Stories

Lance Cpl. Bryan Polonia, class participant and a Stamford, Conn., native executes a hip throw on Lance Cpl. Zachary Acevedo, class participant and a Chicago native during Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 26. Morning instructional sessions serve as both an educational platform and an escape from the daily grind for Marines of Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38. - Lance Cpl. Bryan Polonia, class participant and a Stamford, Conn., native executes a hip throw on Lance Cpl. Zachary Acevedo, class participant and a Chicago native during Marine Corps Martial Arts Program training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 26. Morning instructional sessions serve as both an educational platform and an escape from the daily grind for Marines of Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 38.

Wyatt, 3, and Col. John Farnam, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., pose for a photo in the MCAS Miramar Children's Library, April 2, 2013. The "Tell Me a Story" event was part of the "Month of the Military Child." Events are scheduled to continue until the end of April. - Wyatt, 3, and Col. John Farnam, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., pose for a photo in the MCAS Miramar Children's Library, April 2, 2013. The "Tell Me a Story" event was part of the "Month of the Military Child." Events are scheduled to continue until the end of April.

Lance Cpl. Eric Hummitzsch, an assistant coach and Marine Aircraft Group 39 volunteer and Sheboygan, Wis., native, talks to Annie Elkins, a 5-year-old player with the Phillies, as Andrew Appel, another volunteer, watches for a play from the batter during a Temecula Valley Challenger Baseball Program game at Temeku Park in Temecula, Calif., March 16. Marines with the group volunteer their time twice a week to help special needs children enjoy the game of baseball. - Lance Cpl. Eric Hummitzsch, an assistant coach and Marine Aircraft Group 39 volunteer and Sheboygan, Wis., native, talks to Annie Elkins, a 5-year-old player with the Phillies, as Andrew Appel, another volunteer, watches for a play from the batter during a Temecula Valley Challenger Baseball Program game at Temeku Park in Temecula, Calif., March 16. Marines with the group volunteer their time twice a week to help special needs children enjoy the game of baseball.

Maj. Gen. Angela Salinas, the director of Manpower Management Division, Headquarters Marine Corps, speaks to officers and staff noncommissioned officers here, March 18. Salinas discussed the many changes the Marine Corps is going through and told them what's really going on behind the scenes and why changes are being made. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Sarah F. Johnson, Released) - Maj. Gen. Angela Salinas, the director of Manpower Management Division, Headquarters Marine Corps, speaks to officers and staff noncommissioned officers here, March 18. Salinas discussed the many changes the Marine Corps is going through and told them what's really going on behind the scenes and why changes are being made. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Sarah F. Johnson, Released)

Graduates and instructors with the Lifestyles, Insight, Networking, Knowledge and Skills course pose for a group photo at the Education Center aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 20. The two-day course offers an orientation to the Marine Corps lifestyle at all levels, helping families to adapt to challenges military life presents. - Graduates and instructors with the Lifestyles, Insight, Networking, Knowledge and Skills course pose for a group photo at the Education Center aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 20. The two-day course offers an orientation to the Marine Corps lifestyle at all levels, helping families to adapt to challenges military life presents.

A CH-53E Super Stallion cools down at a forward area refueling point as MV-22 Ospreys fly in the distance during Operation Desert Tantrum outside of El Centro, Calif., March, 14. Marine Aircraft Group 16 brought together 27 aircraft in support of this training exercise to provide the most realistic training possible to prepare for future use in combat. - A CH-53E Super Stallion cools down at a forward area refueling point as MV-22 Ospreys fly in the distance during Operation Desert Tantrum outside of El Centro, Calif., March, 14. Marine Aircraft Group 16 brought together 27 aircraft in support of this training exercise to provide the most realistic training possible to prepare for future use in combat.

Sgt. Maj. Bonnie L. Skinner, the sergeant major of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and a Quincy, Mass., native, puts on her combat wings on her service alpha uniform in her office aboard MCAS Miramar, Calif., March 15. Skinner has earned more than 19 medals in her 27 years of service. - Sgt. Maj. Bonnie L. Skinner, the sergeant major of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and a Quincy, Mass., native, puts on her combat wings on her service alpha uniform in her office aboard MCAS Miramar, Calif., March 15. Skinner has earned more than 19 medals in her 27 years of service.

Members of the West Coast Marine Executive Forum take a closer look at an F/A-18 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 7. The forum established working relationships between Marines and senior leaders from Seattle in conjunction with Marine Week Seattle, slated for Aug. 5-11. - Members of the West Coast Marine Executive Forum take a closer look at an F/A-18 aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 7. The forum established working relationships between Marines and senior leaders from Seattle in conjunction with Marine Week Seattle, slated for Aug. 5-11.

Marines with the Silent Drill Platoon perform during a Battle Colors Ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 14. With a reputation of perfection throughout the world, the silent drill platoon reminds onlookers of the proud esprit de Corps found in Marines serving all around the globe. - Marines with the Silent Drill Platoon perform during a Battle Colors Ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 14. With a reputation of perfection throughout the world, the silent drill platoon reminds onlookers of the proud esprit de Corps found in Marines serving all around the globe.

Subway gave away 500 free submarine sandwiches to Marines to celebrate the re-opening of the flight line food court aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 8. Subway was one of three new food choices that were put into the food court during the renovations. - Subway gave away 500 free submarine sandwiches to Marines to celebrate the re-opening of the flight line food court aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 8. Subway was one of three new food choices that were put into the food court during the renovations.