Stories

Sgt. Maj. Adnan Balawnah, the sergeant major of the Jordanian army, asks a question during a tour of the School of Infantry East aboard Camp Geiger, N.C., Dec. 5, 2011. During the tour, senior enlisted leaders from the Jordanian military were walked through classes and demonstrations regularly taught at Infantry Training Battalion, SOI East. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado) - Sgt. Maj. Adnan Balawnah, the sergeant major of the Jordanian army, asks a question during a tour of the School of Infantry East aboard Camp Geiger, N.C., Dec. 5, 2011. During the tour, senior enlisted leaders from the Jordanian military were walked through classes and demonstrations regularly taught at Infantry Training Battalion, SOI East. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado)

Sailors with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group listen as Sgt. Maj. Herbert W. Wrench, the 2nd MLG sergeant major, conducts a period of military education at the 2nd MLG Chaplain Center aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 30, 2011. During the PME, sailors with the various religious ministry teams across the unit learned the Marine Corps leadership traits and principles. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado) - Sailors with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group listen as Sgt. Maj. Herbert W. Wrench, the 2nd MLG sergeant major, conducts a period of military education at the 2nd MLG Chaplain Center aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 30, 2011. During the PME, sailors with the various religious ministry teams across the unit learned the Marine Corps leadership traits and principles. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado)

Little more than two months ago, the region through which Route 611 traced north through Helmand province was a dangerous one, at best, and saw little commercial activity. As seen through the windshield of a "7-ton" Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement truck, Nov. 22, near-ghost towns are teeming with life once again as a result of Operation Eastern Storm. The major offensive, led by the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, aimed to drive the Taliban-led insurgency from the region, while also reestablishing a sense of order among the local populace. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski) - Little more than two months ago, the region through which Route 611 traced north through Helmand province was a dangerous one, at best, and saw little commercial activity. As seen through the windshield of a "7-ton" Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement truck, Nov. 22, near-ghost towns are teeming with life once again as a result of Operation Eastern Storm. The major offensive, led by the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, aimed to drive the Taliban-led insurgency from the region, while also reestablishing a sense of order among the local populace. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin J. Shemanski)

A construction vehicle belonging to Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), stands parked aboard Forward Operating Base Geronimo, Afghanistan, in the early morning hours of Nov. 22. The Marines with CLB-1 are currently building Route Victoria in Helmand province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Katherine M. Solano) - A construction vehicle belonging to Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), stands parked aboard Forward Operating Base Geronimo, Afghanistan, in the early morning hours of Nov. 22. The Marines with CLB-1 are currently building Route Victoria in Helmand province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Katherine M. Solano)

Marines with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group unload their all terrain vehicles before the off-road quarterly ride at Busco Beach in Goldsboro, N.C., November 18, 2011. The intent of the training was to facilitate off-road training for Marines and sailors with the 2nd MLG. The training was given by more experienced riders who possessed the knowledge junior riders could benefit from. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by. Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado) - Marines with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group unload their all terrain vehicles before the off-road quarterly ride at Busco Beach in Goldsboro, N.C., November 18, 2011. The intent of the training was to facilitate off-road training for Marines and sailors with the 2nd MLG. The training was given by more experienced riders who possessed the knowledge junior riders could benefit from. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by. Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado)

The entrance to the new postal facility aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, is adorned with a sign dedicating it to Lance Cpl. Tavon L. Hubbard, who was killed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. More than 10,000 pounds of mail is sorted and delivered at the facility on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Katherine M. Solano) - The entrance to the new postal facility aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, is adorned with a sign dedicating it to Lance Cpl. Tavon L. Hubbard, who was killed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. More than 10,000 pounds of mail is sorted and delivered at the facility on a daily basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Katherine M. Solano)

Cpl. Daniel Botero, a combat engineer with the Combat Logistics Battalion 1 Embedded Partnering Team, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), kicks a soccer ball around Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, with the EPT's Afghan National Army Counterparts, Nov. 16. Botero was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, but thanks to chemotherapy and two surgeries, he has been in remission since October 2010. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Katherine M. Solano) - Cpl. Daniel Botero, a combat engineer with the Combat Logistics Battalion 1 Embedded Partnering Team, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), kicks a soccer ball around Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, with the EPT's Afghan National Army Counterparts, Nov. 16. Botero was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, but thanks to chemotherapy and two surgeries, he has been in remission since October 2010. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Katherine M. Solano)

Sgt. Jennifer Chitwood, an administration specialist with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), raises her right hand as she states her re-enlistment oath aboard an aircraft above Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 27. Chitwood decided to re-enlist with the intention of becoming a drill instructor. (Courtesy Photo) - Sgt. Jennifer Chitwood, an administration specialist with Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), raises her right hand as she states her re-enlistment oath aboard an aircraft above Helmand province, Afghanistan, Oct. 27. Chitwood decided to re-enlist with the intention of becoming a drill instructor. (Courtesy Photo)

The Marines with the Combat Logistics Battalion 1 Embedded Partnering Team, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), stand outside of their compound entrance aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Nov. 12. The team works with their Afghan National Army counterparts to train and advise them on various operational and tactical procedures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Katherine M. Solano) - The Marines with the Combat Logistics Battalion 1 Embedded Partnering Team, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), stand outside of their compound entrance aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Nov. 12. The team works with their Afghan National Army counterparts to train and advise them on various operational and tactical procedures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Katherine M. Solano)

Marines stand in line to get food at Mess Hall 521 during a Marine Corps’ birthday celebration lunch aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 8, 2011. During the event food service Marines prepared steak and lobster, as well as a cake for everyone attending the lunch. (Photo by Cpl. Bruno J. Bego) - Marines stand in line to get food at Mess Hall 521 during a Marine Corps’ birthday celebration lunch aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Nov. 8, 2011. During the event food service Marines prepared steak and lobster, as well as a cake for everyone attending the lunch. (Photo by Cpl. Bruno J. Bego)