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MARFORRES Website Banner - Feb 2025 - MARFORRES Website Banner - Feb 2025

Press Release: Marine Reserve Battalion Prepares for Deployment to Okinawa, Japan

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIF. -- The Marines and Sailors of 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, are deploying from California to Japan this week in support of the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program (UDP).The Marine Reserve infantry battalion headquartered in Pasadena, California, with units nationwide, are temporarily pausing

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Paying It Forward: Marine Receives Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal - Sgt. Dakota Linker, administrative chief, Inspector-Instructor (I&I), Communications Company, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in Indianapolis, Indiana on Feb. 20, 2025. Linker received the award for his efforts in recruiting four Marines from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) into the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR). To date, he has successfully brought eight Marines back into service, with one following his lead by joining the Active Reserve (AR) program. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Major Lara Soto)

Paying It Forward: Marine Receives Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Sgt. Dakota Linker, administrative chief, Inspector-Instructor (I&I), Communications Company, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal on Feb. 20, 2025, for his efforts in recruiting four Marines from the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) into the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR). To date,

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Musician of the Year Sgt. Poland - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Poland, drum major and flutist, poses for a portrait after earning the title, Marine Musician of the Year, Marine Corps Support Facility, New Orleans, Feb. 21, 2025. Poland earned the title for her excellence in her occupation as a flutist, acquiring additional billets–such as drum major–and providing junior Marines with opportunities by leading Marine Corps Martial Arts Program classes. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Van Hoang)

A flawless performance: Marine Forces Reserve musician becomes the 2024 Marine Musician of the Year

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Morgan Poland, a flutist with Marine Forces Reserve Band, was recognized as the 2024 Marine Corps Musician of the Year at Marine Corps Support Facility, New Orleans, Louisiana. Poland’s interest in music started at Summerville High School where she played the flute as a class elective. Taking lessons in school and from mentors, she excelled in her school’s concert band and marching band. Her talent was noticed by a Marine recruiter who offered her the opportunity to play for the United States Marine Corps. Poland accepted the challenge.

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U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jose E. Lopez, logistics specialist poses for a photo during a C-5 Super Galaxy aircraft static load exercise at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Belle Chasse, Louisiana, Feb. 6, 2025. Lopez with Marine Forces Reserves G-4, trained alongside Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773 and U.S. Airmen, 26th Aerial Port Squadron, 68th Airlift Squadron to mentor and develop the next generation of logisticians, while fostering cross service knowledge and collaboration between Air Force and Marine Corps teams. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emely Gonzalez) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jose E. Lopez, logistics specialist poses for a photo during a C-5 Super Galaxy aircraft static load exercise at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Belle Chasse, Louisiana, Feb. 6, 2025. Lopez with Marine Forces Reserves G-4, trained alongside Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773 and U.S. Airmen, 26th Aerial Port Squadron, 68th Airlift Squadron to mentor and develop the next generation of logisticians, while fostering cross service knowledge and collaboration between Air Force and Marine Corps teams. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emely Gonzalez)

Uniting Forces: Marines and Airmen Collaborate in C-5 Super Galaxy Training Exercise

Marines and Airmen participated in a C-5 Super Galaxy aircraft static-load exercise here, Feb. 6, 2025.U.S. Marines with G-4 Strategic Mobility Section and Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 773, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Forces Reserve, onload and offload UH-1Y Venom helicopter and an AH-1Z Viper helicopter alongside U.S. Air

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A Marine CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 out of Joint Base Maguire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, air-lifts a decommissioned Army Stryker vehicle to Fort Indiantown Gap’s impact area Jan. 22, 2025. A team of Air Force sling-load specialists from the 621st Contingency Response Group sling-loaded the Stryker to the helicopter. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Brad Rhen) - A Marine CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 772 out of Joint Base Maguire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, air-lifts a decommissioned Army Stryker vehicle to Fort Indiantown Gap’s impact area Jan. 22, 2025. A team of Air Force sling-load specialists from the 621st Contingency Response Group sling-loaded the Stryker to the helicopter. (Pennsylvania National Guard photo by Brad Rhen)

Marines, Air Force move Stryker vehicles to Fort Indiantown Gap impact area

A Marine CH-53 Super Stallion helicopter and a team of Air Force sling-load specialists air lifted eight decommissioned Army Stryker vehicles to Fort Indiantown Gap's impact area Jan. 22.

