Stories

Jessica Pinon, a military spouse walks with her family after her graduation ceremony at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 5. Each year, Marines and their family are given the chance to pursue higher education with the post 9/11 G.I. Bill and tuition assistance program at the Joint Education Centers on base. Several colleges offere associate and bachelor degrees at the JEC where there is a combination of online and on-campus instruction and coursework.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shaltiel Dominguez) - Jessica Pinon, a military spouse walks with her family after her graduation ceremony at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 5. Each year, Marines and their family are given the chance to pursue higher education with the post 9/11 G.I. Bill and tuition assistance program at the Joint Education Centers on base. Several colleges offere associate and bachelor degrees at the JEC where there is a combination of online and on-campus instruction and coursework. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Shaltiel Dominguez)

Matthew, 5, competes in in the 9th annual Lake O'Neill Kids Fishing Derby, here, Sept. 6.The fishing derby is a competition where children attempt to catch the largest fish they can while competing in three to five, six to 10 and 11 to 15 age categories."This event is designed to get kids out of the house where they can learn and have a fun outdoor experience," said Dolores Perez, a recreation specialist with Marine Corps Community Services' Semper Fit division. "I think this is a great way to keep them active and expose them to what could potentially be a new hobby." - Matthew, 5, competes in in the 9th annual Lake O'Neill Kids Fishing Derby, here, Sept. 6. The fishing derby is a competition where children attempt to catch the largest fish they can while competing in three to five, six to 10 and 11 to 15 age categories. "This event is designed to get kids out of the house where they can learn and have a fun outdoor experience," said Dolores Perez, a recreation specialist with Marine Corps Community Services' Semper Fit division. "I think this is a great way to keep them active and expose them to what could potentially be a new hobby."

Firefighters dress in flame resistant suits and oxygen tanks in preparation for an exercise conducted by the Camp Pendleton Fire Department and the Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton’s Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting unit on a controlled burn training facility at the 25 Area here.The training was designed to teach firefighters how to prevent rapid combustion of burned materials in rooms and structures. - Firefighters dress in flame resistant suits and oxygen tanks in preparation for an exercise conducted by the Camp Pendleton Fire Department and the Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton’s Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting unit on a controlled burn training facility at the 25 Area here. The training was designed to teach firefighters how to prevent rapid combustion of burned materials in rooms and structures.

Marines and sailors are competing for a place on the All Navy and Marine Corps rugby team to represent our country in the Common Wealth Navies Rugby Cup located in New Zealand.There are currently 35 members of the All Navy and Marine Corps team, but only about 28 will be going to the rugby motherland. They claimed a 21-7 victory over the Oceanside Chiefs, a division two rugby team with three division titles and one national title, in their first local scrimmage at Paige Field House here, Aug. 30.(Photo by Cpl. Keenan Zelazoski) - Marines and sailors are competing for a place on the All Navy and Marine Corps rugby team to represent our country in the Common Wealth Navies Rugby Cup located in New Zealand.There are currently 35 members of the All Navy and Marine Corps team, but only about 28 will be going to the rugby motherland. They claimed a 21-7 victory over the Oceanside Chiefs, a division two rugby team with three division titles and one national title, in their first local scrimmage at Paige Field House here, Aug. 30.(Photo by Cpl. Keenan Zelazoski)

Last year, service members were provided with yet another facility to choose from when the 22-area mess hall was built. Now, approximately one year and five months later, the mess hall is one of the best on the west coast.The mess hall staff completed their first inspection in pursuit of the William P.T. Hill award for best garrison mess hall in the Marine Corps here, Aug. 25.(Photo by Cpl. Keenan Zelazoski) - Last year, service members were provided with yet another facility to choose from when the 22-area mess hall was built. Now, approximately one year and five months later, the mess hall is one of the best on the west coast. The mess hall staff completed their first inspection in pursuit of the William P.T. Hill award for best garrison mess hall in the Marine Corps here, Aug. 25. (Photo by Cpl. Keenan Zelazoski)

Cpl. Sylina Alexander, a global combat supply support clerk with 1st Maintenance Battalion, competes in trap shooting during the 2014 Commanding General’s Cup Recreational Shooting Tournament here Aug. 20.The shooting tournament will continue until Aug. 22., from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Base Skeet and Trap Range 107 near building 25167. Each has a four-member max, and a three-member minimum.Teams need to register in person at the range in order to schedule a time to compete. - Cpl. Sylina Alexander, a global combat supply support clerk with 1st Maintenance Battalion, competes in trap shooting during the 2014 Commanding General’s Cup Recreational Shooting Tournament here Aug. 20. The shooting tournament will continue until Aug. 22., from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Base Skeet and Trap Range 107 near building 25167. Each has a four-member max, and a three-member minimum. Teams need to register in person at the range in order to schedule a time to compete.

