"The Noncommissioned Officer and Petty Officer: Backbone of the Armed Forces" book was unveiled by Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the chairman, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, December 17 at the Pentagon. The book is focused on the military's noncommissioned officer and petty officer force and addresses commitment, selflessness, teamwork, trust, courage, loyalty, and more. - "The Noncommissioned Officer and Petty Officer: Backbone of the Armed Forces" book was unveiled by Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Bryan B. Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the chairman, Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, December 17 at the Pentagon. The book is focused on the military's noncommissioned officer and petty officer force and addresses commitment, selflessness, teamwork, trust, courage, loyalty, and more.

A service member passes out candy to a child from an orphanage in Gunsan during a community relations event, Nov. 5, 2013. Children of the orphanage were excited and tried to get service members to pass out candy before scheduled. - A service member passes out candy to a child from an orphanage in Gunsan during a community relations event, Nov. 5, 2013. Children of the orphanage were excited and tried to get service members to pass out candy before scheduled.

Capt. Ryan M. Ackland shakes hands with Staff Sgt. Gordon L. Llewellyn after presenting him with a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Dec. 5 at the Ie Shima Training Facility. Llewellyn received the award for his quick, courageous response after a car crash left a local girl injured Aug. 26. Llewellyn is the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of Ie Shima Training Facility and currently assigned to G-3, operations, Range Control, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler. - Capt. Ryan M. Ackland shakes hands with Staff Sgt. Gordon L. Llewellyn after presenting him with a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Dec. 5 at the Ie Shima Training Facility. Llewellyn received the award for his quick, courageous response after a car crash left a local girl injured Aug. 26. Llewellyn is the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of Ie Shima Training Facility and currently assigned to G-3, operations, Range Control, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler.

Navy Lt. Alexander J. Cho introduces Marines and sailors to the children at Tinian Elementary School during a community relations event Dec. 4. The service members are on Tinian for Exercise Forager Fury II. The series of exercises which Marine Aircraft Group 12 is conducting in the Mariana Islands focus on refining core skills within the squadrons and MAG. This, in turn prepares them to function as an integrated air unit able to perform a wide range of missions. The service members volunteered to spend time with the children by playing games and teaching life lessons. Cho is a Chaplain with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, MAG-12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Navy Lt. Alexander J. Cho introduces Marines and sailors to the children at Tinian Elementary School during a community relations event Dec. 4. The service members are on Tinian for Exercise Forager Fury II. The series of exercises which Marine Aircraft Group 12 is conducting in the Mariana Islands focus on refining core skills within the squadrons and MAG. This, in turn prepares them to function as an integrated air unit able to perform a wide range of missions. The service members volunteered to spend time with the children by playing games and teaching life lessons. Cho is a Chaplain with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, MAG-12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Marines serving with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment’s Security Force Assistance Advisor Team, pray before their Thanksgiving dinner here, Nov. 28. The Marines used the holiday meal as a time to share their family traditions with one another. - Marines serving with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment’s Security Force Assistance Advisor Team, pray before their Thanksgiving dinner here, Nov. 28. The Marines used the holiday meal as a time to share their family traditions with one another.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Robert Szabo, the director and officer in charge of the East Coast Marine Corps Composite Band, conducts band members during rehearsal Nov. 26, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. The composite band will perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Nov. 28. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Melissa Karnath/Released) - Chief Warrant Officer 4 Robert Szabo, the director and officer in charge of the East Coast Marine Corps Composite Band, conducts band members during rehearsal Nov. 26, at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. The composite band will perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Nov. 28. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Melissa Karnath/Released)