Marines with Satellite Platoon, 8th Communications Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, work with their communication systems during a training exercise here April 18. The exercise simulates Exercise Combined Endeavor, an operation in Germany the battalion is scheduled to take part from April 25 to May 19. - Marines with Satellite Platoon, 8th Communications Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, work with their communication systems during a training exercise here April 18. The exercise simulates Exercise Combined Endeavor, an operation in Germany the battalion is scheduled to take part from April 25 to May 19.

Marines with the Marine Corps Security Force Battalion Shooting Team practice at Dam Neck Range for the 2008 Marine Corps Eastern Division Rifle and Pistol Championship Matches. The team trained intensely for an entire month before competing. - Marines with the Marine Corps Security Force Battalion Shooting Team practice at Dam Neck Range for the 2008 Marine Corps Eastern Division Rifle and Pistol Championship Matches. The team trained intensely for an entire month before competing.

A class of officers from the basic course at Communication Officers School in Quantico, Va., walk around an 8th Communications Battalion training exercise site here April 18. Before graduating, the officers are afforded the opportunity to see communications units in action. - A class of officers from the basic course at Communication Officers School in Quantico, Va., walk around an 8th Communications Battalion training exercise site here April 18. Before graduating, the officers are afforded the opportunity to see communications units in action.

Lt. Cmdr. Jean Murray, a nurse corps officer with Headquarters and Service Company, Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, II Marine Expeditionary Force, treats a simulated casualty affected by a nerve agent here March 29. Corpsmen and doctors with CBIRF treat casualties of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive incident, both in the contaminated area and after they are decontaminated. - Lt. Cmdr. Jean Murray, a nurse corps officer with Headquarters and Service Company, Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, II Marine Expeditionary Force, treats a simulated casualty affected by a nerve agent here March 29. Corpsmen and doctors with CBIRF treat casualties of a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or high-yield explosive incident, both in the contaminated area and after they are decontaminated.

Cpl. Joshua Harris (right) and Cpl. Travis Johnson (left), extractors for Company B, Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, II Marine Expeditionary Force, put a neck brace on a simulated casualty involved in a car wreck, caused by a terrorist attack here March 29. The simulated chemical attack sparked several car wrecks, and Marines and sailors were tasked to extract and decontaminate casualties and provide medical care when necessary. - Cpl. Joshua Harris (right) and Cpl. Travis Johnson (left), extractors for Company B, Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, II Marine Expeditionary Force, put a neck brace on a simulated casualty involved in a car wreck, caused by a terrorist attack here March 29. The simulated chemical attack sparked several car wrecks, and Marines and sailors were tasked to extract and decontaminate casualties and provide medical care when necessary.

Sgt. Ivan Trevino (front left), technical rescue technician, Technical Rescue Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, hands a drill to Sgt. Joe L. Martinez (back left), a team leader, to break through a pile of concrete obstructing a path to a simulated casualty. Marines and Navy corpsmen with the Technical Rescue Platoon are able to demonstrate five disciplines, confined space, rope, trench, vehicle extrication, and collapsed structure rescue in personal protective equipment. - Sgt. Ivan Trevino (front left), technical rescue technician, Technical Rescue Platoon, Headquarters and Service Company, Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, hands a drill to Sgt. Joe L. Martinez (back left), a team leader, to break through a pile of concrete obstructing a path to a simulated casualty. Marines and Navy corpsmen with the Technical Rescue Platoon are able to demonstrate five disciplines, confined space, rope, trench, vehicle extrication, and collapsed structure rescue in personal protective equipment.

– Cpl. John P. Kopek (left), an infantryman who served as part of a military transition team in Ramadi, Iraq, meets Petty Officer 1st class Vincent Soto, a corpsman with 2nd Marine Division, at the first ever American Hero of the Year Awards at Sywanyks Scarlet & Gold Traditions nightclub, April 11. Soto and Kopek were two of the five service members selected from all East Coast operational commands. Kopek, 22, was the youngest honoree, and Soto was the only sailor. - – Cpl. John P. Kopek (left), an infantryman who served as part of a military transition team in Ramadi, Iraq, meets Petty Officer 1st class Vincent Soto, a corpsman with 2nd Marine Division, at the first ever American Hero of the Year Awards at Sywanyks Scarlet & Gold Traditions nightclub, April 11. Soto and Kopek were two of the five service members selected from all East Coast operational commands. Kopek, 22, was the youngest honoree, and Soto was the only sailor.

Lance Cpl. Christopher Austin (left), a rifleman with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, and Cpl. Jeffrey Tarpley (right), a scout with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, check their gear here March 26 before rappelling down a 120 foot tower. Rappelling is one of many techniques taught in the Assault Climbers Course. - Lance Cpl. Christopher Austin (left), a rifleman with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, and Cpl. Jeffrey Tarpley (right), a scout with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II MEF, check their gear here March 26 before rappelling down a 120 foot tower. Rappelling is one of many techniques taught in the Assault Climbers Course.

Derrick White, a fullback with the Wolfpack football team, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., and Lance Cpl. Anson Roberts, a wounded warrior with the Wounded Warrior Battalion-East, Wounded Warrior Regiment, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, enjoy dinner together here April 7. - Derrick White, a fullback with the Wolfpack football team, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C., and Lance Cpl. Anson Roberts, a wounded warrior with the Wounded Warrior Battalion-East, Wounded Warrior Regiment, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, enjoy dinner together here April 7.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Pamela Smith climbs up to inspect the engine of a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement here March 17. Smith has worked in Marine Corps motor transport for 31 years and was the first female master gunnery sergeant in the motor transport maintenance field. - Master Gunnery Sgt. Pamela Smith climbs up to inspect the engine of a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement here March 17. Smith has worked in Marine Corps motor transport for 31 years and was the first female master gunnery sergeant in the motor transport maintenance field.