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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.

U.S. Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare demolitions charges on a training range in Uganda while participating in a training mission with members of the Uganda People's Defense Force. The Marines have been in Uganda since July providing training assistance to the UPDF in a variety of skills including marksmanship, small unit tactics, and engineering. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force in the U.S. Central Command and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility. - U.S. Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare demolitions charges on a training range in Uganda while participating in a training mission with members of the Uganda People's Defense Force. The Marines have been in Uganda since July providing training assistance to the UPDF in a variety of skills including marksmanship, small unit tactics, and engineering. The 24th MEU is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force in the U.S. Central Command and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility.

An Afghan National Army soldier listens to a radio at Forward Operating Base Zeebrugee in Kajaki District, Afghanistan, July 8, 2012. The Afghan National Security Forces organize their efforts in an Operational Control Center-District. The OCCD has the ability to turn the separate groups of Afghanistan?s security forces into one organized fighting entity. - An Afghan National Army soldier listens to a radio at Forward Operating Base Zeebrugee in Kajaki District, Afghanistan, July 8, 2012. The Afghan National Security Forces organize their efforts in an Operational Control Center-District. The OCCD has the ability to turn the separate groups of Afghanistan?s security forces into one organized fighting entity.

Maria Lopez (middle), wife of 1st Sgt. Jerry Lopez, receives gifts from Kim Hollahan (right), the wife of Combat Logistics Regimental 27 commanding officer, and Sgt. Maj. Lanette Wright (left), the CLR-27 sergeant major, as a small token of appreciation for her support as a volunteer and spouse during a Spouse Appreciation Night at the Ball Center at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 10, 2012. The gifts included a bag of goodies, a flower and an award signed my Col. Mark R. Hollahan, the CLR-27 commanding officer. - Maria Lopez (middle), wife of 1st Sgt. Jerry Lopez, receives gifts from Kim Hollahan (right), the wife of Combat Logistics Regimental 27 commanding officer, and Sgt. Maj. Lanette Wright (left), the CLR-27 sergeant major, as a small token of appreciation for her support as a volunteer and spouse during a Spouse Appreciation Night at the Ball Center at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 10, 2012. The gifts included a bag of goodies, a flower and an award signed my Col. Mark R. Hollahan, the CLR-27 commanding officer.

Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, based out of Twentynine Palms, Calif., work on a new water purification system at the Chocolate Mountains Aerial Gunnery Range in MCAS Yuma region, Aug. 9. The lightweight purification water recycling system uses 3,000 gallon collapsible tanks that pump and filter out clean water which allows Marines to better conserve resources. - Marines with Marine Wing Support Squadron 374, based out of Twentynine Palms, Calif., work on a new water purification system at the Chocolate Mountains Aerial Gunnery Range in MCAS Yuma region, Aug. 9. The lightweight purification water recycling system uses 3,000 gallon collapsible tanks that pump and filter out clean water which allows Marines to better conserve resources.

Marines with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, depart from CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters here, Aug. 9. Inserting via helicopters with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), the Marines raided a notional town, neutralizing all enemy personnel and capturing a high-value individual. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps' Force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region. - Marines with Company G., Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, depart from CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters here, Aug. 9. Inserting via helicopters with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262 (Reinforced), the Marines raided a notional town, neutralizing all enemy personnel and capturing a high-value individual. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and is the Marine Corps' Force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region.