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A corpsman’s heroic actions save the life of a Marine before an upcoming deployment - U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman Petty Officer 1st Class Billy Bui, a senior line corpsman with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, poses for a photo during an Adversarial Force Exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Dec. 9, 2024. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment participated in AFX, the primary readiness generating event, prior to their deployment as an opportunity to receive training across all warfighting functions in a realistic and fully resourced environment. This deployment is significant for the Reserve battalion and Reserve force contributing units to support exercises and operations outside of the continental U.S.

A corpsman’s heroic actions save the life of a Marine before an upcoming deployment

A young Billy Bui sat cross-legged on the floor with his head resting in the palm of his hand. He peered up at the weathered face of his grandfather as he listened in earnest to his grandfather’s story. There was a subtle breeze blowing through the nearby open window. It was the early 2000’s and Bui lived in the city of Rancho Cucamonga, California, but through his grandfather’s words he was being transported to another place and time: the Vietnam War in April 1975.

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Marine Corps Reserve Brief Highlights Opportunities for Aviators Through Direct Affiliation Program - Marine Corps Reserve Brief Highlights Opportunities for Aviators Through Direct Affiliation Program

Marine Corps Reserve Brief Highlights Opportunities for Aviators Through Direct Affiliation Program

Maj. Gen. James Wellons, commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Maj. Gen. John Kelliher III, commanding general of 4th MAW, spoke to officers about the Marine Corps Reserve during a brief on the Direct Affiliation Program at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Jan. 10, 2025. DAP allows Marines to transition directly to the reserve after leaving active duty, offering benefits such as a guaranteed Select Marine Corps Reserve or Individual Mobilization Augmentee billet of choice and maintaining eligibility to transfer education benefits.

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U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 23d Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, stage their gear for the last day of their activation period for the unit deployment program at Camp Williams, Utah, Nov. 3, 2024. The activation marks the beginning of an intensive period of training for 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines as they provide a total force solution in support of the UDP by aligning Marine Forces Reserve’s commitment to Marine Corps strategic objectives. This marks the first time since 2020 that an entire Reserve infantry battalion has activated to support the Unit Deployment Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron TorresLemus) - U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 23d Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, stage their gear for the last day of their activation period for the unit deployment program at Camp Williams, Utah, Nov. 3, 2024. The activation marks the beginning of an intensive period of training for 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines as they provide a total force solution in support of the UDP by aligning Marine Forces Reserve’s commitment to Marine Corps strategic objectives. This marks the first time since 2020 that an entire Reserve infantry battalion has activated to support the Unit Deployment Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron TorresLemus)

PRESS RELEASE: Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment Leaves for Six-Month Deployment

A Marine Reserve unit headquartered here activated Nov. 1, 2024, mobilizing for a scheduled 2025 deployment to Japan in support of the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployment Program.Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, is part of the first entire Reserve infantry battalion to support a UDP since 1st Battalion, 25th Marine

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Service Members Deliver Toys in Kotzebue - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Michael McDonald, dressed as Santa Claus, high-fives a student at June Nelson Elementary School while handing out toys in Kotzebue, Alaska, Dec. 5, 2024. McDonald, inspector-instructor for Detachment Delta Company, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, along with members of the Air Force and Navy, passed out toys to local school children during this year’s Toys for Tots operation. The Toys for Tots mission exemplifies the Marine Corps spirit in the Last Frontier, strengthening community ties while sharpening the Marines' readiness for Arctic operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ethan M. LeBlanc)

Marines and Airmen Deliver Holiday Cheer to Alaska’s Arctic Communities

U.S. Marines and Airmen conducted the first ever joint Toys for Tots operation, Dec 4 – 18, 2024 in isolated Alaskan communities. The Marines from a detachment of Company D, 4th Law Enforcement Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, were assisted by Airmen from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

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Reserve Administration Noncommissioned Officer of the Year - Cover Photo - Reserve Administration Noncommissioned Officer of the Year - Cover Photo

Sergeant Erick Volquezrodriguez: Reserve Administration Noncommissioned Officer of the Year

Erick Volquezrodriguez, a United States Marine Corps Reserve Sergeant assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III MEF, was recently recognized as the Reserve Administration Noncommissioned Officer of the Year. He was awarded after designing official guidance that helps Marines navigate the path to U.S. citizenship through

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