Master Sgt. Damian Cason, Dr. Eve Hall, Maj. Nicole Bastian and Venton Blandin (pictured left to right) pose for a photo at the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Awards Gala in St. Louis, Mo., on July 28, 2017. The theme of this year’s National Urban League National Conference was “Save Our Cities: Education, Jobs and Justice.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jennifer Webster/Released) - Captain Charlyne Delus, a Marine Corps officer from Miami, Fl., shakes hands with Mark H. Morial, the National Urban League president and chief executive officer, at the Chairman’s Leadership Reception at the Marriott St. Louis Grand Hotel in St. Louis, Mo., on July 27, 2016. The theme of this year’s National Urban League National Conference was “Save Our Cities: Education, Jobs and Justice.” (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jennifer Webster/Released)

Chris Escamilla picks up trash with other high school students as part of a community service project at a beach during the 2017 Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy (SLCDA) aboard Quantico, Va., July 21. The SLCDA is a six-day-long program focused on teaching high school students skills critical to future success, such as honor, courage and commitment. Escamilla travelled approximately 7,000 miles overseas from Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan, to Quantico to attend the event, and is a student at Zama American High School. - Chris Escamilla picks up trash with other high school students as part of a community service project at a beach during the 2017 Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy (SLCDA) aboard Quantico, Va., July 21. The SLCDA is a six-day-long program focused on teaching high school students skills critical to future success, such as honor, courage and commitment. Escamilla travelled approximately 7,000 miles overseas from Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan, to Quantico to attend the event, and is a student at Zama American High School.

Private Jonsebastian Andrade, Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, executes a push-up outside of his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. 4. Prior to arriving to recruit training, Andrade was required to lose 60 pounds in order to enlist in the Marine Corps. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Lima Company is scheduled to graduate Oct. 7. - Private Jonsebastian Andrade, Lima Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, executes a push-up outside of his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. 4. Prior to arriving to recruit training, Andrade was required to lose 60 pounds in order to enlist in the Marine Corps. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego. Lima Company is scheduled to graduate Oct. 7.

2nd Lt. Patrick Poorbaugh is pinned to his new rank of second lieutenant by his mother, Kim Grierson, during a commissioning ceremony at the Low Memorial Library Rotunda, Columbia University, New York City, May, 21. Poorbaugh became the first Marine in 40 years to commission from the school. Poorbaugh is a Mackinaw, Ill., native, and graduated with a degree in Political Science from the College of General Studies. - 2nd Lt. Patrick Poorbaugh is pinned to his new rank of second lieutenant by his mother, Kim Grierson, during a commissioning ceremony at the Low Memorial Library Rotunda, Columbia University, New York City, May, 21. Poorbaugh became the first Marine in 40 years to commission from the school. Poorbaugh is a Mackinaw, Ill., native, and graduated with a degree in Political Science from the College of General Studies.

Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Trainers demonstrate self-defense maneuvers during a visit from Educators and Key Leaders Workshop attendees at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 24, 2014. Guests observe different techniques that come with degrees of belts as they become increasingly complex. The Educators and Key Leaders Workshop exposes college professors and community leaders to the myriad career opportunities the Marine Corps offers, specifically geared toward officer commissioning programs. - Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Trainers demonstrate self-defense maneuvers during a visit from Educators and Key Leaders Workshop attendees at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 24, 2014. Guests observe different techniques that come with degrees of belts as they become increasingly complex. The Educators and Key Leaders Workshop exposes college professors and community leaders to the myriad career opportunities the Marine Corps offers, specifically geared toward officer commissioning programs.

Recruiter instructors from across the Southeast attend the 6th Marine Corps District Recruiter Instructor Training Symposium held here April 1-4, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Courtney White/released) - Recruiter instructors from across the Southeast attend the 6th Marine Corps District Recruiter Instructor Training Symposium held here April 1-4, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Courtney White/released)