II Marine Expeditionary Force

Cpl. Gilbert P. Villagrana, a musician with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Marine Band, poses for a photo at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. "Joining the Marine Corps, joining the band was kind of a selfish act. This was for me. But for so long you do it for yourself and then real good performers realize it's not about you. It's about the people and we're always performing for the people,” said Villagrana, an El Paso, Texas native. He was nominated for volunteering over 150 hours for the Drum Corps International ensemble Carolina Crown, commendatory recognition as a trumpet specialist with the Quantico Marine Corps Band at the Virginia International Tattoo, and has been meritoriously promoted to corporal. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ethan Pumphret)

Cpl. Hayden Eichenseer, a field radio operator with 2nd Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, poses for a photo at Camp Lejeune, N.C. “Renowned leaders lift up challenges that arise in front of them over and over again until they become muscle memory,” said Eichenseer, a Trophy Club, Texas native. Eichenseer exemplifies the traits Marine leaders seek from non-commissioned officers. He led a seven Marine detachment as the senior man in support of supply company, maintenance battalion Command Post Exercise 2-19 during a successful training evolution. He also leads his section in physical training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ashley Lawson)

Sgt. Cody Huestis, a meteorology and oceanology Marine with 2nd Intel Battalion, II MEF Information Group, poses for a photo at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 13, 2019. “Leadership is a privilege to better the lives of others. It is not an opportunity to satisfy personal greed,” said Huestis, a Ticonderoga, N.Y. native. Huestis continues daily to find ways not only to better himself, but to help better others within the battalion. His leadership has noted he is almost always the first to say "I will do it." (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. David Delgadillo)

Lance Cpl. Hunter Lemaster, a ground electronics transmissions systems maintainer with 2nd Tanks Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, poses for a photo at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Aug. 21, 2019. "A good leader is able to listen to, and help figure out, the problems of the Marines under your charge as well as guide them in the right direction and teach them the skills you know," said Lemaster, a Cordoba, Ill. native. Lemaster completed limited technical inspections on 14 M1A1 tanks and four high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles, as well as successfully working on millions of dollars-worth of Marine Corps assets in preparation for the upcoming Marine Air-Ground Task Force war-fighting exercise. (Courtesy photo)