The Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. pins the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal onto Staff Sgt. Wyanika M. Christophe, the Reserve Career Planner of the year, from 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, during the Commandant of the Marine Corps 2014 Combined Awards Ceremony in Quantico, Va., Jan. 29, 2015. The ceremony recognized superior recruiters, drill instructors, combat Instructors, Marine security guards, career planners and Semper Fit male and female athletes of the year. Career planners play a critical role in retaining high quality Marines, an issue that the Commandant highlighted in his recently released planning guidance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Gabrielle Quire/Released) - The Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. pins the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medal onto Staff Sgt. Wyanika M. Christophe, the Reserve Career Planner of the year, from 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, during the Commandant of the Marine Corps 2014 Combined Awards Ceremony in Quantico, Va., Jan. 29, 2015. The ceremony recognized superior recruiters, drill instructors, combat Instructors, Marine security guards, career planners and Semper Fit male and female athletes of the year. Career planners play a critical role in retaining high quality Marines, an issue that the Commandant highlighted in his recently released planning guidance. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Gabrielle Quire/Released)

A F/A-18 Hornet Marine aircraft lands on a Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field during Integrated Training Exercise 4-14 aboard Camp Wilson, Twentynine Palms, California, June 7, 2014. ITX 4-14, a cornerstone of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Program, is the largest annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve training exercise that helps sharpen skills for Reserve units. - A F/A-18 Hornet Marine aircraft lands on a Strategic Expeditionary Landing Field during Integrated Training Exercise 4-14 aboard Camp Wilson, Twentynine Palms, California, June 7, 2014. ITX 4-14, a cornerstone of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Program, is the largest annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve training exercise that helps sharpen skills for Reserve units.

An aircrew member prepares to board a KC-10 Extender from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. - An aircrew member prepares to board a KC-10 Extender from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

Lt. Col. Thomas Ready (left), commanding officer of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112, Maj. Kevin Szepe (center), operations officer of VMFA-112 , and Col. Tray Ardese (right), commanding officer, Marine Aircraft Group 41, were presented with the Secretary of the Navy’s Safety Excellence Award for Marine Corps Reserve Aviation Safety Oct. 20, 2014, at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. VMFA-112’s focus on mission safety resulted in zero mishaps during fiscal year 2013. - Lt. Col. Thomas Ready (left), commanding officer of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 112, Maj. Kevin Szepe (center), operations officer of VMFA-112 , and Col. Tray Ardese (right), commanding officer, Marine Aircraft Group 41, were presented with the Secretary of the Navy’s Safety Excellence Award for Marine Corps Reserve Aviation Safety Oct. 20, 2014, at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. VMFA-112’s focus on mission safety resulted in zero mishaps during fiscal year 2013.

Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 451, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, 4th Marine Logistics Group, train during an exercise that simulates a supply drop off/pick up during Integrated Training Exercise 4-14 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, June 14, 2014. The purpose of the exercise is familiarizing the Marines with supply drops and pick-ups in areas where it might be too dangerous or the terrain is not suited for the helicopter to land. 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 Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine photo by Sgt. Adwin Esters/Released) - Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 451, Combat Logistics Regiment 45, 4th Marine Logistics Group, train during an exercise that simulates a supply drop off/pick up during Integrated Training Exercise 4-14 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, June 14, 2014. The purpose of the exercise is familiarizing the Marines with supply drops and pick-ups in areas where it might be too dangerous or the terrain is not suited for the helicopter to land. 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 Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine photo by Sgt. Adwin Esters/Released)

John Zimmer, a security specialist at Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, tries to fight off his opponent’s take down at the Caged Warrior Championship V on Oct. 4, 2014, in Patterson, La. This was Zimmer’s first time competing in a mixed martial arts fight. Although he lost, Zimmer looks forward to future challenges as a martial artist. - John Zimmer, a security specialist at Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, tries to fight off his opponent’s take down at the Caged Warrior Championship V on Oct. 4, 2014, in Patterson, La. This was Zimmer’s first time competing in a mixed martial arts fight. Although he lost, Zimmer looks forward to future challenges as a martial artist.

The Marines and spouses of 4th Marine Logistics Group gather together for a brief on the Family Readiness Program while attending the Commander’s Conference at the Marine Corps Support Facility, New Orleans, Sep. 6, 2014. The Marines and their spouses all attended various briefs including information on the commander’s intent, how 4th MLG is continuing to be ready, relevant and responsive, and how families can maintain their readiness. - The Marines and spouses of 4th Marine Logistics Group gather together for a brief on the Family Readiness Program while attending the Commander’s Conference at the Marine Corps Support Facility, New Orleans, Sep. 6, 2014. The Marines and their spouses all attended various briefs including information on the commander’s intent, how 4th MLG is continuing to be ready, relevant and responsive, and how families can maintain their readiness.

2nd Lt. Ryan Schab, platoon commander with Company D, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, mans the turret of an AAV after conducting ship-to-shore operations with Reserve Marines of 4th AAV Bn. at Blount Island, Jacksonville, Fla., Aug. 13, 2014. The training focused on amphibious training and the ability to splash off ship and drive to shore. The Reserve Marines also focused on interoperability with the Navy, using their Maritime Prepositioning Ship to launch the AAVs. - 2nd Lt. Ryan Schab, platoon commander with Company D, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion, 4th Marine Division, mans the turret of an AAV after conducting ship-to-shore operations with Reserve Marines of 4th AAV Bn. at Blount Island, Jacksonville, Fla., Aug. 13, 2014. The training focused on amphibious training and the ability to splash off ship and drive to shore. The Reserve Marines also focused on interoperability with the Navy, using their Maritime Prepositioning Ship to launch the AAVs.