Stories

Master Sergeant Damian Cason, the Marine Corps Recruiting Command Engagement Chief, poses for a photo with Bree Sison from WBRC Fox 6 News during the Magic City Classic (MCC) McDonald’s parade in Birmingham, Alabama, Oct. 28, 2017. The MCC is a long-standing rivalry between the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs and Alabama State University Hornets, is played at Legion Field in Birmingham, and is the highest attended Division I Football Championship Subdivision game in the nation. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Krista James) - Master Sergeant Damian Cason, the Marine Corps Recruiting Command Engagement Chief, poses for a photo with Bree Sison from WBRC Fox 6 News during the Magic City Classic (MCC) McDonald’s parade in Birmingham, Alabama, Oct. 28, 2017. The MCC is a long-standing rivalry between the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs and Alabama State University Hornets, is played at Legion Field in Birmingham, and is the highest attended Division I Football Championship Subdivision game in the nation. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Krista James)

Texas Southern University students participate in the Battles Won Challenge at TSU in Houston, TX, Oct. 3. The Battles Won Challenge is an aptitude course presented by the United States Marine Corps and is an immersive challenge designed to test participant’s mental and physical fitness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Courtney G. White/Released) - Texas Southern University students participate in the Battles Won Challenge at TSU in Houston, TX, Oct. 3. The Battles Won Challenge is an aptitude course presented by the United States Marine Corps and is an immersive challenge designed to test participant’s mental and physical fitness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Courtney G. White/Released)

Colonel David Fallon, the 9th Marine Corps District commanding officer, speaks with wrestling coaches during the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Leadership Academy at Shawnee High School, Oct. 19. Fallon spoke to coaches about traits Marines and wrestlers share that make them stand out in society. (Official U.S. Marine photo by Sgt. Marcela Diazdeleon) - Colonel David Fallon, the 9th Marine Corps District commanding officer, speaks with wrestling coaches during the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Leadership Academy at Shawnee High School, Oct. 19. Fallon spoke to coaches about traits Marines and wrestlers share that make them stand out in society. (Official U.S. Marine photo by Sgt. Marcela Diazdeleon)

Col. Ahmed T. Williamson, commanding officer of Officer Candidates School, presents a student with a plaque ackowledging excellence in leadership during the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Leadership Institute and 30th Annual Awards Gala in Washington, Oct. 21- 23, 2017. - Col. Ahmed T. Williamson, commanding officer of Officer Candidates School, presents a student with a plaque ackowledging excellence in leadership during the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Leadership Institute and 30th Annual Awards Gala in Washington, Oct. 21- 23, 2017. The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, founded in 1987 and named after the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, helps fund and support approximately 300,000 students attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), medical schools, and law schools. During the event, Marines led students in morning work-outs, conducted classes regarding leadership and problem solving skills, and attended the organization’s 30th annual award gala.

Colonel David Fallon, the 9th Marine Corps District commanding officer, speaks with wrestling coaches during the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Leadership Academy in Salina, Kan., Oct. 6. Fallon spoke to coaches about the traits between Marines and wrestlers share. In November 2016, the Marine Corps expanded its marketing efforts into the wrestling world to locate and recruit men and women who the Marine Corps believes will be successful in all military occupational specialties. (Official U.S. Marine photo by Sgt. Francisco Martinez) - Colonel David Fallon, the 9th Marine Corps District commanding officer, speaks with wrestling coaches during the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Leadership Academy in Salina, Kan., Oct. 6. Fallon spoke to coaches about the traits between Marines and wrestlers share. In November 2016, the Marine Corps expanded its marketing efforts into the wrestling world to locate and recruit men and women who the Marine Corps believes will be successful in all military occupational specialties. (Official U.S. Marine photo by Sgt. Francisco Martinez)

