Stories

Marines and students with the Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy pose for a group photo in front of the Lincoln Memorial in the District of Columbia, July 17, 2018. Students accepted into the academy were hand-selected by a board of Marines who look to find attendees with similar character traits as Marines. Inspired by the Marine Corps' third promise of developing quality citizens, the program was designed to challenge and develop the nation's top-performing high school students so they could return to their communities more confident, selfless and better equipped to improve the lives of those around them. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. John A. Martinez Jr.) - Marines and students with the Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy pose for a group photo in front of the Lincoln Memorial in the District of Columbia, July 17, 2018. Students accepted into the academy were hand-selected by a board of Marines who look to find attendees with similar character traits as Marines. Inspired by the Marine Corps' third promise of developing quality citizens, the program was designed to challenge and develop the nation's top-performing high school students so they could return to their communities more confident, selfless and better equipped to improve the lives of those around them. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. John A. Martinez Jr.)

Sgt. Nichole Stoehrer, a marketing and communication Marine at Recruiting Station San Francisco, California, stands in the honor guard to welcome the USA Rugby women’s team onto the pitch during the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, July 20, 2018. This year, the Marine Corps attended the Rugby World Cup Sevens to support their partnership with USA Rugby, as rugby players share the same fighting spirit with Marines. Stoehrer is from Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and to the right of Stoehrer stands Nicole Heavirland, a native of Whitefish, Montana. (US Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Naomi Marcom) - Sgt. Nichole Stoehrer, a marketing and communication Marine at Recruiting Station San Francisco, California, stands in the honor guard to welcome the USA Rugby women’s team onto the pitch during the Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, July 20, 2018. This year, the Marine Corps attended the Rugby World Cup Sevens to support their partnership with USA Rugby, as rugby players share the same fighting spirit with Marines. Stoehrer is from Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and to the right of Stoehrer stands Nicole Heavirland, a native of Whitefish, Montana. (US Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Naomi Marcom)

Marines with Recruiting Station Twin Cities, present the colors during the Marine Corps Cadet/Junior National Wrestling Championships in Fargo, ND, July 15, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Michelle Reif.) - Marines with Recruiting Station Twin Cities, present the colors during the Marine Corps Cadet/Junior National Wrestling Championships in Fargo, ND, July 15, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Michelle Reif.)

Maj. Brian Blaine, a Cleveland, Mississippi, native, salutes the colors during Marine Corps Recruiting Station Des Moines' change of command ceremony at Camp Dodge, in Johnston, Iowa, June 23, 2018. Blaine relinquished command of the “Wolfpack Nation” to Maj. Patrick J. Skehan, an Atlanta, Georgia, native. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Levi Schultz) - Maj. Brian Blaine, a Cleveland, Mississippi, native, salutes the colors during Marine Corps Recruiting Station Des Moines' change of command ceremony at Camp Dodge, in Johnston, Iowa, June 23, 2018. Blaine relinquished command of the “Wolfpack Nation” to Maj. Patrick J. Skehan, an Atlanta, Georgia, native. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Levi Schultz)

Major General James W. Bierman, Jr., commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, addresses the crowd during a change of command ceremony at Warner Hall, Marine Corps Base Quantico, June 7, 2018. The ceremony was held to signify the transfer of command from Maj. Gen. Paul J. Kennedy to Bierman. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. John A. Martinez Jr.) - Major General James W. Bierman, Jr., commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, addresses the crowd during a change of command ceremony at Warner Hall, Marine Corps Base Quantico, June 7, 2018. The ceremony was held to signify the transfer of command from Maj. Gen. Paul J. Kennedy to Bierman. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Staff Sgt. John A. Martinez Jr.)

St. Charles Preparatory school junior Colin Lauber has earned a spot at the Marine Corps Recruiting Command Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy (SLCDA) through his dedication to giving back to his fellow students and his community. Lauber, of Columbus, Ohio, is one of 200 students nationwide selected to attend. (Courtesy photo provided by Colin Lauber) - St. Charles Preparatory school junior Colin Lauber has earned a spot at the Marine Corps Recruiting Command Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy (SLCDA) through his dedication to giving back to his fellow students and his community. Lauber, of Columbus, Ohio, is one of 200 students nationwide selected to attend. (Courtesy photo provided by Colin Lauber)

Haven Primm, a Louis D. Brandeis High School junior, will attend the 2018 Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy taking place at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Primm was selected to attend due to her dedication to community service, scholastic excellence and active athletic and school club participation. - Haven Primm, a Louis D. Brandeis High School junior, will attend the 2018 Summer Leadership and Character Development Academy taking place at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Primm was selected to attend due to her dedication to community service, scholastic excellence and active athletic and school club participation.

U.S. Marines with 8th Marine Corps District pose for a group photo with wrestlers during the district marketing and communications summit at the USA Wrestling Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado on May 8, 2018. The experience served to familiarize the RS MACs with the assets provided through the Marine Corps’ partnership with USA Wrestling, to include access to certain junior and cadet level events, and training camps for local wrestling clubs. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Clarence A. Leake) - U.S. Marines with 8th Marine Corps District pose for a group photo with wrestlers during the district marketing and communications summit at the USA Wrestling Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado on May 8, 2018. The experience served to familiarize the RS MACs with the assets provided through the Marine Corps’ partnership with USA Wrestling, to include access to certain junior and cadet level events, and training camps for local wrestling clubs. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Clarence A. Leake)

Jessica Nelson, a student at Air Academy High School, poses for a photo with Marines from Recruiting Station Denver after receiving her Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarship check during a presentation in Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 1, 2018. Eight residents of Colorado and Wyoming received the NROTC Scholarship this year. - Jessica Nelson, a student at Air Academy High School, poses for a photo with Marines from Recruiting Station Denver after receiving her Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarship check during a presentation in Colorado Springs, Colorado, May 1, 2018. Eight residents of Colorado and Wyoming received the NROTC Scholarship this year.