Sailors must serve for at least one year in a Marine Corps command to qualify for the Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer program and earn the insignia. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Marco Mancha)
Staff Sgt. Garrett Cheatum (front) shakes hands with Marines of 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, after being promoted to staff sergeant April 2. The Niceville, Fla., native is an Explosive Ordnance Disposal More
Cpl. Jarrod Knorr interacts with Afghan children at the Marjah District Center, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 3. The 22-year-old Adrian, Mich., native is a vehicle commander for the Personal Security Det More
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MARJAH, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Afghan Local Police (ALP) graduates march on stage to receive their certificates and patches during a graduation ceremony. After three weeks of tra More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Hutchinson, Minn., native Cpl. John Lamecker responds to a call over the radio during an overwatch mission April 22. The communicati More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines unwind and play a friendly game of cards while listening to music after a hard day’s work. This scene is a common nightly ri More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Lance Cpl. Brandon Chisholm pulls hard on a wrench to remove a track pad. The Abbot, Maine, native is a tank operator with 1st Tank More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, help unload water and food from a combat vehicle. The Combined Anti-Armor Teams with the More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Tulsa, Okla., native Cpl. Daniel Blesi points out the projected route for the interpreter near the base April 27. Blesi is a squad leader More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - A small child curiously peaks around the corner as Marines patrol through the local area outside the base. Marines in Company L, 3rd Battal More
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Staff Sgt. Tony Palomo of Winnfield, La., stands in front of a small memorial of fallen Marines with 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company More
PATROL BASE ALCATRAZ, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -- Buffalo, N.Y., native Cpl. Jebediah Stevens stands beside B Company’s flag. The reconnaissance Marine with B Company, 2nd Reconnaissan More
NAWA DISTRICT, Helmand province, Afghanistan – A patrolman with the Afghan Uniform Police stands guard outside a refurbished precinct. He is one of several AUP patrolmen who eat, sleep, and work alongside Marin More
FORWARD OPERATING BASE GERONIMO, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Lance Cpl. Andrew Fuller of Germantown, Md., and Cpl. Samuel Penaloza of Centerville, Va., work on a broken down generator. T More
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -- Fallsington, Penn., native Maj. Kevin Bicking completes his daily tasks on the computer. The family man always keeps his six-month-old son’ More
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Infantry Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, patrol through an Afghan farm field. These Marines must wear the ballistic underw More
PATROL BASE TALIBJAN, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 8, render a salute during a memorial ceremony for Cpl. Michael C. Nolen of Spring Va More
FORWARD OPERATING BASE EDINBURGH, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Olathe, Kan., native Lance Cpl. Daniel Korb works on a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle. The Motor Transport mechanic with 3rd Battalion More
NAWA, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Marines with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, walk through a wheat field after the top half of the wheat was cut off. Local farmers save the bottom half of the wheat and More
NAWA DISTRICT, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Pvt. Mahmad Dawod Qalamyar, a patrolman with the Afghan Uniformed Police, reads a Pashto-English dictionary aloud during an evening break. He, along with hundreds More
NAWA DISTRICT CENTER, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Spectators and guests watch as a speaker reads a citation to celebrate the grand opening of the new justice center. The Marines with Civil Affairs Team 3, More
Before the pass in review and conclusion of the ceremony, Two Marines were awarded a Silver Star Medal and Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device. Corporal Jason M. Hassinger of Philadelphia was award th More
Atlanta native Navy Lt. John Securda proudly wears his Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer insignia. The information operations planner earned his FMFQO insignia recently by successfully completing the necessa More
Washington, D.C., native Gunnery Sgt. Michael L. Woods finishes up a set of "skull crushers."
Swansboro, N.C., native Cpl. Phillip Coutts reads a voltage meter while working on a generator in need of repair. The 26-year-old is a generator mechanic with Support Platoon, Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine More
Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos plays a game with an Afghan child at the Marjah District Center, Helmand province, Afghanistan, March 3. The Las Cruces, N.M., native is the battalion sergeant major for 3rd Battal More
Cpl. Jarrod Knorr, a vehicle commander for 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, scans the distance for any sign of threats during a short foot patrol through Marjah district, April 3. The 22-year-old Adrian, Mic More
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MARJAH, Helmand province, Afghanistan - A graduate holds up his certificate and gives a speech during the Afghan Local Police (ALP) graduation ceremony. After three weeks of training wit More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – A Marine provides overwatch on the turret under the night sky April 22. The logistics train Marines with D Company, 1st Tank Battali More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Lance Cpl. Anthony Mercado removes a wrench head from the track pad after unscrewing it for replacement. The New York City native is More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/8 wait for their ride back to Camp Leatherneck recently. The Marines arrived in Afghanistan ea More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, toss a re-supply of water cases off a combat vehicle. The Combined Anti-Armor Teams with More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Corporal Daniel Blesi (right) goes over the projected route for the foot patrol with his staff sergeant outside the base April 27. The Tul More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - A child bashfully gazes into the camera as Marines patrol the area outside the base. The Marines with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine More
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Winnfield, La., native Staff Sgt. Tony Palomo reveals the wounds he sustained while investigating a report on an improvised explosive device More
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -- Fallsington, Penn., native Maj. Kevin Bicking always keeps his six-month-old son’s photo on his wall to keep him company throughout the wor More
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – A Marine with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), sweeps the ground for improvised explosive devices. The unit was More
FORWARD OPERATING BASE GERONIMO, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Lance Cpl. Andrew Fuller, a generator mechanic and Germantown, Md., native uses a voltage meter to check a generator. The 26 More
PATROL BASE TALIBJAN, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Lance Cpl. Travis Moldovan of North Canton, Ohio, shares his memories of a fallen brother-in-arms during a memorial ceremony. The ceremony was held to hono More
NAWA DISTRICT, Helmand province, Afghanistan – A Marine with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, patrols alongside an Afghan Uniform Policeman during a security patrol. Most police precincts and patrol bases in More
NAWA DISTRICT, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Pvt. Mahmad Dawod Qalamyar, a patrolman with the Afghan Uniformed Police, reads a Pashto-English dictionary aloud during an evening break.
