Lucious Bryant, an 87-year-old native of Carlsbad, Calif., sits in his chair before being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by Maj. Gen. Ronald Bailey, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, here, Sept. 14, 2012. Bryant served with the Marine Corps during the 1940s, a time period when African American recruits were trained separately from their Caucasian brothers in green. - Lucious Bryant, an 87-year-old native of Carlsbad, Calif., sits in his chair before being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by Maj. Gen. Ronald Bailey, the commanding general of 1st Marine Division, here, Sept. 14, 2012. Bryant served with the Marine Corps during the 1940s, a time period when African American recruits were trained separately from their Caucasian brothers in green.

Pfc. Christopher J. Frigon prepares to give a high-five to a child from the Tai Chu En orphanage::r::::n::during a community relations event at Camp Kinser July 16. Every year, there are many community::r::::n::relations events on Okinawa, and throughout the Asia-Pacific region during exercises, according::r::::n::to Kaori Martinez, community relations officer with G-7, government and external affairs office,::r::::n::Marine Corps Installations Pacific. Frigon is data network specialist with Combat Logistics Regiment::r::::n::35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Pfc. Christopher J. Frigon prepares to give a high-five to a child from the Tai Chu En orphanage::r::::n::during a community relations event at Camp Kinser July 16. Every year, there are many community::r::::n::relations events on Okinawa, and throughout the Asia-Pacific region during exercises, according::r::::n::to Kaori Martinez, community relations officer with G-7, government and external affairs office,::r::::n::Marine Corps Installations Pacific. Frigon is data network specialist with Combat Logistics Regiment::r::::n::35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Two Afghan children watch as a Marine convoy passes through Marjah, Sept. 2, 2012. Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, deployed to Trek Nawa, an area between the Nawa and Marjah districts, to help the local Afghan National Army soldiers disrupt insurgent operations and alleviate the pressure on the two districts. - Two Afghan children watch as a Marine convoy passes through Marjah, Sept. 2, 2012. Marines with Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, deployed to Trek Nawa, an area between the Nawa and Marjah districts, to help the local Afghan National Army soldiers disrupt insurgent operations and alleviate the pressure on the two districts.

Lance Cpl. Ethan Payne, machine gunner, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, waits to load into his vehicle before a convoy, Aug. 28, 2012. Payne is proud of what he and his platoon have achieved while deployed to Trek Nawa, a known insurgent stronghold between the Nawa and Marjah districts, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. - Lance Cpl. Ethan Payne, machine gunner, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, waits to load into his vehicle before a convoy, Aug. 28, 2012. Payne is proud of what he and his platoon have achieved while deployed to Trek Nawa, a known insurgent stronghold between the Nawa and Marjah districts, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Matthew E. Faircloth, the section leader with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with a combat distinguishing device Aug. 23 during the 2nd Marine Division change of command ceremony. Faircloth, a Hedgesville, W.Va., native, earned the award for his actions in combat on February 16, 2011. - Staff Sgt. Matthew E. Faircloth, the section leader with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with a combat distinguishing device Aug. 23 during the 2nd Marine Division change of command ceremony. Faircloth, a Hedgesville, W.Va., native, earned the award for his actions in combat on February 16, 2011.

Lance Cpl. Jacob Noremberg, pointman, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, prepares to patrol, Aug. 26, 2012. Noremberg was shot in the side Small Arms Protective Insert plate, while he was in Trek Nawa, the area between the Marjah and Nawa districts, a month ago. - Lance Cpl. Jacob Noremberg, pointman, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6, prepares to patrol, Aug. 26, 2012. Noremberg was shot in the side Small Arms Protective Insert plate, while he was in Trek Nawa, the area between the Marjah and Nawa districts, a month ago.

Cpl. Joshua Brooks, a machine gunner from Petoskey, Mich., with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M-2 .50 cal. machine gun, Aug. 12, 2012, on Udairi Range, Kuwait. The Marines are in Kuwait as part of a 24th MEU sustainment training package. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. - Cpl. Joshua Brooks, a machine gunner from Petoskey, Mich., with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M-2 .50 cal. machine gun, Aug. 12, 2012, on Udairi Range, Kuwait. The Marines are in Kuwait as part of a 24th MEU sustainment training package. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

SSgt. Christopher Henkle, supply chief with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, and his father retired Maj. Steve Henkle, race to the finish of the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point autocross at Foxtrot Taxiway, Aug. 11. Hosted by the Single Marine Program, the Cherry Point autocross is a timed circuit race meant to teach Marines and guests the importance of safety and auto control. - SSgt. Christopher Henkle, supply chief with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, and his father retired Maj. Steve Henkle, race to the finish of the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point autocross at Foxtrot Taxiway, Aug. 11. Hosted by the Single Marine Program, the Cherry Point autocross is a timed circuit race meant to teach Marines and guests the importance of safety and auto control.

Marines with Cherry Point Corporals Leadership Course Class 274-12 listening intently during a senior enlisted panel as part of Cherry Point Corporals Leadership Course, Aug. 13. During the first week of corporals course the instructors concentrate on introducing corporals to their first Professional Military Education Course. "You get a couple of classes about nutrition, physical fitness, development of the NCO mindset," said Gunnery Sgt. Valdez R. Baker Jr., staff non commissioned officer in charge for Cherry Point Corporals Leadership Course. "Different things like mentorship and leadership classes that help break them in and help them understand this is your first PME and this is what to expect." - Marines with Cherry Point Corporals Leadership Course Class 274-12 listening intently during a senior enlisted panel as part of Cherry Point Corporals Leadership Course, Aug. 13. During the first week of corporals course the instructors concentrate on introducing corporals to their first Professional Military Education Course. "You get a couple of classes about nutrition, physical fitness, development of the NCO mindset," said Gunnery Sgt. Valdez R. Baker Jr., staff non commissioned officer in charge for Cherry Point Corporals Leadership Course. "Different things like mentorship and leadership classes that help break them in and help them understand this is your first PME and this is what to expect."