Stories

After completing the crucible’s physically and mentally demanding challenges over the course of 54-hours with limited food and sleep, the recruits will finally have the privilege to call themselves United States Marines. - U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Tyler Leggett, a recruit with Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, fires blank rounds during a simulated ambush on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 29, 2021. This event was a segment of the crucible – the culminating event of recruit training. After completing the crucible’s physically and mentally demanding challenges over the course of 54-hours with limited food and sleep, the recruits will finally have the privilege to call themselves United States Marines. Leggett was recruited out of Los Angeles, Calif. with Recruiting Lancaster. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christopher A. Madero)

officer with Kilo Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division (1st MARDIV), observes a target during Exercise Steel Knight 22 - U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Blaskowski, an infantry officer with Kilo Company, 3d Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division (1st MARDIV), observes a target during Exercise Steel Knight 22 (SK-22) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 8, 2021. SK-22 is a 1st MARDIV-led annual training exercise which enables the Navy-Marine Corps team to operate in a realistic, combined-arms environment to enhance naval warfighting tactics, techniques and procedures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Gabriel Antwiler)

1st Marine Division led annual training exercise - A U.S. Marine with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 (VMFA-225), watches an F-35B Lightning II land on the flight deck of the USS Makin Island (LHD-8) during Exercise Steel Knight 22 (SK-22), off the coast of California, Dec. 6, 2021. SK-22 is a 1st Marine Division led annual training exercise which enables the Navy-Marine Corps team to operate in a realistic, combined-arms environment to enhance naval warfighting tactics, techniques and procedures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jacob Yost)

race cars - Drift cars race, May, 13, 2017, in Atlanta, Ga. Air Force recruiting swore in delayed enlistment program Airmen before the races began. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Daniel Snider)

relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Terry Johnson (right), the 1st Marine Division (1st MARDIV) chief of staff, passes the noncommissioned officer (NCO) sword to Sgt. Maj. David Wilson (center), the incoming sergeant major of 1st MARDIV, during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 30, 2021. The passing of the NCO sword represents the transfer of duties from Sgt. Maj. Jason Jones, the off-going sergeant major of 1st MARDIV, to Wilson. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brayden Daniel)

HMLA-775 conducts close air support training with 1st ANGLICO - U.S. Marine Cpl. Robert Sponable, a UH-1Y Venom helicopter crew chief with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, scans the sky around a UH-1Y Venom helicopter during a training exercise at Range 440Z on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 4 2021. The reservists of HMLA-775 provide aviation support that enables I Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton tenant commands the ability to maintain and enhance their combat readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Hope Straley)

platoon-level training - U.S. Marine Corps rifleman with India Co., 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, fires at a target during a platoon-level training event at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, Oct. 19, 2021. During the training, India Co. focused on attacking an enemy trench. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Connor Hancock)

Photo - A U.S. Marine MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 764, Marine Aircraft Group 41, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, lands on Holtville Airfield during a combined training operation with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 775, MAG-41, 4th MAW, near El Centro, California, Oct. 17, 2021. The reservists of HMLA-775, along with the other squadrons on the air station, provide aviation support that enables I Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton tenant commands and visiting units to maintain and enhance their mission capabilities and combat readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Andrew Cortez)

3rd MAW helo pulls Recon Marines out of water - 3rd MAW helo pulls Recon Marines out of water during wet SPIE rigging

F-35s hot-pit refuel at MCAS Camp Pendleton - F-35s hot-pit refuel at MCAS Camp Pendleton