New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel addresses Pentagon employees and service members during an all-hands call during his first day at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. Hagel earlier took the oath of office to serve as the 24th defense secretary. - New Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel addresses Pentagon employees and service members during an all-hands call during his first day at the Pentagon, Feb. 27, 2013. Hagel earlier took the oath of office to serve as the 24th defense secretary.

Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall Commanding Officer Col. Ira M. Cheatham, H&S Bn. HQMC Henderson Hall Battalion Sgt. Maj. Craig D. Cressman and founder of the Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation James P. Donovan approach Marine Corps War Memorial to lay a wreath in recognition of the 68th anniversary of the Battle for Iwo Jima Feb. 22. The Marine Corps War Memorial depicts a photograph taken during the battle by Joe Rosenthal of Marines and a Navy corpsman raising the American flag Feb. 23, 1945. The memorial honors all Marines who have given their lives in service to their country. - Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall Commanding Officer Col. Ira M. Cheatham, H&S Bn. HQMC Henderson Hall Battalion Sgt. Maj. Craig D. Cressman and founder of the Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation James P. Donovan approach Marine Corps War Memorial to lay a wreath in recognition of the 68th anniversary of the Battle for Iwo Jima Feb. 22. The Marine Corps War Memorial depicts a photograph taken during the battle by Joe Rosenthal of Marines and a Navy corpsman raising the American flag Feb. 23, 1945. The memorial honors all Marines who have given their lives in service to their country.

Cpl. Anthony Arriaga who is stationed at the Wounded Warrior Battalion West, speaks to his fellow wounded, ill and injured Marines during his meritorious promotion ceremony. Arriaga made history as the first recovering Marine to be meritoriously promoted to the rank of sergeant. Prior to a recent change in policy, recovering Marines were not separately eligible for meritorious promotion consideration. - Cpl. Anthony Arriaga who is stationed at the Wounded Warrior Battalion West, speaks to his fellow wounded, ill and injured Marines during his meritorious promotion ceremony. Arriaga made history as the first recovering Marine to be meritoriously promoted to the rank of sergeant. Prior to a recent change in policy, recovering Marines were not separately eligible for meritorious promotion consideration.

Projecting a temperament and work ethic unmatched by his peers, Sgt. Le’Mon Eluett goes to great lengths to find the best to become the next generation of Marines. Eluett, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., recently earned the title of Recruiting Station Fort Lauderdale’s recruiter of the year for fiscal year 2012. His success has propelled him to the billet of station commander as a sergeant. - Projecting a temperament and work ethic unmatched by his peers, Sgt. Le’Mon Eluett goes to great lengths to find the best to become the next generation of Marines. Eluett, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., recently earned the title of Recruiting Station Fort Lauderdale’s recruiter of the year for fiscal year 2012. His success has propelled him to the billet of station commander as a sergeant.

President Barack Obama, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, and Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta stand for the national anthem during the armed forces farewell tribute in honor of Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta , Feb. 8, 2013. Panetta is stepping down as the 23rd Secretary of Defense. - President Barack Obama, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, and Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta stand for the national anthem during the armed forces farewell tribute in honor of Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta , Feb. 8, 2013. Panetta is stepping down as the 23rd Secretary of Defense.

Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and US Central Command Commander Gen. James Mattis, leave the change-of-command ceremony at the NATO-led ISAF headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 10, 2013. - Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and US Central Command Commander Gen. James Mattis, leave the change-of-command ceremony at the NATO-led ISAF headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 10, 2013.

Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command, hands the U.S. Forces Afghanistan colors to Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. during the change-of-command ceremony for the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 10, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, center, outgoing commander, has been nominated to be the next supreme allied commander for Europe. - Gen. James N. Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command, hands the U.S. Forces Afghanistan colors to Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. during the change-of-command ceremony for the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan, Feb. 10, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John R. Allen, center, outgoing commander, has been nominated to be the next supreme allied commander for Europe.