Stories

Sgt. Sergio Zacarias Jr., combat instructor, Alpha Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry, was the first responder on the scene of a baby girl drowning in base housing where he lives, June 20. Zacarias took immediate action and assisted in administering CPR, an act which slowly but surely brought the baby back to life. - Sgt. Sergio Zacarias Jr., combat instructor, Alpha Company, Infantry Training Battalion, School of Infantry, was the first responder on the scene of a baby girl drowning in base housing where he lives, June 20. Zacarias took immediate action and assisted in administering CPR, an act which slowly but surely brought the baby back to life.

(Left to right) Debbie McCain, daughter of Jinx McCain accepts a plaque for her hard work and dedication for making the Jinx McCain Warrior Riding Program possible from Lt. Col. Scott D. Leonard, commanding officer, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, McCain’s former unit and Karen Gunther, president and founder of Semper Fi Fund during a dedication ceremony held at the Camp Pendleton’s Stepp Stables, June 22. - (Left to right) Debbie McCain, daughter of Jinx McCain accepts a plaque for her hard work and dedication for making the Jinx McCain Warrior Riding Program possible from Lt. Col. Scott D. Leonard, commanding officer, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, McCain’s former unit and Karen Gunther, president and founder of Semper Fi Fund during a dedication ceremony held at the Camp Pendleton’s Stepp Stables, June 22.

Six-year old Emily Coy kicks underwater anxiously as she waits her turn to swim to her instructor at the 13-area pool, June 21. Marine Corps Community Services offers the "Learn to Swim" program to children at installations worldwide to instill water-survival skills at a young age. The class costs $30 per two-week session per child. - Six-year old Emily Coy kicks underwater anxiously as she waits her turn to swim to her instructor at the 13-area pool, June 21. Marine Corps Community Services offers the "Learn to Swim" program to children at installations worldwide to instill water-survival skills at a young age. The class costs $30 per two-week session per child.

Sgt. Daniel Arcand, founder of American Spartan Inc., walks proudly with the nation’s flag, as he leads five other Marines during the last leg of his non-profit organization’s first event called the “Spartan Hike”, March 7 in San Clemente, Calif. For more information about the organization visit americanspartaninc.com. - Sgt. Daniel Arcand, founder of American Spartan Inc., walks proudly with the nation’s flag, as he leads five other Marines during the last leg of his non-profit organization’s first event called the “Spartan Hike”, March 7 in San Clemente, Calif. For more information about the organization visit americanspartaninc.com.

A Camp Pendleton Marine enters Counseling Services in building 1172, June 20. June marks the base's third annual "Combat Operation Stress Awareness Month," a time to educate combat veterans and their families on the warning signs of combat stress and offer them different tools available in their time of need. - A Camp Pendleton Marine enters Counseling Services in building 1172, June 20. June marks the base's third annual "Combat Operation Stress Awareness Month," a time to educate combat veterans and their families on the warning signs of combat stress and offer them different tools available in their time of need.

Competitors dive in a mud pit headfirst at the Camp Pendleton Mud Run and Filthy Fun Fest, June 11. Racers came from all over the world to complete a 10K run through tunnels, over walls, through a combat town and across a lake as part of Semper Fit's Hard Corps Race Series. - Competitors dive in a mud pit headfirst at the Camp Pendleton Mud Run and Filthy Fun Fest, June 11. Racers came from all over the world to complete a 10K run through tunnels, over walls, through a combat town and across a lake as part of Semper Fit's Hard Corps Race Series.

Marines and sailors from the Camp Pendleton Ghostriders Rugby Football Club square down against the 7th Parachute Royal Horse Artillery Rugby Team in a "scrum" at the 11-area football field, June 8. The British Army soliders took a post-Afghanistan-tour along the California coast to strengthen the bond between the two nations. - Marines and sailors from the Camp Pendleton Ghostriders Rugby Football Club square down against the 7th Parachute Royal Horse Artillery Rugby Team in a "scrum" at the 11-area football field, June 8. The British Army soliders took a post-Afghanistan-tour along the California coast to strengthen the bond between the two nations.

Ray Chavez, a firefighter with the US Forest Service, ignites a fire aboard Camp Pendleton during Fire School June 9. Chavez, along with several other firefighters from multiple different fire services are participating in the two-week, live-fire training, which gives them the opportunity to experience real world scenarios in a more controlled environment. - Ray Chavez, a firefighter with the US Forest Service, ignites a fire aboard Camp Pendleton during Fire School June 9. Chavez, along with several other firefighters from multiple different fire services are participating in the two-week, live-fire training, which gives them the opportunity to experience real world scenarios in a more controlled environment.

Capt. Rebecca Wilkinson, director of food services, MCB Camp Pendleton, proudly displays her two first-place medals at the USA National Racquetball Tournament, May 29. Wilkinson took home the gold in both the Women's A Division and the 35+ Women's Division brackett. - Capt. Rebecca Wilkinson, director of food services, MCB Camp Pendleton, proudly displays her two first-place medals at the USA National Racquetball Tournament, May 29. Wilkinson took home the gold in both the Women's A Division and the 35+ Women's Division brackett.

1st Lt. Justin Griffis, air support controller, Marine Air Support Squadron - 3 and student of Semper Fit's Combat Conditioning course, executes a squat-jump exercise during the two-day class, May 25. The comprehensive course taught command representatives how to create physical fitness training regimens for Marines back at their respective units. - 1st Lt. Justin Griffis, air support controller, Marine Air Support Squadron - 3 and student of Semper Fit's Combat Conditioning course, executes a squat-jump exercise during the two-day class, May 25. The comprehensive course taught command representatives how to create physical fitness training regimens for Marines back at their respective units.

John Caputo, executive senior partner, Lucas Group, speaks to a room full of officers with less that 20 years active-duty service as part of the Officers Under Twenty separation seminar. The program does not fulfill the mandatory Transition Assistance Program attendance requirement, but officers do learn what to expect from corporate America, their marketing availability and hot and cold job industries suited toward their college degree. - John Caputo, executive senior partner, Lucas Group, speaks to a room full of officers with less that 20 years active-duty service as part of the Officers Under Twenty separation seminar. The program does not fulfill the mandatory Transition Assistance Program attendance requirement, but officers do learn what to expect from corporate America, their marketing availability and hot and cold job industries suited toward their college degree.

The late James McGruder and his wife Pat McGruder enjoy the annual Iwo Jima Commemorative Committee banquet. The committee brings Iwo Jima combat veterans and their families together four to five times a year to honor past battles. After her husband’s death in 2005, Pat sought to respect his memory and continue to act as secretary at committee functions. Pat was the first woman to ever serve on the committee before she passed away this year. - The late James McGruder and his wife Pat McGruder enjoy the annual Iwo Jima Commemorative Committee banquet. The committee brings Iwo Jima combat veterans and their families together four to five times a year to honor past battles. After her husband’s death in 2005, Pat sought to respect his memory and continue to act as secretary at committee functions. Pat was the first woman to ever serve on the committee before she passed away this year.