Stories

Two F/A-18 Hornets take off during Exercise Coastal Predator at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 16, 2016. Coastal Predator is an exercise that included Marine Corps and Army aviation assets along with Air Force personnel and civilian contractors to conduct Forward Air Controller Airborne training in accordance with the pre-deployment training program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released) - Two F/A-18 Hornets take off during Exercise Coastal Predator at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 16, 2016. Coastal Predator is an exercise that included Marine Corps and Army aviation assets along with Air Force personnel and civilian contractors to conduct Forward Air Controller Airborne training in accordance with the pre-deployment training program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jason Jimenez/Released)

Corporal Erix Quinteros pulls himself up on a bar while maneuvering the obstacle course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 17, 2016. More than 85 noncommissioned officers with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 participated in the physical training exercise “Chaos,” which tested their warfighting abilities: strength, communication and dependability. During the training the Marines were put into fire teams where they had to navigate the obstacle course, trek through the combat pool and hike one-mile with a simulated casualty and assault load. The purpose of the event was to build on unit cohesion, esprit de corps and mental and physical resiliency. Quinteros is an automotive maintenance technician with MWCS-28. - Corporal Erix Quinteros pulls himself up on a bar while maneuvering the obstacle course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 17, 2016. More than 85 noncommissioned officers with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 28 participated in the physical training exercise “Chaos,” which tested their warfighting abilities: strength, communication and dependability. During the training the Marines were put into fire teams where they had to navigate the obstacle course, trek through the combat pool and hike one-mile with a simulated casualty and assault load. The purpose of the event was to build on unit cohesion, esprit de corps and mental and physical resiliency. Quinteros is an automotive maintenance technician with MWCS-28.

Captain Adam Chase embraces his sons during a homecoming ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 16, 2016. Marines and Sailors with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 returned to the air station after a six-month deployment in support of the United States Pacific Command combatant commander, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing with EA-6B expeditionary electronic warfare capabilities. Chase is an embark action officer with the squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Captain Adam Chase embraces his sons during a homecoming ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 16, 2016. Marines and Sailors with Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 returned to the air station after a six-month deployment in support of the United States Pacific Command combatant commander, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing with EA-6B expeditionary electronic warfare capabilities. Chase is an embark action officer with the squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

Cpl. Alyson Conchar gives Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 instructions during gas chamber training at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 10, 2016. Marines in the gas chamber faced the CS gas as part of their qualification to familiarize themselves with the equipment and skills if faced with a biochemical attack. Marines of every military occupational specialty must be proficient with the equipment as it is part of every Marines’ basic skills. Conchar is a Chemical, Biological, Radiologicl and Nuclear defense specialist. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Cpl. Alyson Conchar gives Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 14 instructions during gas chamber training at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 10, 2016. Marines in the gas chamber faced the CS gas as part of their qualification to familiarize themselves with the equipment and skills if faced with a biochemical attack. Marines of every military occupational specialty must be proficient with the equipment as it is part of every Marines’ basic skills. Conchar is a Chemical, Biological, Radiologicl and Nuclear defense specialist. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

Senior leaders with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point watch a suicide scenario during the Suicide Prevention Leadership Symposium at Cherry Point, N.C. Jan. 28. The Marines were visited by suicide prevention specialist who spoke on topics including: the difference between suicide prevention; and post-vention, national trends and support for suicide; and Marine Corps initiatives and response to suicide. During the seminar senior leaders were able to ask questions and deliberate on ways to improve the Marine Corps approach to handle suicide. - Senior leaders with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point watch a suicide scenario during the Suicide Prevention Leadership Symposium at Cherry Point, N.C. Jan. 28. The Marines were visited by suicide prevention specialist who spoke on topics including: the difference between suicide prevention; and post-vention, national trends and support for suicide; and Marine Corps initiatives and response to suicide. During the seminar senior leaders were able to ask questions and deliberate on ways to improve the Marine Corps approach to handle suicide.

Lance Cpl. Rebecca A. Newton poses in front of a UC-35C/D Citation at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 8, 2016. Newton was awarded Station Marine of the Year for her hard work and dedication. She has served at MCAS Cherry Point for more than a year with Marine Transport Squadron 1 and is an aviation operations specialist. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - Lance Cpl. Rebecca A. Newton poses in front of a UC-35C/D Citation at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 8, 2016. Newton was awarded Station Marine of the Year for her hard work and dedication. She has served at MCAS Cherry Point for more than a year with Marine Transport Squadron 1 and is an aviation operations specialist. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

A crowd of service members raise their hands during an interactive exercise during a Single Marine and Sailor Personal Growth Retreat in New Bern, N.C., Jan. 29-30, 2016. Marines and Sailors from across 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing gathered for a detailed seminar that encompassed basic skills like coping with stress, relationship building and self-awareness. The seminar was led by chaplains with 2nd MAW and focused on helping Marines and Sailors grow as individuals to get them mentally ready for forward deployment and to promote self-improvement. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - A crowd of service members raise their hands during an interactive exercise during a Single Marine and Sailor Personal Growth Retreat in New Bern, N.C., Jan. 29-30, 2016. Marines and Sailors from across 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing gathered for a detailed seminar that encompassed basic skills like coping with stress, relationship building and self-awareness. The seminar was led by chaplains with 2nd MAW and focused on helping Marines and Sailors grow as individuals to get them mentally ready for forward deployment and to promote self-improvement. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

Couples listens as a chaplain instructs during the semi-annual Chaplain’s Religious Enrichment Development Operation Marriage Enrichment Retreat in New Bern, Feb. 5-6. More than 30 couples attended the retreat and participated in various relationship strengthening activities including: Hidden Keys to a Loving Relationship, The Love Bank, Love Busters and Love Builders. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Grace L. Waladkewics/Released) - Couples listens as a chaplain instructs during the semi-annual Chaplain’s Religious Enrichment Development Operation Marriage Enrichment Retreat in New Bern, Feb. 5-6. More than 30 couples attended the retreat and participated in various relationship strengthening activities including: Hidden Keys to a Loving Relationship, The Love Bank, Love Busters and Love Builders. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Grace L. Waladkewics/Released)

The Marine Corps has released new promotion criteria for lance corporals and corporals looking to rank up in Marine administrative message 055/16 Feb. 4. Effective April 1, lance corporals and corporals must have 12 months time-in-grade to be eligible for promotion to the next rank according to the MARADMIN. - The Marine Corps has released new promotion criteria for lance corporals and corporals looking to rank up in Marine administrative message 055/16 Feb. 4. Effective April 1, lance corporals and corporals must have 12 months time-in-grade to be eligible for promotion to the next rank according to the MARADMIN.

Posters encouraging Marines to engage the political systems they defend hang in various locations throughout Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. With their military lifestyles and professional requirements, Marines often find politics and profession to be a balancing act. While maximum participation in the electoral process is encouraged throughout the Marine Corps, the guidelines laid out in Department of Defense Directive 1344.10 are readily available to Marines walking the politics-profession tightrope as they perform their civic and military duties. - Posters encouraging Marines to engage the political systems they defend hang in various locations throughout Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. With their military lifestyles and professional requirements, Marines often find politics and profession to be a balancing act. While maximum participation in the electoral process is encouraged throughout the Marine Corps, the guidelines laid out in Department of Defense Directive 1344.10 are readily available to Marines walking the politics-profession tightrope as they perform their civic and military duties.