There are various traditions in the military to honor and remember service members who’ve died. Monuments like the Vietnam War Memorial, which lists 58,000 names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and the Arlington National Cemetery, home to 400,000 deceased service members, are testaments to those who have served their country.Paying respect to fallen comrades is a common tradition in militaries across the globe. But the United States Marine Corps has a unique way of honoring their veterans. The honor guard is a team of volunteer Marines who provide a military funeral service for fallen Marines.The Headquarters and Support Battalion Honor Guard team stands down after three months of providing Honor Guard services to Marine veterans here, Aug. 21. - There are various traditions in the military to honor and remember service members who’ve died. Monuments like the Vietnam War Memorial, which lists 58,000 names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and the Arlington National Cemetery, home to 400,000 deceased service members, are testaments to those who have served their country. Paying respect to fallen comrades is a common tradition in militaries across the globe. But the United States Marine Corps has a unique way of honoring their veterans. The honor guard is a team of volunteer Marines who provide a military funeral service for fallen Marines. The Headquarters and Support Battalion Honor Guard team stands down after three months of providing Honor Guard services to Marine veterans here, Aug. 21.

The Miramar Air Station Falcons claimed a 19-8 victory in their opening game of the season against the 1st Marine Division Headquarters Battalion Standard Bearers at the Paige Field House football field here, Aug. 26. The night was a grueling contest starring two defenses that consistently forced fumbles throughout the night.(Photo by; Cpl. Keenan Zelazoski) - The Miramar Air Station Falcons claimed a 19-8 victory in their opening game of the season against the 1st Marine Division Headquarters Battalion Standard Bearers at the Paige Field House football field here, Aug. 26. The night was a grueling contest starring two defenses that consistently forced fumbles throughout the night. (Photo by; Cpl. Keenan Zelazoski)

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion Highlanders controlled the field and finished victorious, 28 – 8 against the 1st Marine Logistics Group Beast, during the 2nd week of the Commanding Generals Cup Football League, at the Paige Fieldhouse football field, Aug. 19. - CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- The 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion Highlanders controlled the field and finished victorious, 28 – 8 against the 1st Marine Logistics Group Beast, during the 2nd week of the Commanding Generals Cup Football League, at the Paige Fieldhouse football field, Aug. 19.

2nd Lt. Benjamin Maple, the kennel master with the Marine Corps Police Department Camp Pendleton K-9 Unit, gives a speech at a memorial dedication with his daughter Taylor Star Maple, 6 at the Pacific Views Event Center’s Memorial Garden here, Aug. 9. The Dawgs Project, a company dedicated to military working dog handlers of all services, unveiled the memorial to commemorate K-9 handling service members. - 2nd Lt. Benjamin Maple, the kennel master with the Marine Corps Police Department Camp Pendleton K-9 Unit, gives a speech at a memorial dedication with his daughter Taylor Star Maple, 6 at the Pacific Views Event Center’s Memorial Garden here, Aug. 9. The Dawgs Project, a company dedicated to military working dog handlers of all services, unveiled the memorial to commemorate K-9 handling service members.

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Laura Delpena, an event volunteer, and Kaylee, 7, enjoy time in the ocean during the Exceptional Family Member Program beach event at Del Mar Beach, Aug. 2-3. The Best Day Foundation Orange County Chapter hosted the event for special needs children that are enrolled in the EFMP. The event provided activities such as surfing, body boarding, kayaking and more. “For families like us, we don’t have a lot of opportunities for our kids to experience what the normal family might,” said Jolanda Graham, parent and volunteer EFMP family representative Involved parents such as Graham also appreciate experienced volunteers who make these activities safe and possible. - CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Laura Delpena, an event volunteer, and Kaylee, 7, enjoy time in the ocean during the Exceptional Family Member Program beach event at Del Mar Beach, Aug. 2-3. The Best Day Foundation Orange County Chapter hosted the event for special needs children that are enrolled in the EFMP. The event provided activities such as surfing, body boarding, kayaking and more. “For families like us, we don’t have a lot of opportunities for our kids to experience what the normal family might,” said Jolanda Graham, parent and volunteer EFMP family representative Involved parents such as Graham also appreciate experienced volunteers who make these activities safe and possible.

The Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families is playing Thursday, July 31 and Friday, August 1 at the base theater for military ID holders and their guests. This year marks the tours fourth year visiting military installations in the U.S. and abroad. “The Sesame Street/USO tour was created 6 years ago and we couldn’t be more proud of all the moments we have had at home and abroad. As we celebrate the kick-off of our latest installment and venture out to visit, entertain and uplift even more military families this year,” said John I. Pray, Jr. USO President and CEO. “We are grateful to our family at Sesame Street who not only understand the unique challenges today’s military families face but also share our commitment to supporting them every step of the way.” - The Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families is playing Thursday, July 31 and Friday, August 1 at the base theater for military ID holders and their guests. This year marks the tours fourth year visiting military installations in the U.S. and abroad. “The Sesame Street/USO tour was created 6 years ago and we couldn’t be more proud of all the moments we have had at home and abroad. As we celebrate the kick-off of our latest installment and venture out to visit, entertain and uplift even more military families this year,” said John I. Pray, Jr. USO President and CEO. “We are grateful to our family at Sesame Street who not only understand the unique challenges today’s military families face but also share our commitment to supporting them every step of the way.”