Stories

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Mike Stevens gives a brief to Marines and Sailors with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and the Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 22, 2016. The MCPON discuss current trending and important topics, including: rating changes, deployment opportunities and the importance of senior leaders effectively communicating with their subordinates. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. U. Roberts/Released) - Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Mike Stevens gives a brief to Marines and Sailors with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and the Naval Health Clinic Cherry Point at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 22, 2016. The MCPON discuss current trending and important topics, including: rating changes, deployment opportunities and the importance of senior leaders effectively communicating with their subordinates. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. U. Roberts/Released)

Lance Cpl. Xavier Tunstall participates in an obstacle course during non-lethal weapons training at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 17, 2016. Twelve Marines from various units participated in the training event with the Provost Marshal‘s Office. Marines were sprayed in the face with the potent substance and then maneuvered through an obstacle course simulating non-compliant threats. The training familiarized the participants with both the gear they will carry and the effects it will have on an individual being sprayed. Tunstall is an administrative clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Lance Cpl. Xavier Tunstall participates in an obstacle course during non-lethal weapons training at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 17, 2016. Twelve Marines from various units participated in the training event with the Provost Marshal‘s Office. Marines were sprayed in the face with the potent substance and then maneuvered through an obstacle course simulating non-compliant threats. The training familiarized the participants with both the gear they will carry and the effects it will have on an individual being sprayed. Tunstall is an administrative clerk with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 Marines, their families and members of the Havelock community bow their heads for prayer before the kick-off of the simiannual pig pickin’ at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 22, 2016. More than 300 Marines, family members and members of the Havelock community attended the event. The event was held to show the community’s appreciation to the Marines and thank the service members on Cherry Point for their contributions to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - Marine Attack Training Squadron 203 Marines, their families and members of the Havelock community bow their heads for prayer before the kick-off of the simiannual pig pickin’ at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 22, 2016. More than 300 Marines, family members and members of the Havelock community attended the event. The event was held to show the community’s appreciation to the Marines and thank the service members on Cherry Point for their contributions to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

Lt. Col. Kris Faught speaks to Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 before the first RQ-21A Blackjack flight into Class D airspace over Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 21, 2016. The RQ-21A Blackjack system is modular, flexible and multi-mission capable, providing roll-on, roll-off transitions between land and maritime environments. Faught is the commanding officer of VMU-2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - Lt. Col. Kris Faught speaks to Marines with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 2 before the first RQ-21A Blackjack flight into Class D airspace over Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 21, 2016. The RQ-21A Blackjack system is modular, flexible and multi-mission capable, providing roll-on, roll-off transitions between land and maritime environments. Faught is the commanding officer of VMU-2. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

The Marine Corps has a zero-tolerance policy on substance abuse. Just like drugs, alcohol physically impairs the body to perform to its fullest capabilities. Drinking and driving not only puts the driver at risk, but the passengers and other motorists in danger as well. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy/Released) - The Marine Corps has a zero-tolerance policy on substance abuse. Just like drugs, alcohol physically impairs the body to perform to its fullest capabilities. Drinking and driving not only puts the driver at risk, but the passengers and other motorists in danger as well. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonah Lovy/Released)

A workbook lies open during a Prime for life prevention course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 17, 2016. Prime for Life is an evidence-based prevention course that helps identify risks associated with alcohol and drug abuse, as well as promote skills for making low-risk choices. Prime for Life also emphasizes self-assessment, which provides guidance to individuals on how to better understand and accept the need to change personal behaviors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - A workbook lies open during a Prime for life prevention course at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 17, 2016. Prime for Life is an evidence-based prevention course that helps identify risks associated with alcohol and drug abuse, as well as promote skills for making low-risk choices. Prime for Life also emphasizes self-assessment, which provides guidance to individuals on how to better understand and accept the need to change personal behaviors. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

Cpl. Joseph Currey, left, salutes Lt. Col. Jeremy Winters, right, during an award ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 1, 2016. Currey was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his actions after witnessing an ambulance wreck. Currey demonstrated his devotion to serving others as he placed the well-being of the injured personnel above his own by running towards the scene of an accident and rendering aide to those need. Currey is an air support operations operator with Marine Aviation Support Squadron 1. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Austin A. Lewis, U.S. Marine Corps caption by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Cpl. Joseph Currey, left, salutes Lt. Col. Jeremy Winters, right, during an award ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 1, 2016. Currey was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for his actions after witnessing an ambulance wreck. Currey demonstrated his devotion to serving others as he placed the well-being of the injured personnel above his own by running towards the scene of an accident and rendering aide to those need. Currey is an air support operations operator with Marine Aviation Support Squadron 1. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Austin A. Lewis, U.S. Marine Corps caption by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)

A plane captain directs an TAV-8B Harrier pilot prior to take off at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 11, 2016. A plane captain is responsible for conducting a final examination of the aircraft and guiding the pilots out onto the runway. Plane captains possess extensive knowledge of their designated aircraft and can determine if there are any last minute discrepancies that could potentially ground the aircraft. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - A plane captain directs an TAV-8B Harrier pilot prior to take off at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., March 11, 2016. A plane captain is responsible for conducting a final examination of the aircraft and guiding the pilots out onto the runway. Plane captains possess extensive knowledge of their designated aircraft and can determine if there are any last minute discrepancies that could potentially ground the aircraft. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)

Sgt. Fatimah Butler accepts the first place medal from Lt. Col. Ginger E. Beals, commanding officer of MWSS-271 for the Chef of the Quarter Competition at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., mess hall, March 17, 2016. Three Marines competed this quarter, and Butler was named the winner. Butler will move on to the Chef of the Year Competition and compete with the other Chef of the Quarter winners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released) - Sgt. Fatimah Butler accepts the first place medal from Lt. Col. Ginger E. Beals, commanding officer of MWSS-271 for the Chef of the Quarter Competition at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., mess hall, March 17, 2016. Three Marines competed this quarter, and Butler was named the winner. Butler will move on to the Chef of the Year Competition and compete with the other Chef of the Quarter winners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Mackenzie Gibson/Released)

Sergeant Ashley Rowback poses for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 5, 2016. Rowback recently completed a 48.6 mile four event race and raised more than 11,000 dollars for leukemia and lymphoma research in memory of her late grandfather. Rowback’s love for running has given her the ability to use something she enjoys as a way to raise awareness. Her passion for physical fitness has shaped her career in the Marine Corps and has paved the way for her transition into the nursing field upon her exit from the Corps. Rowback is the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general’s driver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released) - Sergeant Ashley Rowback poses for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 5, 2016. Rowback recently completed a 48.6 mile four event race and raised more than 11,000 dollars for leukemia and lymphoma research in memory of her late grandfather. Rowback’s love for running has given her the ability to use something she enjoys as a way to raise awareness. Her passion for physical fitness has shaped her career in the Marine Corps and has paved the way for her transition into the nursing field upon her exit from the Corps. Rowback is the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing commanding general’s driver. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. N.W. Huertas/ Released)