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)

Lance Cpl. Chris Eichelberger, a gunner with a Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, and a native of San Diego, Calif., looks out of the UH-1Y Huey helicopter in preparation to launch from the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course 1-14. WTI is a biannual, seven-week training evolution that trains pilots from every corner of Marine aviation to become experts in tactics and effective situational employment of their aircraft and weapons systems. The intent is to make those who complete the course fully capable of passing their knowledge on to newer pilots. (Official photo by Cpl. Zachary Scanlon) - Lance Cpl. Chris Eichelberger, a gunner with a Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169, and a native of San Diego, Calif., looks out of the UH-1Y Huey helicopter in preparation to launch from the flight line at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructors Course 1-14. WTI is a biannual, seven-week training evolution that trains pilots from every corner of Marine aviation to become experts in tactics and effective situational employment of their aircraft and weapons systems. The intent is to make those who complete the course fully capable of passing their knowledge on to newer pilots. (Official photo by Cpl. Zachary Scanlon)

Cpl. Lance Decker, an administrative clerk with Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, holds the Headquarters Bn. guidon before the start of a military appearance inspection at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Oct. 11, 2013. Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills, commander of MARFORRES and Marine Forces North published a force policy letter to be implemented by his Marines without delay, addressing the commandant's initiatives to get back to the basics. - Cpl. Lance Decker, an administrative clerk with Headquarters Battalion, Marine Forces Reserve, holds the Headquarters Bn. guidon before the start of a military appearance inspection at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans, Oct. 11, 2013. Lt. Gen. Richard P. Mills, commander of MARFORRES and Marine Forces North published a force policy letter to be implemented by his Marines without delay, addressing the commandant's initiatives to get back to the basics.

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.

Despite the government shutdown, the family readiness program and family readiness officers are ready to assist Reserve Marines throughout 163 Marine Forces Reserve sites. These programs are not only a benefit to the service members and their families, but they also uphold the unit's morale and readiness during the government shutdown and beyond. - Despite the government shutdown, the family readiness program and family readiness officers are ready to assist Reserve Marines throughout 163 Marine Forces Reserve sites. These programs are not only a benefit to the service members and their families, but they also uphold the unit's morale and readiness during the government shutdown and beyond.

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based TRICARE plan that qualified Marines in the Selected Marine Corps Reserve and their families can purchase. During the government shutdown, TRICARE will continue to provide services to Reserve Marines. - TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based TRICARE plan that qualified Marines in the Selected Marine Corps Reserve and their families can purchase. During the government shutdown, TRICARE will continue to provide services to Reserve Marines.

Military OneSource is a free service provided by the Department of Defense to service members and their families. Despite the government shutdown, the Military OneSource website and hotline will remain fully operational. They help with a broad range of concerns including confidential non-medical counseling, financial counseling, specialty consultations, and health and wellness coaching. For more information about what Military OneSource offers, call 1-800-342-9647 or visit www.militaryonesource.mil. - Military OneSource is a free service provided by the Department of Defense to service members and their families. Despite the government shutdown, the Military OneSource website and hotline will remain fully operational. They help with a broad range of concerns including confidential non-medical counseling, financial counseling, specialty consultations, and health and wellness coaching. For more information about what Military OneSource offers, call 1-800-342-9647 or visit www.militaryonesource.mil.

Army Maj. James R. Britton, 629th Forward Surgical Team, explains and demonstrates proper suturing techniques to Innovative Readiness Training Joint Task-Force Summit West Virginia personnel, during one of the unit’s daily “Buddy Aid” medical training courses, at Mount Hope, W. Va., Aug. 6. IRT Summit is a Marine-led training event with support from the Navy Reserve, Army Reserve and Army National Guard. It provides real-world training opportunities for service members and units to prepare them for their wartime missions while supporting the needs of America’s underserved communities - Army Maj. James R. Britton, 629th Forward Surgical Team, explains and demonstrates proper suturing techniques to Innovative Readiness Training Joint Task-Force Summit West Virginia personnel, during one of the unit’s daily “Buddy Aid” medical training courses, at Mount Hope, W. Va., Aug. 6. IRT Summit is a Marine-led training event with support from the Navy Reserve, Army Reserve and Army National Guard. It provides real-world training opportunities for service members and units to prepare them for their wartime missions while supporting the needs of America’s underserved communities

CAMP PERRY, Ohio – Capt. James Blaul and Staff Sgt. Timothy Hall, members of the active-duty Marine Corps Marksmanship Training Unit, spot targets for the Illinois Hard Dogs Silver Team during the National Trophy Infantry Team Match here, Aug. 2, 2013. Marines from the active-duty and Reserve MTUs in Quantico, Va. routinely work with junior shooters at rifle marksmanship clinics and competitions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tiffany Edwards) - CAMP PERRY, Ohio – Capt. James Blaul and Staff Sgt. Timothy Hall, members of the active-duty Marine Corps Marksmanship Training Unit, spot targets for the Illinois Hard Dogs Silver Team during the National Trophy Infantry Team Match here, Aug. 2, 2013. Marines from the active-duty and Reserve MTUs in Quantico, Va. routinely work with junior shooters at rifle marksmanship clinics and competitions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tiffany Edwards)

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – Machine gunners with Company B, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, fire toward “enemy” positions during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center here, June 18. Range 410A allows Marines the opportunity to work on small-unit leadership by completing a series of obstacles that involve a platoon-sized element. Range 410A is part of Integrated Training Exercise 4-13, a cornerstone of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Program. ITX is the largest annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve training exercise, utilizing assets from ground, air and logistic combat elements to create a live, virtual and constructive battalion exercise.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John M. McCall) - TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. – Machine gunners with Company B, 1st Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, fire toward “enemy” positions during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center here, June 18. Range 410A allows Marines the opportunity to work on small-unit leadership by completing a series of obstacles that involve a platoon-sized element. Range 410A is part of Integrated Training Exercise 4-13, a cornerstone of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Program. ITX is the largest annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve training exercise, utilizing assets from ground, air and logistic combat elements to create a live, virtual and constructive battalion exercise.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John M. McCall)