Stories

Participants of the annual Historic Uniform Pageant stand on stage aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Nov. 4, 2016. The pageant is held to honor the Marine Corps’ birthday and features Marines wearing uniforms from all major conflicts the Marine Corps has fought in. The pageant depicts the Corps’ long illustrious history throughout decades of warfighting. The pageant also included a traditional cake-cutting ceremony representing the passing of traditions from the eldest Marine to the youngest. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Participants of the annual Historic Uniform Pageant stand on stage aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Nov. 4, 2016. The pageant is held to honor the Marine Corps’ birthday and features Marines wearing uniforms from all major conflicts the Marine Corps has fought in. The pageant depicts the Corps’ long illustrious history throughout decades of warfighting. The pageant also included a traditional cake-cutting ceremony representing the passing of traditions from the eldest Marine to the youngest. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Audience members listen to a performance by country singers during the 8th annual Guitar Pull at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Nov. 16, 2016. More than 1,800 Marines, Sailors and members of the community came together to enjoy a free concert with musical artists like Trace Adkins, Jerrod Niemann, Josh Turner and more. The event brought forth an opportunity for service members and locals to interact with each other in a unique environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - Audience members listen to a performance by country singers during the 8th annual Guitar Pull at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Nov. 16, 2016. More than 1,800 Marines, Sailors and members of the community came together to enjoy a free concert with musical artists like Trace Adkins, Jerrod Niemann, Josh Turner and more. The event brought forth an opportunity for service members and locals to interact with each other in a unique environment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Thousands of Marines and Sailors gather after completing a Marine Corps birthday run at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Nov. 3, 2016. The run celebrated the 241st Marine Corps birthday and strengthened pride, esprit de corps, and camaraderie among all Marines and Sailors aboard the air station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Thousands of Marines and Sailors gather after completing a Marine Corps birthday run at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Nov. 3, 2016. The run celebrated the 241st Marine Corps birthday and strengthened pride, esprit de corps, and camaraderie among all Marines and Sailors aboard the air station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. N.W. Huertas/Released)

A jack-o-lantern idly sits amongst a Marine’s Halloween-themed decorations during a Haunted Barracks event aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 28, 2016. Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 hosted the event to give Marines living in the barracks an opportunity to celebrate Halloween with other MWHS-2 Marines and their families. Children went door-to-door with their parents and received candy from the Marines. - A jack-o-lantern idly sits amongst a Marine’s Halloween-themed decorations during a Haunted Barracks event aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 28, 2016. Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 2 hosted the event to give Marines living in the barracks an opportunity to celebrate Halloween with other MWHS-2 Marines and their families. Children went door-to-door with their parents and received candy from the Marines.

Marines display their decorated display during a Trunk or Treat event aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 27, 2016. Marine Corps Community Services hosted the Halloween-inspired event that included face painting; touch the truck displays; and a family glow dance party. Decorated trunks were judged and the highest-rated contestants received door prizes. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Marines display their decorated display during a Trunk or Treat event aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 27, 2016. Marine Corps Community Services hosted the Halloween-inspired event that included face painting; touch the truck displays; and a family glow dance party. Decorated trunks were judged and the highest-rated contestants received door prizes. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

The Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point soccer team, along with Navy Capt. Angela Nimmo, celebrates winning the coveted Cherry Point intramural sports trophy aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 27, 2016. Cherry Point’s Semper Fit program annually re-awards the trophy to the unit aboard the air station that wins the most championships throughout the year. Some of the sports they participated in include softball, basketball, football and soccer. Nimmo is the Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - The Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point soccer team, along with Navy Capt. Angela Nimmo, celebrates winning the coveted Cherry Point intramural sports trophy aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 27, 2016. Cherry Point’s Semper Fit program annually re-awards the trophy to the unit aboard the air station that wins the most championships throughout the year. Some of the sports they participated in include softball, basketball, football and soccer. Nimmo is the Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point commanding officer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Cpl. Aaron Rayburn speaks to Marines during a water survival advanced course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 25, 2016. Rayburn, originally an air framer with Marine Transport Squadron 1, volunteered to become a search and rescue swimmer with the squadron. After the search and rescue mission for VMR-1 ended, he took his aquatic skills and applied them as a Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival. Rayburn is a MCIWS with VMR-1. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Cpl. Aaron Rayburn speaks to Marines during a water survival advanced course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 25, 2016. Rayburn, originally an air framer with Marine Transport Squadron 1, volunteered to become a search and rescue swimmer with the squadron. After the search and rescue mission for VMR-1 ended, he took his aquatic skills and applied them as a Marine Combat Instructor of Water Survival. Rayburn is a MCIWS with VMR-1. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Edward Hudson explains the functions of a ladder truck to students at W.J. Gurganus Elementary School in Havelock, N.C., Oct. 20, 2016. The Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Services Department visited the school to demonstrate what to do in fire emergencies and how to prevent them. The students also learned about the equipment firefighters use every day to complete their mission. Hudson is the fire captain with the Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Services Department. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Edward Hudson explains the functions of a ladder truck to students at W.J. Gurganus Elementary School in Havelock, N.C., Oct. 20, 2016. The Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Services Department visited the school to demonstrate what to do in fire emergencies and how to prevent them. The students also learned about the equipment firefighters use every day to complete their mission. Hudson is the fire captain with the Cherry Point Fire and Emergency Services Department. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Brig. Gen. Matthew Glavy reads an excerpt from Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 1-Warfighting to the Marines graduating from the Squadron Intelligence Training Certificate Course aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 21, 2016. The course was designed for intelligence Marines to give them a more in-depth look at how to operate in their job field aboard air stations in the Marine Corps. “Your job is not always about doing things right; it’s also about doing the right thing,” said Glavy. “You can do something to the best of your ability, but is it ultimately in the best interest of achieving our goals? That is why this course is in place; to ensure that we do the right things, for the right reasons.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Brig. Gen. Matthew Glavy reads an excerpt from Marine Corps Doctrinal Publication 1-Warfighting to the Marines graduating from the Squadron Intelligence Training Certificate Course aboard Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Oct. 21, 2016. The course was designed for intelligence Marines to give them a more in-depth look at how to operate in their job field aboard air stations in the Marine Corps. “Your job is not always about doing things right; it’s also about doing the right thing,” said Glavy. “You can do something to the best of your ability, but is it ultimately in the best interest of achieving our goals? That is why this course is in place; to ensure that we do the right things, for the right reasons.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Lance Cpl. Charles Schneider recently completed his initial training to become a crew master with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. “I’ve always been pretty mechanically inclined.” said Schneider. “I wanted to try something that very few people take advantage of. I’ve always loved airplanes, so I figured it would be really cool to work on them in the Marine Corps.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Lance Cpl. Charles Schneider recently completed his initial training to become a crew master with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. “I’ve always been pretty mechanically inclined.” said Schneider. “I wanted to try something that very few people take advantage of. I’ve always loved airplanes, so I figured it would be really cool to work on them in the Marine Corps.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)