L.I.N.K.S., lifestyles, insights, networking, knowledge, and skills, is an official Marine Corps program that provides Marines and their families with the connections and resources essential to managing life in the Corps. A volunteer-based program, L.I.N.K.S. provides Marine families with available resources, such as deployment support, information on Marine Corps traditions, career planners and more. (Courtesy Photo) - L.I.N.K.S., lifestyles, insights, networking, knowledge, and skills, is an official Marine Corps program that provides Marines and their families with the connections and resources essential to managing life in the Corps. A volunteer-based program, L.I.N.K.S. provides Marine families with available resources, such as deployment support, information on Marine Corps traditions, career planners and more. (Courtesy Photo)

Camp Atterbury, Ind. - A foot-mobile M98A2 Javelin team fires at a target down range during their Reserve forces drill period training, March 15, 2014, at a firing range on Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Center. Firing a javelin missile is a rare opportunity for the Marines, considered by many to be a once in a lifetime practice shoot. The Marines are with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.(Marine Corps photo by Cpl. J. Gage Karwick/released) - Camp Atterbury, Ind. - A foot-mobile M98A2 Javelin team fires at a target down range during their Reserve forces drill period training, March 15, 2014, at a firing range on Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Center. Firing a javelin missile is a rare opportunity for the Marines, considered by many to be a once in a lifetime practice shoot. The Marines are with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.(Marine Corps photo by Cpl. J. Gage Karwick/released)

NEW ORLEANS – Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, signs a statement of support for the Guard and Reserve at the Marine Corps Support Facility, Oct. 29. The statement signifies the commander’s intent to assist Marines and sailors with their careers, supporting the mission of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. ESGR aims to gain and maintain civilian employer support for Guardsmen and Reserve members by rewarding outstanding support from civilian employers, educating service members and employers of their rights and obligations under the law, as well as resolving conflict through mediation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tiffany Edwards) - NEW ORLEANS – Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills, commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North, signs a statement of support for the Guard and Reserve at the Marine Corps Support Facility, Oct. 29. The statement signifies the commander’s intent to assist Marines and sailors with their careers, supporting the mission of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. ESGR aims to gain and maintain civilian employer support for Guardsmen and Reserve members by rewarding outstanding support from civilian employers, educating service members and employers of their rights and obligations under the law, as well as resolving conflict through mediation. (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.

Capt. Michael Roberson, a UH-1N Huey utility helicopter pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, Marine Aircraft Group 49, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts a simulated close-air support mission at Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 17, 2012. Roberson is a Columbia, S.C., native and has deployed four times to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Nana Dannsa-Appiah/Released) - Capt. Michael Roberson, a UH-1N Huey utility helicopter pilot with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773, Marine Aircraft Group 49, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, conducts a simulated close-air support mission at Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct. 17, 2012. Roberson is a Columbia, S.C., native and has deployed four times to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Nana Dannsa-Appiah/Released)

Montford Point Marines Sgt. Riley A. McCray and Cpl. Lynn L. Williams are presented with the Congressional Gold Medal by Capt. Caitlin T. Ferrarell at a ceremony here Sept. 21. Ferrarell is the Inspector-Instructor for Detachment 2, Beach and Terminal Operations Company A, 4th Landing Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, in Concord, Calif. The pair earned the award by presidential order for being a few of the 22,000 African-American Marines to serve in the Corps between 1942 and 1949 during a time of common racism and segregation. Marine Reserve units from 22 states around the nation have been tasked to deliver 78 medals to Montford Point Marines who weren’t in attendance at the July ceremony in Washington, D.C. - Montford Point Marines Sgt. Riley A. McCray and Cpl. Lynn L. Williams are presented with the Congressional Gold Medal by Capt. Caitlin T. Ferrarell at a ceremony here Sept. 21. Ferrarell is the Inspector-Instructor for Detachment 2, Beach and Terminal Operations Company A, 4th Landing Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, in Concord, Calif. The pair earned the award by presidential order for being a few of the 22,000 African-American Marines to serve in the Corps between 1942 and 1949 during a time of common racism and segregation. Marine Reserve units from 22 states around the nation have been tasked to deliver 78 medals to Montford Point Marines who weren’t in attendance at the July ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, commander of Marine Forces Reserve, accepts an award from Melanie L. Young, president of the Molly Marine chapter of the Women Marines Association, during a ceremony where the local Molly Marine chapter presented MARFORRES with an award plaque at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Oct. 15. The Molly Marine chapter was awarded the Ruth and Dick Broe Award, the most prestigious award given to WMA chapters for overall outstanding chapter achievement, at their most recent national convention and professional development conference that took place in Philadelphia from Aug. 30 through Sept. 4. - Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, commander of Marine Forces Reserve, accepts an award from Melanie L. Young, president of the Molly Marine chapter of the Women Marines Association, during a ceremony where the local Molly Marine chapter presented MARFORRES with an award plaque at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Oct. 15. The Molly Marine chapter was awarded the Ruth and Dick Broe Award, the most prestigious award given to WMA chapters for overall outstanding chapter achievement, at their most recent national convention and professional development conference that took place in Philadelphia from Aug. 30 through Sept. 4.

Brig. Gen. James S. Hartsell receives the Marine Corps colors from Maj. Gen. James M. Lariviere during the 4th Marine Division change of command ceremony at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Sept. 8. The passing of the colors is a symbol of exchanging command responsibility and leadership. Lariviere will serve at the Pentagon after two and a half years of leading 4th MarDiv. - Brig. Gen. James S. Hartsell receives the Marine Corps colors from Maj. Gen. James M. Lariviere during the 4th Marine Division change of command ceremony at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Sept. 8. The passing of the colors is a symbol of exchanging command responsibility and leadership. Lariviere will serve at the Pentagon after two and a half years of leading 4th MarDiv.

Maj. Gen. Tracy L. Garrett, the commanding general of Force Headquarters Group, passes the Marine Corps colors to Brig. Gen. Paul. K. Lebidine, the former chief-of-staff for force command element, Javelin Thrust, here, Aug. 6. The passing of the colors is symbolic of the change of command. During the ceremony, FHG was formally recognized as a new major subordinate command of Marine Forces Reserve. - Maj. Gen. Tracy L. Garrett, the commanding general of Force Headquarters Group, passes the Marine Corps colors to Brig. Gen. Paul. K. Lebidine, the former chief-of-staff for force command element, Javelin Thrust, here, Aug. 6. The passing of the colors is symbolic of the change of command. During the ceremony, FHG was formally recognized as a new major subordinate command of Marine Forces Reserve.