Sergeant Maj. Carl Green, outgoing sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Force, salutes the II MEF colors during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Mar. 30. Green has served as the sergeant major of II Marine MEF from July 2009 to Mar. 2012. - Sergeant Maj. Carl Green, outgoing sergeant major of II Marine Expeditionary Force, salutes the II MEF colors during a relief and appointment ceremony at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Mar. 30. Green has served as the sergeant major of II Marine MEF from July 2009 to Mar. 2012.

Matt Ellis, a former Marine sergeant and Lumberton High School graduate, speaks during his Purple Heart ceremony at LHS, March 27, Lumberton, N.C. Ellis, who graduated high school in 2007 before joining the Marine Corps, has since returned to the area and now works as a Deputy Sheriff for Hokes County. - Matt Ellis, a former Marine sergeant and Lumberton High School graduate, speaks during his Purple Heart ceremony at LHS, March 27, Lumberton, N.C. Ellis, who graduated high school in 2007 before joining the Marine Corps, has since returned to the area and now works as a Deputy Sheriff for Hokes County.

Marines with Production and Analysis Support Company, 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, suffer a casualty after a simulated improvised explosive device strike during training at the Counter IED Lane, March 8. The training provided intelligence analysts with an up close and personnel look at life on the ground while deployed, with the intent of giving the participants a better sense of perspective and understanding while interpreting raw intelligence information during their upcoming deployment. - Marines with Production and Analysis Support Company, 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, suffer a casualty after a simulated improvised explosive device strike during training at the Counter IED Lane, March 8. The training provided intelligence analysts with an up close and personnel look at life on the ground while deployed, with the intent of giving the participants a better sense of perspective and understanding while interpreting raw intelligence information during their upcoming deployment.

Sgt. Maj. Allen Tanner, II Marine Headquarters Group sergeant major, speaks to attendees during his retirement ceremony, at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, March 12, 2012. Tanner, who is set to retire later this year, has served on 10 separate deployments, over 30 years of active duty service, during which time he was also a drill instructor, and drill instructor trainer. - Sgt. Maj. Allen Tanner, II Marine Headquarters Group sergeant major, speaks to attendees during his retirement ceremony, at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, March 12, 2012. Tanner, who is set to retire later this year, has served on 10 separate deployments, over 30 years of active duty service, during which time he was also a drill instructor, and drill instructor trainer.