Marines from 1st Division, 23rd Marines disembark a CH-46E Sea Knight during a training evolution meant to simulate a natural disaster as part of Partnership of the Americas 2014. Representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, and the United States are participating in POA 2014 from August 11-22, 2014. This exercise is designed to enhance joint and combined interoperability, increase the combined capability to execute Amphibious Operations, Peace Support Operations, and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief missions, and further develop strong and lasting relationships the U.S. Marine Corps has established with partner nation’s naval infantries/marine corps. - Marines from 1st Division, 23rd Marines disembark a CH-46E Sea Knight during a training evolution meant to simulate a natural disaster as part of Partnership of the Americas 2014. Representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, and the United States are participating in POA 2014 from August 11-22, 2014. This exercise is designed to enhance joint and combined interoperability, increase the combined capability to execute Amphibious Operations, Peace Support Operations, and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief missions, and further develop strong and lasting relationships the U.S. Marine Corps has established with partner nation’s naval infantries/marine corps.

Marines with 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, move down a road while the street is covered by an M1A1 Abrams tank during an assault on a simulated enemy town Aug. 17, 2014, aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., during exercise Heavy Metal 14. As the assault continued, instructors and safety personnel would point out a Marine to play the role of a wounded casualty to assess the team’s casualty evacuation performance. - Marines with 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, move down a road while the street is covered by an M1A1 Abrams tank during an assault on a simulated enemy town Aug. 17, 2014, aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., during exercise Heavy Metal 14. As the assault continued, instructors and safety personnel would point out a Marine to play the role of a wounded casualty to assess the team’s casualty evacuation performance.

Former Marine Cpl. Joshua Ploetz, makes his way to shore before beaing greeted by a crowd of Marines, sailors, veterans family members July 25, 2014, as he paddles closer to the end of his 2,575-mile journey down the Mississippi River, in New Orleans, July 25, 2014. Ploetz began his journey to raise awareness for post-traumatic stress May 19, at Lake Itasca Minn. - Former Marine Cpl. Joshua Ploetz, makes his way to shore before beaing greeted by a crowd of Marines, sailors, veterans family members July 25, 2014, as he paddles closer to the end of his 2,575-mile journey down the Mississippi River, in New Orleans, July 25, 2014. Ploetz began his journey to raise awareness for post-traumatic stress May 19, at Lake Itasca Minn.

A Marine with Company F, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, fires an M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle at targets here, July 13th, 2014. The Marines were able to complete a multitude of live fire exercises and tested the capabilities of the companies within 4th LAR. This was part of 4th LAR’s annual training, which was the first time since the battalion’s deployment to Afghanistan in 2009 – 2010 that the companies within the battalion worked together. - A Marine with Company F, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, fires an M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle at targets here, July 13th, 2014. The Marines were able to complete a multitude of live fire exercises and tested the capabilities of the companies within 4th LAR. This was part of 4th LAR’s annual training, which was the first time since the battalion’s deployment to Afghanistan in 2009 – 2010 that the companies within the battalion worked together.

Brig. Gen. Paul K. Lebidine, the commanding general of Force Headquarters Group speaks with Sarah Farnsworth, the San Diego Padres Senior Vice President, Public Affairs at PETCO Park stadium here, June 5, 2014. The San Diego Padres, a muster partner, allowed FHG to hold the Marine Corps Individual Ready Reserve administrative muster and job fair at the stadium. The muster gave Marines access to job options and schools, as well as the opportunities and resources to remain a part of the Marine Corps. - Brig. Gen. Paul K. Lebidine, the commanding general of Force Headquarters Group speaks with Sarah Farnsworth, the San Diego Padres Senior Vice President, Public Affairs at PETCO Park stadium here, June 5, 2014. The San Diego Padres, a muster partner, allowed FHG to hold the Marine Corps Individual Ready Reserve administrative muster and job fair at the stadium. The muster gave Marines access to job options and schools, as well as the opportunities and resources to remain a part of the Marine Corps.

Marine Corps, Army and Navy dental technicians work together to care for a patient at the Kapaa Middle School site, June 19, during Innovative Readiness Training exercise Tropic Care 2014. Kapaa Middle School is one of three main sites that patients can be seen for medical, dental and optometry care provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to the public, providing simultaneous military training for medical personnel. TC14 also allows service members from each branch to combine their expertise in a joint-training environment. - Marine Corps, Army and Navy dental technicians work together to care for a patient at the Kapaa Middle School site, June 19, during Innovative Readiness Training exercise Tropic Care 2014. Kapaa Middle School is one of three main sites that patients can be seen for medical, dental and optometry care provided by the Department of Defense at no cost to the public, providing simultaneous military training for medical personnel. TC14 also allows service members from each branch to combine their expertise in a joint-training environment.

Marines walk out to a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter operated by the 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, New Mexico Army National Guard in a joint service exercise for preparation, situational awareness and medic familiarization during Integrated Training Exercise 4-14 aboard Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms California, June 13, 2014. ITX 4-14 is the largest annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve training exercise, which helps refine skills necessary to seamlessly integrate with active duty counterparts as well as operate as a complete MAGTF. (U.S. Marine photo by Sgt. Adwin Esters/Released) - Marines walk out to a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter operated by the 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment, New Mexico Army National Guard in a joint service exercise for preparation, situational awareness and medic familiarization during Integrated Training Exercise 4-14 aboard Marine Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms California, June 13, 2014. ITX 4-14 is the largest annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve training exercise, which helps refine skills necessary to seamlessly integrate with active duty counterparts as well as operate as a complete MAGTF. (U.S. Marine photo by Sgt. Adwin Esters/Released)

Marine Administrative Message 264/14 announced the Academic Year 2015-16 Reserve Officer Professional Military Education Board, which convenes September 22, to select attendees for full-length schools (FLS), staff-training courses and the Distance Education Program. Officers are encouraged to apply; the deadline for application is September 3, and final determination will be made by Reserve Affairs Personnel Management Branch. - Marine Administrative Message 264/14 announced the Academic Year 2015-16 Reserve Officer Professional Military Education Board, which convenes September 22, to select attendees for full-length schools (FLS), staff-training courses and the Distance Education Program. Officers are encouraged to apply; the deadline for application is September 3, and final determination will be made by Reserve Affairs Personnel Management Branch.

The Marine Corps calls upon volunteers to support the Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force activating in June 2014, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. According to MARADMIN 252/14, the GCEITF will be comprised of male and female, active and Reserve volunteers. Female Marines will be trained in a combat-arms military occupational specialty and male volunteers will continue with their primary MOS. (U. S. Marine Corps photo by CWO2 Mancuso, Paul S. Combat Camera, SOI-E/Released) - The Marine Corps calls upon volunteers to support the Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force activating in June 2014, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. According to MARADMIN 252/14, the GCEITF will be comprised of male and female, active and Reserve volunteers. Female Marines will be trained in a combat-arms military occupational specialty and male volunteers will continue with their primary MOS. (U. S. Marine Corps photo by CWO2 Mancuso, Paul S. Combat Camera, SOI-E/Released)