1st Sgt. Anthony J. Velarde, a first sergeant with 1st Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device during a ceremony here, March 11. He received the medal for his actions while deployed as a company gunnery sergeant with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. - 1st Sgt. Anthony J. Velarde, a first sergeant with 1st Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with combat distinguishing device during a ceremony here, March 11. He received the medal for his actions while deployed as a company gunnery sergeant with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Marines from Installation Personnel Administration Center, Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, take out the recycling bins to the trash container, March 25, 2013. A new recycling initiative is being introduced to the 1,200 Marine and civilian personnel that man the facility in order to recycle items such as paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum, tin and steel cans. - Marines from Installation Personnel Administration Center, Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, take out the recycling bins to the trash container, March 25, 2013. A new recycling initiative is being introduced to the 1,200 Marine and civilian personnel that man the facility in order to recycle items such as paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminum, tin and steel cans.

Cpl. Lincoln Weiss, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialist with Headquarters Company, 25th Marine Regiment, prepares to launch the RQ-11B unmanned aerial vehicle during a training flight here, March 9. The UAV operators participated in training flights at the Devens Reserve Forces Training Area to sustain flight procedures and techniques in preparation for training exercises African Lion in April and Heavy Metal in June. - Cpl. Lincoln Weiss, a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense specialist with Headquarters Company, 25th Marine Regiment, prepares to launch the RQ-11B unmanned aerial vehicle during a training flight here, March 9. The UAV operators participated in training flights at the Devens Reserve Forces Training Area to sustain flight procedures and techniques in preparation for training exercises African Lion in April and Heavy Metal in June.

Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, speaks to the attendees of an Individual Ready Reserve mega-muster at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, March 9. "We are here for you," he said. "We are here to make sure you have the information you need to carry out your life." The muster, attended by 935 Individual Ready Reserve Marines, one is one of 11 held annually in order to meet the Marine Corps Title X responsibilities to ensure members of the IRR are administratively capable of reintegration and that their contact information is current. - Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, speaks to the attendees of an Individual Ready Reserve mega-muster at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, March 9. "We are here for you," he said. "We are here to make sure you have the information you need to carry out your life." The muster, attended by 935 Individual Ready Reserve Marines, one is one of 11 held annually in order to meet the Marine Corps Title X responsibilities to ensure members of the IRR are administratively capable of reintegration and that their contact information is current.

Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, Shanon C. Neal, MARFORRES family readiness officer, Sarah Lauten, 4th Marine Division family readiness officer, Col. Christopher Starling, commanding officer of 23rd Marine Regiment, and Lt. Col. Kevin H. Hutchison, inspector-instructor for 2/23, accept the 2012 Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Award presented by retired Navy Vice Adm. Norb R.Ryan Jr., the president of Military Officers Association of America, at the Pentagon, March 1. - Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, Shanon C. Neal, MARFORRES family readiness officer, Sarah Lauten, 4th Marine Division family readiness officer, Col. Christopher Starling, commanding officer of 23rd Marine Regiment, and Lt. Col. Kevin H. Hutchison, inspector-instructor for 2/23, accept the 2012 Department of Defense Reserve Family Readiness Award presented by retired Navy Vice Adm. Norb R.Ryan Jr., the president of Military Officers Association of America, at the Pentagon, March 1.

Maj. Ann Bernard completes repetitions of pull-ups at the physical fitness gym here Feb. 15, 2013. Bernard, a competitive bodybuilder and the G-6 officer in charge for Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, was training as the Marine Corps transitions pull-ups into the female physical fitness test repertoire. According to ALMAR 046/12, as of January 1, 2013, female Marines have the option to perform pull-ups in place of the flexed-arm hang on their annual PFT. After January 1, 2014, female Marines will be required to perform pull-ups on the PFT. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Ito/Released) - Maj. Ann Bernard completes repetitions of pull-ups at the physical fitness gym here Feb. 15, 2013. Bernard, a competitive bodybuilder and the G-6 officer in charge for Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, was training as the Marine Corps transitions pull-ups into the female physical fitness test repertoire. According to ALMAR 046/12, as of January 1, 2013, female Marines have the option to perform pull-ups in place of the flexed-arm hang on their annual PFT. After January 1, 2014, female Marines will be required to perform pull-ups on the PFT. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Ito/Released)

Sgt. Alex Bolicke, training non-commissioned officer for Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve acts as a gunman in an active-shooter drill held at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans Feb. 7, 2013. The drill was a part of safety preparation for the support facility that included classroom time, leadership discussion and facility-wide drills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Marcin Platek/Released) - Sgt. Alex Bolicke, training non-commissioned officer for Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve acts as a gunman in an active-shooter drill held at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans Feb. 7, 2013. The drill was a part of safety preparation for the support facility that included classroom time, leadership discussion and facility-wide drills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Marcin Platek/Released)

Marines assigned to 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment launch a rocket from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System here during their Mission Rehearsal Exercise for African Lion 2013. The artillerymen and other troops with 14th Marines performed various live-fire battle drills before the unit deploys to AL-13 in Morocco this spring. This will be the first time the unit will demonstrate both HIMARS and M777 Howitzer capabilities for their Moroccan partners. African Lion is an annual multinational exercise executed under the supervision of Marine Forces Africa Command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ray Lewis/Released) - Marines assigned to 2nd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment launch a rocket from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System here during their Mission Rehearsal Exercise for African Lion 2013. The artillerymen and other troops with 14th Marines performed various live-fire battle drills before the unit deploys to AL-13 in Morocco this spring. This will be the first time the unit will demonstrate both HIMARS and M777 Howitzer capabilities for their Moroccan partners. African Lion is an annual multinational exercise executed under the supervision of Marine Forces Africa Command. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Ray Lewis/Released)

The Marines of 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group were awarded the W.P.T. Hill award for best field mess for 2013. The Hill awards aim to reward high quality food service and recognize culinary expertise. 6th ESB achieved this award by improving food service operations and encouraging excellence in the garrison and field foodservice programs, as well as contributing to improving the quality of life for Marines and Navy personnel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Esdros Ruano/Released) - The Marines of 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group were awarded the W.P.T. Hill award for best field mess for 2013. The Hill awards aim to reward high quality food service and recognize culinary expertise. 6th ESB achieved this award by improving food service operations and encouraging excellence in the garrison and field foodservice programs, as well as contributing to improving the quality of life for Marines and Navy personnel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Esdros Ruano/Released)

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, SAN DIEGO -- Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, pins a Silver Star Medal on Sgt. Miguelange G. Madrigal, a radio chief with Supporting Arms Liaison Team G, 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Jan. 31, 2013. Madrigal, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., was awarded the nation’s third highest honor for his actions as a member of a squad patrol that was pinned down by insurgent fire. On Feb. 15, 2010, he repelled an enemy attack, rushed to save a fellow Marine, called in multiple fire-support missions, and called in a casualty evacuation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Marcin Platek/Released) - MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, SAN DIEGO -- Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, pins a Silver Star Medal on Sgt. Miguelange G. Madrigal, a radio chief with Supporting Arms Liaison Team G, 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Jan. 31, 2013. Madrigal, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., was awarded the nation’s third highest honor for his actions as a member of a squad patrol that was pinned down by insurgent fire. On Feb. 15, 2010, he repelled an enemy attack, rushed to save a fellow Marine, called in multiple fire-support missions, and called in a casualty evacuation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Marcin Platek/Released)