Sgt. Andrew Portell, funeral honors noncommissioned officer-in-charge, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, is awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at their home training center in Bridgeton, Mo., Jan 7. Portell received the award for his role in coordinating more than 1,000 funeral honors ceremonies, 623 of which he personally conducted. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Michael Ito) - Sgt. Andrew Portell, funeral honors noncommissioned officer-in-charge, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, is awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal at their home training center in Bridgeton, Mo., Jan 7. Portell received the award for his role in coordinating more than 1,000 funeral honors ceremonies, 623 of which he personally conducted. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Michael Ito)

Marines with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, cross a stream on their way to their first point during a land navigation course as part of Operation Javelin Thrust, July 21. - Marines with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, cross a stream on their way to their first point during a land navigation course as part of Operation Javelin Thrust, July 21.

Marines of I Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment practice evacuating a simulated casualty during improvised explosive device training at Operation Javelin Thrust, July 21. - Marines of I Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment practice evacuating a simulated casualty during improvised explosive device training at Operation Javelin Thrust, July 21.