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.

A Marine reads a knowledge question during Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28 semi-annual Spartan Cup field meet at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Jan. 29. The Marines competed in various activities, including tug-of-war and the running of the ranks, in which the three companies battled head-to-head to win the squadron’s Spartan Cup. The field meet is held to further strengthen esprit de corps and unit cohesion within the squadron, and to foster a sense of unit pride while improving Marines’ overall readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Unique Roberts/ Released) - A Marine reads a knowledge question during Marine Wing Communication Squadron 28 semi-annual Spartan Cup field meet at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Jan. 29. The Marines competed in various activities, including tug-of-war and the running of the ranks, in which the three companies battled head-to-head to win the squadron’s Spartan Cup. The field meet is held to further strengthen esprit de corps and unit cohesion within the squadron, and to foster a sense of unit pride while improving Marines’ overall readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Unique Roberts/ Released)

With flu season at its peak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest avoid contact with sick people; while sick, limit contact with others and stay home if possible; cover mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing; and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. According to the CDC another essential part of preventing the spread of the flu virus is properly washing and sanitizing hands regularly. To wash your hands, wet your hands with clean running water and apply antibacterial soap. Rub hands together to lather and scrub well; making sure to clean the backs of your hands and underneath the fingernails as well. Continue rubbing hands for approximately 20 seconds. Rinse, and dry your hands using a clean towel or by air drying. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Grace L. Waladkewics/Released) - With flu season at its peak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest avoid contact with sick people; while sick, limit contact with others and stay home if possible; cover mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing; and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. According to the CDC another essential part of preventing the spread of the flu virus is properly washing and sanitizing hands regularly. To wash your hands, wet your hands with clean running water and apply antibacterial soap. Rub hands together to lather and scrub well; making sure to clean the backs of your hands and underneath the fingernails as well. Continue rubbing hands for approximately 20 seconds. Rinse, and dry your hands using a clean towel or by air drying. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Grace L. Waladkewics/Released)

The cockpit of an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Full Mission Simulator accurately replicates all sensors and weapons to provide a realistic mission rehearsal and training environment. (Courtesy Asset/Released) - The cockpit of an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Full Mission Simulator accurately replicates all sensors and weapons to provide a realistic mission rehearsal and training environment. (Courtesy Asset/Released)

Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 load a CH-53E Super Stallion onto a C-5 Galaxy in preparation for Operation Cold Response 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 3, 2016. The key purpose of Cold Response is to train and educate participants on how to conduct combat operations in a cold weather environment. Up to 2,000 Marines and 15,000 military personnel from 14 nations will attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-level exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released) - Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 464 load a CH-53E Super Stallion onto a C-5 Galaxy in preparation for Operation Cold Response 2016 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 3, 2016. The key purpose of Cold Response is to train and educate participants on how to conduct combat operations in a cold weather environment. Up to 2,000 Marines and 15,000 military personnel from 14 nations will attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization-level exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Nicholas P. Baird/Released)

A Marine hikes in their snowshoes during cold weather training at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Calif., Jan. 21, 2016. The cold weather training done in the Sierra Mountains is a warm-up to Exercise Cold Response 1-16 in Norway. Nearly 80 Marines with 2nd LAAD Bn. participated in the two-weeklong exercise that taught basic mobility in snow, defensive and offensive tactics as well as basic cold weather and high altitude conditions training. - A Marine hikes in their snowshoes during cold weather training at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, Calif., Jan. 21, 2016. The cold weather training done in the Sierra Mountains is a warm-up to Exercise Cold Response 1-16 in Norway. Nearly 80 Marines with 2nd LAAD Bn. participated in the two-weeklong exercise that taught basic mobility in snow, defensive and offensive tactics as well as basic cold weather and high altitude conditions training.

Cpl. Justin McDaniel accepts the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal during an award ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 3, 2015. McDaniel was presented the award for his quick and precise problem solving skills that led to the safe landing of an AV-8B Harrier that had experienced navigational equipment failure. His actions on Dec. 1, 2015, were the product of McDaniel’s extensive training and well-earned confidence in his own skills as an air traffic controller. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released) - Cpl. Justin McDaniel accepts the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal during an award ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Dec. 3, 2015. McDaniel was presented the award for his quick and precise problem solving skills that led to the safe landing of an AV-8B Harrier that had experienced navigational equipment failure. His actions on Dec. 1, 2015, were the product of McDaniel’s extensive training and well-earned confidence in his own skills as an air traffic controller. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo By Cpl. N.W. Huertas/Released)