at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Dec. 06, 2018. SK19 is an annual training exercise and assesses the 1st Marine Division’s ability to conduct ground combat operations against a peer or near-peer adversary. The exercise challenges the division’s commanders, staff, and units in a dynamic scenario against a reactive and opposing force to refine the units’ command and control, interoperability, and fundamental warfighting skills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Cpl. Rhita Daniel)

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