NAWA DISTRICT CENTER, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Coordinating Director of Rule of Law and Law Enforcement United States Ambassador Hans G. Klemm cuts the ribbon during a grand opening of the new justice ce More
Washington, D.C., native Gunnery Sgt. Michael L. Woods spots one of his many workout buddies and fellow Marines. The information security technician with the Communication and Information Systems section, 2nd More
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MARJAH, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Afghan Local Police (ALP) graduates march on stage to receive their certificates during a graduation ceremony. After three weeks of training with More
Lance Cpl. Joseph Foreman reaches inside the front of a tow truck for a loose part, at Forward Operating Base Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 5. The 19-year-old Downers Grove, Ill., native is a Mot More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – A tank rolls into position at the outpost late at night after a recent overwatch mission. The tanks with 1st Tank Battalion weigh ab More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines pose for a quick photograph of the dinner a local farmer gave to them as a gift nearby April 22. The farmer gave the logist More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - A small, two-inch hole on a side panel door of an M-1A1 “Abrams” Main Battle Tank reveals Gonzales, Texas, native Lance Cpl. Kevin K More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – San Diego native Lance Cpl. Ricardo Gonzalez greets an Afghan child during a foot patrol outside an observation post. The 23-year-old is a More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Tulsa, Okla., native Cpl. Daniel Blesi pauses to radio in coordinates outside the base April 27. Blesi is a squad leader with Company L, 3 More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Marines and Afghan National Army soldiers patrol through farmlands outside the base recently. Behind the small poppy field in the front of More
FORWARD OPERATING BASE GERONIMO, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Lance Cpl. Andrew Fuller (left) of Germantown, Md., and Cpl. Samuel Penaloza of Centerville, Va., work on a broken- down gene More
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan -- Fallsington, Penn., native Maj. Kevin Bicking surrounds himself with the best of company, his family. Bicking works as the staff secretary More
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – A Marine models a pair of tier 1 ballistic underwear. Made of lightweight silk, the black pair of underwear that resembles bicycle shorts is More
PATROL BASE TALIBJAN, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Lance Cpl. Travis Moldovan (left) of North Canton, Ohio, clinches identification tags he wears in honor of a fallen Marine during a recent memorial ceremony More
FORWARD OPERATING BASE EDINBURGH, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Corporal Dakota Adkins of Columbus, Ohio, grinds down a screw with his power sander. The tool room noncommissioned officer with 3rd Battalion, 2 More
NAWA, Helmand province, Afghanistan - A truck carrying thousands of pounds of processed wheat rolls past Marines and Afghan Uniformed Police on patrol. The wheat will be sold in the local markets and bazaars ar More
NAWA DISTRICT, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Staff Sgt. Robert Powell, a Philadelphia, N.Y., native hands over evidence to a local police officer during the transfer of a detainee. The Police Advisory Team st More
NAWA DISTRICT, Helmand province, Afghanistan – A civilian police mentor attached to 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, conducts a map reading class at Patrol Base Kockney Prong. Precincts all over Nawa are wor More
NAWA DISTRICT CENTER, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Nawa District Governor Haji Abdul Manaf holds the end of the ribbon for his senior judge to cut during a celebration honoring the grand opening of the justi More
NAWA, Helmand province, Afghanistan - A local resident of Nawa prepares to throw a piece of flattened dough into a hand-made oven. Bread makers work more than 10 hours a day to fulfill the needs of the patrolme More
Sauquoit, N.Y., native Cpl. Jeremiah Henck cleans the mud from a mine roller's headlights on a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle. The 25-year-old is currently deployed as a vehicle commander with 3rd Batt More
Marines with the Personal Security Detachment patrol outside a combat outpost and interact with Afghan children during a movement through Marjah district, April 3. The PSD for 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment More
Lance Cpl. Matthew Frank runs diagnostic checks on the air conditioning system of a damaged tow truck at Forward Operating Base Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 5. The 20-year-old Massillon, Ohio na More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – The logistics train Marines with D Company, 1st Tank Battalion, feast on a home-made dinner provided by a local Afghan citizen nearb More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Two tanks sit beside each other after a full day of riding through Helmand province recently. The tankers with 1st Tank Battalion ha More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Lance Cpl. Brandon Chisholm tightens up a new track pad on an M-1A1 “Abrams” Main Battle Tank’s track. The Abbot, Maine, native is a More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – A pair of sunglasses reflects a Marine in the gunner’s position providing security. He is a gunner for a Combined Anti-Armor Team with 3rd More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - A Marine with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, greets local children working in the farmlands near the base. The high-five exchanged is More
