Judy Heaps, a native of Orem, Utah, runs toward buses along with her two sons Benjamin, 6, and Luke, 5, at the sight of her husband, Master Gunnery Sgt. Cody Heaps, an intelligence chief with 1st Marine Division (Forward), during a homecoming event here, Aug. 22. The Division was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and headed Task Force Leatherneck, the ground combat element of Regional Command Southwest. - Judy Heaps, a native of Orem, Utah, runs toward buses along with her two sons Benjamin, 6, and Luke, 5, at the sight of her husband, Master Gunnery Sgt. Cody Heaps, an intelligence chief with 1st Marine Division (Forward), during a homecoming event here, Aug. 22. The Division was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and headed Task Force Leatherneck, the ground combat element of Regional Command Southwest.

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."

Assault Amphibious Vehicles carry Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, to their objective during an amphibious training raid in Djibouti, Aug. 15, 2012. Alpha Company came ashore from the USS New York, which loitered off the coast of Djibouti in support of 24th MEU amphibious operations. Elements of the 24th MEU are operating in and around Djibouti, taking part in and coordinating various unilateral exercises and bilateral events with foreign militaries. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force in support of U.S. Central Command and the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility. - Assault Amphibious Vehicles carry Marines with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, to their objective during an amphibious training raid in Djibouti, Aug. 15, 2012. Alpha Company came ashore from the USS New York, which loitered off the coast of Djibouti in support of 24th MEU amphibious operations. Elements of the 24th MEU are operating in and around Djibouti, taking part in and coordinating various unilateral exercises and bilateral events with foreign militaries. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force in support of U.S. Central Command and the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Lance Cpl. Barry C. Clem, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 crew chief watches outside the UH-1Y Huey he is flying in to ensure that it is clear of any obstacles while the Marines on board practice tactical flying and confined area landings to gain proficiency with the latest model of the Huey, Aug. 9. - Lance Cpl. Barry C. Clem, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 crew chief watches outside the UH-1Y Huey he is flying in to ensure that it is clear of any obstacles while the Marines on board practice tactical flying and confined area landings to gain proficiency with the latest model of the Huey, Aug. 9.

Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Republic of Korea Marines fire at simulated targets during the multilateral amphibious assault here Feb. 10. The Marines were conducting a multilateral amphibious assault with Royal Thai Marines and Republic of Korea Marines during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. CG 2012 demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Republic of Korea Marines fire at simulated targets during the multilateral amphibious assault here Feb. 10. The Marines were conducting a multilateral amphibious assault with Royal Thai Marines and Republic of Korea Marines during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. CG 2012 demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. and participating nations to increase interoperability and promote security and peace throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Private First Class Timothy Workman, mortarman, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, stands with his M16 assault rifle outside his tent at Patrol Base Paser Lay, Aug. 19, 2012. Workman enlisted in the Marine Corps a year ago. His friend?s brother Kyle died six months before Workman joined. Workman said he used the death as additional motivation to continue the work Kyle gave his life for. - Private First Class Timothy Workman, mortarman, Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, stands with his M16 assault rifle outside his tent at Patrol Base Paser Lay, Aug. 19, 2012. Workman enlisted in the Marine Corps a year ago. His friend?s brother Kyle died six months before Workman joined. Workman said he used the death as additional motivation to continue the work Kyle gave his life for.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Tory Martin (left), a rifleman with 3rd Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and 20-year-old native of Twentynine Palms, Calif., shines a Glare Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) laser in the eyes of a rock-slinging role-player (right) during non-lethal weapons training in a simulated urban village on Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Aug. 15, 2012. The training was part of a two-week test readiness review fielded by the Quantico, Va.-based Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate and the Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Experimentation Center. The DoD Non-Lethal Weapons Program, headed by Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos, trains operating forces on escalation of force options to minimize casualties and collateral damage, said Kelley Hughes, a directorate spokesperson. - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Tory Martin (left), a rifleman with 3rd Platoon, India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and 20-year-old native of Twentynine Palms, Calif., shines a Glare Military Operations in Urban Terrain (MOUT) laser in the eyes of a rock-slinging role-player (right) during non-lethal weapons training in a simulated urban village on Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, Aug. 15, 2012. The training was part of a two-week test readiness review fielded by the Quantico, Va.-based Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate and the Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Experimentation Center. The DoD Non-Lethal Weapons Program, headed by Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos, trains operating forces on escalation of force options to minimize casualties and collateral damage, said Kelley Hughes, a directorate spokesperson.

Corporal Kevin Quigley, tank crewman, Bravo Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, stands on top of an M1A1 Abrams tank, July 17, 2012. Quigley, from Emerson, N.J., said ?There?s nothing else like an M1A1 on the battlefield,? referring to a tank?s firepower and maneuverability over rough terrain. Quigley, and other Bravo Co. tankers said they are excited to be in Afghanistan, providing infantry Marines with support when they need it. - Corporal Kevin Quigley, tank crewman, Bravo Company, 2nd Tank Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, stands on top of an M1A1 Abrams tank, July 17, 2012. Quigley, from Emerson, N.J., said ?There?s nothing else like an M1A1 on the battlefield,? referring to a tank?s firepower and maneuverability over rough terrain. Quigley, and other Bravo Co. tankers said they are excited to be in Afghanistan, providing infantry Marines with support when they need it.

Marines from Battery B, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lift weights inside one of three fitness rooms aboard the USS Rushmore, Aug. 18. Marines from the MEU exercise regularly during the unit?s final training evolution, Certification Exercise. CERTEX differs from previous exercises because Marines and Sailors react to unknown scenarios using the Marine Corps? Rapid Response Planning Process. - Marines from Battery B, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lift weights inside one of three fitness rooms aboard the USS Rushmore, Aug. 18. Marines from the MEU exercise regularly during the unit?s final training evolution, Certification Exercise. CERTEX differs from previous exercises because Marines and Sailors react to unknown scenarios using the Marine Corps? Rapid Response Planning Process.

Three teams participating in a dragon boat race on the Neuse River, line up at the starting line Saturday, in Oriental, N.C. Immediately following the first race, the second trio of boats was in the water heading to the starting line. - Three teams participating in a dragon boat race on the Neuse River, line up at the starting line Saturday, in Oriental, N.C. Immediately following the first race, the second trio of boats was in the water heading to the starting line.