Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. During the holiday season, enjoy your time off, be safe, protect what you've earned, and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year! (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Gumchol Cho and Cpl. Margaret Gale)

There is no better time to express our appreciation than during the holiday season for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. The surrounding San Diego community gathered for Miramar National Cemetery’s annual Wreaths Across America ceremony to give their support to friends and family who have lost loved ones.

Whether deployed overseas or stationed here at home, as Marines not many of us are able to go home to see our family during the holidays. So from our family to yours, we wish you a happy New Year! (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Christian J. Lopez)

Pfc. William Griswold and his father Sgt. Bryan Griswold, a K-9 police officer in Aiken, SC, have always been family. Now they share a deeper bond. Here is their story. (Nov. 18, 2019, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C.) (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Cpl. Shane Manson)

Sgt. Maj. Paul McElearney, the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point sergeant major, sits down with the School Liaison Program subject matter expert, Leafa Palmer, to answer questions that have been submitted about the program. Stay tuned for our next video with the New Parent Support Group. Drop any questions you have below or email them to us at chptmarinefamily@usmc-mccs.org.

On this episode of Real Quick, learn more about the Spouse Transition and Readiness Seminars, the Manpower Management Enlisted Assignments command visits and family friendly events at Tarawa Terrace.

The Joint Reception Center (JRC) is a program for single, unaccompanied, E-5 and below Marines and green-side Sailors arriving to Okinawa. The Joint Reception Center (JRC) is established within Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, from organic assets and augmented with personnel assigned to the Fleet Assistance Program (FAP) from III Marine Expeditionary Force commands. The JRC's mission is to receive and provide an efficient and effective means of transportation, in-processing, orientation, and billeting during the indoctrination period. The JRC provides administrative and logistical support for all Marines and Sailors who are assigned to Marine Corps Commands on Okinawa. JRC Troop Handler Sgt. Jared Lucke is from Cincinnati, Ohio. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Kameron Herndon, Lance Cpl. Nicoklas Beamish, Lance Cpl. Brennan Beauton and Staff Sgt. Lucas Vega)

Colonels Curtis and Amy Ebitz are both scheduled to assumed command of units near each other July 19, 2019. Col. Amy Ebitz is scheduled to take command of Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations East – Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune at 10 A.M and Col. Curtis Ebitz is scheduled to assume command of Marine Corps Air Station New River at 2 P.M. Both colonels will attend each other’s change of command along their two children. Curtis, a Marine aviator, and Amy, a law enforcement officer, met in 2001 as Captains attending Amphibious Warfare School at Marine Corps Base Quantico and were later married there in October of 2003. During their first four years of marriage, they spent nearly two of them apart, managing multiple deployments to Iraq, Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments and other operational commitments. As each progressed during their careers, more challenges awaited. During a three-year tour in Okinawa, both assumed Lt. Col. command (squadron and battalion) based there – he commanded Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron One (MWHS-1) with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing in 2013-2015, while she commanded the 3d Law Enforcement Battalion for III Marine Expeditionary Force from 2012 - 2014. Both are coming to Eastern North Carolina after recent assignments in Washington D.C. Amy just concluded a tour as a Senior Commandant of the Marine Corps Fellow at the Brookings Institution, while Curtis served as the Aviation Plans, Programs, and Budget (APP-1) Branch Head at Headquarters Marine Corps. Both colonels have previously completed multiple tours of duty in this area. Curtis was assigned to HMM-162 at New River in 1997 as a CH-46E pilot, deploying twice with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. Later in 2004, he returned to MCAS New River and served with Marine Aircraft Group-29 during Operation Iraqi Freedom and with HMM-264, MAG-26, deploying with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Amy served as the commanding officer of Fox Company, School of Infantry East, Marine Combat Training Battalion in 1999, and was a company commander and an executive officer with 2d Military Police Battalion, 2d Marine Logistics Group at Camp Lejeune in 2004. When asked how they have made it work for the past 16 years, Curtis said, “It’s what we like to call balanced excellence—finding the right balance between personal and professional life. Additionally, it’s been nice to have a sounding board for work-related issues and knowing when to separate work from family.”

Marines and families with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18 participate in a change of command ceremony at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, June 21, 2019. 1st MAW operates throughout the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility, supporting numerous operations, exercises and humanitarian aid missions. The change of command ceremony represents the transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from Lt. Col. Thomas E. Richards to the incoming commanding officer Lt. Col. Kwabena M. Gyimah. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Ryan Persinger)

Participants learn and practice the art of Japanese calligraphy at the Marine and Family Programs building on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, June 10, 2019. This program helps service members and their dependents create a connection to Japanese culture. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by Lance Cpl. Sarah Marshall)

A dual-military family, Marine Gunnery Sgt. Gizelle Katchka and Staff Sgt. Kyle Katchka and their two daughters have faced hardships typical military families don't: having both parents deploying at the same time and leaving their children behind. The Katchka's are now stationed aboard Quantico and not expecting to deploy simultaneously again. Gizelle is the logistics director for the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, and Kyle is the Funeral Director at Marine Barracks Washington, District of Columbia.

Since meeting in 6th grade, the now Sgt. William Todd and Dr. Molly Todd, have been best friends. Over the years the pair have worked together to overcome the multitude of challenges associated with military relationships as William Todd progressed through his Marine career and Dr. Molly Todd progressed through college, medical school and began her career. Today William told serves as the station commander of Sub Station Anderson while Dr. Molly Todd continues her practice at ATI Physical Therapy in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

As we head into summer, Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point share a few tips to stay safe on the beach this year. If you have tips, add them in the comments below to spread knowledge and aid in keeping others safe this summer. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Cody Shepard and Sgt. Cody Lemons)

U.S. service members participate in Innovative Readiness Training at Ponce, Puerto Rico, April 28, 2019. From April 28- May 5, 2019, 4th Dental Battalion, 4th Marine Logistic Group, Marine Forces Reserve is participating in the IRT Puerto Rico 2019 in order to restore military readiness while strengthening alliances with community partners. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Faeth Webb)

Video created to inform Marines about bring your child to work day on April 18, 2019.