Marine photojournalists Sgt. John Martinez, Sgt. Bryan Nygaard, Staff Sgt. Alfred Lopez, and Staff Sgt. Alicia Leaders stand inside their photo display at Photoville in Brooklyn, New York, September 21, 2017. Photoville is an annual a photography exhibition hosted under the Brooklyn Bridge in the Dumbo neighborhood. The Marine Corps participated in the exhibition for the first time by showing photography that embodied the Marines’ current brand idea of “Battles Won.” (Photo Courtesy of Cpl. Aaron Patterson) - Marine photojournalists Sgt. John Martinez, Sgt. Bryan Nygaard, Staff Sgt. Alfred Lopez, and Staff Sgt. Alicia Leaders stand inside their photo display at Photoville in Brooklyn, New York, September 21, 2017. Photoville is an annual a photography exhibition hosted under the Brooklyn Bridge in the Dumbo neighborhood. The Marine Corps participated in the exhibition for the first time by showing photography that embodied the Marines’ current brand idea of “Battles Won.” (Photo Courtesy of Cpl. Aaron Patterson)

Retired Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Smith poses at Fire Station Number Six in Irving, Texas, Sept. 14, 2017. Smith was awarded the Navy Cross for his courageous actions in 2004 while serving as a squad leader with Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment, First Marine Division, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Smith currently serves as a lieutenant paramedic with the Irving Fire Department. The Navy Cross is the second highest military decoration that may be awarded to a member of the United States Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, (and to members of the Coast Guard when operating under the authority of the Department of the Navy). It is awarded for extraordinary heroism. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Courtney G. White) - Retired Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Smith poses at Fire Station Number Six in Irving, Texas, Sept. 14, 2017. Smith was awarded the Navy Cross for his courageous actions in 2004 while serving as a squad leader with Company E, Second Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment, First Marine Division, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Smith currently serves as a lieutenant paramedic with the Irving Fire Department. The Navy Cross is the second highest military decoration that may be awarded to a member of the United States Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, (and to members of the Coast Guard when operating under the authority of the Department of the Navy). It is awarded for extraordinary heroism. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Courtney G. White)

Marines with Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) are welcomed by teachers at Pershing High School in Detroit, Sept. 5, 2017. The visit was part of a new initiative called MCRC City Partnerships, which seeks to align the Marine Corps with cities that share the essence of Marines - an irreducible fighting spirit. Scheduled events include High School visits supported by the Silent Drill Platoon, a Community Leaders Reception, a photography competition showcasing Detroit's fighting spirit, youth basketball and wrestling clinics, three on three basketball tournament, a cooking competition featuring an Expeditionary Field Kitchen, and more. MCRC leveraged existing partnerships with USA Wrestling, Women's Basketball Coaches Association and local contacts in the city to create events in celebration of the emerging partnership. Other City Partnerships in development include Baltimore, New Orleans, Chicago, Dallas, and Oakland, California. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. John A. Martinez, Jr.) - Marines with Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) are welcomed by teachers at Pershing High School in Detroit, Sept. 5, 2017. The visit was part of a new initiative called MCRC City Partnerships, which seeks to align the Marine Corps with cities that share the essence of Marines - an irreducible fighting spirit. Scheduled events include High School visits supported by the Silent Drill Platoon, a Community Leaders Reception, a photography competition showcasing Detroit's fighting spirit, youth basketball and wrestling clinics, three on three basketball tournament, a cooking competition featuring an Expeditionary Field Kitchen, and more. MCRC leveraged existing partnerships with USA Wrestling, Women's Basketball Coaches Association and local contacts in the city to create events in celebration of the emerging partnership. Other City Partnerships in development include Baltimore, New Orleans, Chicago, Dallas, and Oakland, California. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. John A. Martinez, Jr.)

Local children participate in a girls (age 12-19) 3 vs 3 basketball tournament in downtown Detroit as part of Marine Week Detroit, Sept. 9, 2017. Marine Week Detroit is a chance to reconnect with our Marines, Sailors veterans and their families from different generations. - Local children participate in a girls (age 12-19) 3 vs 3 basketball tournament in downtown Detroit as part of Marine Week Detroit, Sept. 9, 2017. Marine Week Detroit is a chance to reconnect with our Marines, Sailors veterans and their families from different generations.