FORWARD OPERATING BASE GERONIMO, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Cpl. Samuel Penaloza of Centerville, Va., checks the air filter on a generator. The basic electrician currently assigned to 1 More
PATROL BASE TALIBJAN, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 8, pay their respects during a memorial for Cpl. Michael C. Nolen. The Spring Valley More
FORWARD OPERATING BASE EDINBURGH, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Sergeant Jason Littleton (far left) of Reidsville, Ga., stands with his Motor Transport mechanic Marines. He is the Maintenance Section chief f More
NAWA DISTRICT, Helmand province, Afghanistan – A Marine with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, and an Afghan Uniform policeman give candy and pencils to local children during a security patrol. Nawa is home t More
NAWA DISTRICT CENTER, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Afghan local officials and several other guests sit for lunch during a celebration marking the grand opening of the justice center in Nawa. The new center c More
FORWARD OPERATING BASE EDINBURGH, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Stewartstown, Penn., native Cpl. Jaramie Black looks for a replacement bolt. The Motor Transport mechanic with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regimen More
Mansfield, Ohio, native Cpl. Tevin Johnson conducts preventative maintenance checks and services before going out on a mission. The motor transportation operator with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Mar More
Lance Cpl. Vanthan Kim takes a small break with his improvised explosive device-detecting dog, Maggie, at Forward Operating Base Marjah, Helmand province, Afghanistan, April 5. The 23-year-old Erie, Pa., native More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – A Marine with 1st Tank Battalion sleeps next to his tank after a hard day’s work. The night breeze keeps the Marines cool when they More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – The view from a combat vehicle’s turret during an overwatch mission allows the gunner a good vantage point during security watches n More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - The rough terrain of Afghanistan takes a toll on tank pads (top) and must be replaced (bottom). The Company D tankers with 1st Tank More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – An infantryman with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, jumps over a small stream of water recently. The Combined Anti-Armor Teams with th More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - A small girl gazes at the Marines with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, during a recent patrol. The father holding the child greeted eve More
NAWA DISTRICT, Helmand province, Afghanistan – Marines and patrolmen cross a dried riverbed during a security patrol. The Marines with 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, continue to mentor the Afghan Uniform P More
NAWA, Helmand province, Afghanistan - A local bread maker prepares to throw a slab of dough into a hand-made oven. Both the oven and the bread dough were products wheat helped provide.
NAWA DISTRICT CENTER, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Coordinating Director of Rule of Law and Law Enforcement United States Ambassador Hans G. Klemm (right) enjoys a food platter during a lunch party. The lunc More
NAWA, Helmand province, Afghanistan - A young bread maker prepares a piece of flat bread dough before it goes into a hand-made oven. Bread makers depend on the wheat grown by local farmers throughout the Nawa D More
Mercer, Pa., native Cpl. Eric Persch checks the wiring on one of the many internet servers for 2nd Marine Division (Forward). The data network technician with the Communication and Information Security section, More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – A Marine with 1st Tank Battalion takes in the scenery atop a tank. COP Ouellette sits on a hill that allows the Marines on guard dut More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – The logistics train Marines with D Company, 1st Tank Battalion, provide security atop a hill nearby April 22. The battalion with 2nd More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – An infantryman with 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, helps escort a combat vehicle full of supplies for an observation post. The Combin More
PATROL BASE SHARK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - A local boy smiles as Afghan National Army soldiers and Marines take a break during a partnered patrol outside their base recently. The vi More
PATROL BASE TALIBJAN, Helmand province, Afghanistan - A Marine with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 8, pays his respects to a fallen Marine during a memorial ceremony honoring Spring More
NAWA DISTRICT, Helmand province, Afghanistan – A patrolman with the Afghan Uniform Police gives candy to local children during a security patrol. Nawa District Chief of Police 2nd Lt. Haji Ahmad Shah said he be More
NAWA DISTRICT CENTER, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Marines joined local Afghan residents of Nawa to celebrate the grand opening of the new justice center. The center cost around $200,000 to build and is the More
NAWA, Helmand province, Afghanistan - A local bread maker prepares stacks of bread for shipment to the several Afghan Uniformed Police precincts they serve. Hundreds of flat breads are made daily from the proce More
COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – A young Afghan boy takes his bull for a stroll nearby April 22. This was the sight for miles around as Marines with the logistics tr More