Staff Sgt. Tarath Thlang, the communications chief for Headquarters Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, helps a child into the turret of a military humvee at the Armed Forces Adventure Area in Fort Worth, Texas, Dec. 30, 2013. The AFAA was the official fan zone for spectators of the 2013 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl to interact with service members and their gear before, during and after the game. - Staff Sgt. Tarath Thlang, the communications chief for Headquarters Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, helps a child into the turret of a military humvee at the Armed Forces Adventure Area in Fort Worth, Texas, Dec. 30, 2013. The AFAA was the official fan zone for spectators of the 2013 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl to interact with service members and their gear before, during and after the game.

NEW ORLEANS – Master Sgt. Linwood Stevens from the MARFORRES Communications and Electronics Maintenenance section, readies dessert trays at the New Orleans Mission, Oct. 10. The NOM serves more than 200 guests at each meal throughout the day, which is served by volunteers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tiffany Edwards) - NEW ORLEANS – Master Sgt. Linwood Stevens from the MARFORRES Communications and Electronics Maintenenance section, readies dessert trays at the New Orleans Mission, Oct. 10. The NOM serves more than 200 guests at each meal throughout the day, which is served by volunteers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tiffany Edwards)

Despite the government shutdown, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve remains fully engaged. ESGR is a Department of Defense agency that seeks to promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees. - Despite the government shutdown, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve remains fully engaged. ESGR is a Department of Defense agency that seeks to promote a culture in which all American employers support and value the military service of their employees.

(From left to right) Lt. Col. Michael Varicak, Rebecca Varicak, Sandra Deal, and Nathan Deal celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree and the release of the Varicak's book, "The Journey of a Toys for Tots Toy!" at the capitol in Atlanta, Dec. 5. The book illustrates the process a toy goes through when it has been donated to the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program. All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Toys for Tots Foundation. - (From left to right) Lt. Col. Michael Varicak, Rebecca Varicak, Sandra Deal, and Nathan Deal celebrate the lighting of the Christmas tree and the release of the Varicak's book, "The Journey of a Toys for Tots Toy!" at the capitol in Atlanta, Dec. 5. The book illustrates the process a toy goes through when it has been donated to the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots program. All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to the Toys for Tots Foundation.

Sgt. Dante Capane receives the Reservist of the Year Award from Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps, Michael P. Barrett, at Lejeune Field, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Sept. 26, 2012. Of the 39,000 Reserve Marines, Capane was chosen to receive the award by the Marine Corps League. - Sgt. Dante Capane receives the Reservist of the Year Award from Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps, Michael P. Barrett, at Lejeune Field, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Sept. 26, 2012. Of the 39,000 Reserve Marines, Capane was chosen to receive the award by the Marine Corps League.

Marines with Company B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, out of Louisiana, unload thousands of pounds of illegal drugs from a vehicle during interdiction operations in southwestern Afghanistan, May 9. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 and 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment supported efforts to disrupt the enemy's drug smuggling operations. Such missions have proven effective in disrupting the enemy's movement and limiting their finances from the illegal drug trade. - Marines with Company B, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, out of Louisiana, unload thousands of pounds of illegal drugs from a vehicle during interdiction operations in southwestern Afghanistan, May 9. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 and 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment supported efforts to disrupt the enemy's drug smuggling operations. Such missions have proven effective in disrupting the enemy's movement and limiting their finances from the illegal drug trade.