Stories

Staff Sgt. Joseph Colby, left, and Capt. Jeffrey Newman recognize Jasmin Grewal, center, a senior at Royal High School in Simi Valley, Calif., for accepting the selective U.S. Marine Corps Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship during a presentation at the high school, March 24, 2016. Grewal, won the scholarship based on her commitment in and out of the classroom, to the community, leadership abilities, and physical fitness, and plans to attend Yale University. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Alicia R. Leaders/Released) - Staff Sgt. Joseph Colby, left, and Capt. Jeffrey Newman recognize Jasmin Grewal, center, a senior at Royal High School in Simi Valley, Calif., for accepting the selective U.S. Marine Corps Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship during a presentation at the high school, March 24, 2016. Grewal, won the scholarship based on her commitment in and out of the classroom, to the community, leadership abilities, and physical fitness, and plans to attend Yale University. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Alicia R. Leaders/Released)

Educators with Recruiting Station Harrisburg prepare to descend on the repel tower during the Educators’ Workshop, at Recruit Training Depot Parris Island, March 10, 2016. The repel tower is one of many challenges recruits must overcome before earning the title of Marine. - Educators with Recruiting Station Harrisburg prepare to descend on the repel tower during the Educators’ Workshop, at Recruit Training Depot Parris Island, March 10, 2016. The repel tower is one of many challenges recruits must overcome before earning the title of Marine.

(Left) Pfc. Brandon Willibey, an aviation ordnance technician student and this brother Pfc. Justin Willibey, a military policeman student, Springville, N.Y., natives graduated from Recruit Training with Platoon 1077, Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Sept. 18, 2015. Their boot camp photos rest on a Transformation Board in Marine Corps Recruiting Substation West Seneca’s office, serving as a reminder to all, that becoming a Marine changes the mind, body and spirit. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher O’Quin/Released) - (Left) Pfc. Brandon Willibey, an aviation ordnance technician student and this brother Pfc. Justin Willibey, a military policeman student, Springville, N.Y., natives graduated from Recruit Training with Platoon 1077, Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Sept. 18, 2015. Their boot camp photos rest on a Transformation Board in Marine Corps Recruiting Substation West Seneca’s office, serving as a reminder to all, that becoming a Marine changes the mind, body and spirit. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher O’Quin/Released)

Sgt. Jesus Orozco, the Enhanced Area Canvasing chief with the 12th Marine Corps District in San Diego, Calif., fires his M9 service pistol during the “Gunner’s Match” at the Depot Competition-In-Arms Program aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 11, 2016. The DCIAP is a 10-day-long intramural shooting competition that serves as the initial stage of identifying Marines and sailors with the skills and desire to be part of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot’s shooting team. - Sgt. Jesus Orozco, the Enhanced Area Canvasing chief with the 12th Marine Corps District in San Diego, Calif., fires his M9 service pistol during the “Gunner’s Match” at the Depot Competition-In-Arms Program aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 11, 2016. The DCIAP is a 10-day-long intramural shooting competition that serves as the initial stage of identifying Marines and sailors with the skills and desire to be part of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot’s shooting team.

Sgt. DeMonte R. Cheeley stands for a photo after receiving the Purple Heart medal Jan. 26, 2016, at a ceremony in Chattanooga, Tenn. Cheeley received the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained during a July 16, 2015 attack in Chattanooga at the Armed Forces Career Center where he works. An investigation conducted by the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service determined the attack had been inspired by a foreign terrorist group making Cheeley eligible for the Purple Heart. Cheeley is a Marine recruiter with Recruiting Substation Chattanooga, Recruiting Station Nashville, Tenn. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Diamond N. Peden/Released) - Sgt. DeMonte R. Cheeley stands for a photo after receiving the Purple Heart medal Jan. 26, 2016, at a ceremony in Chattanooga, Tenn. Cheeley received the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained during a July 16, 2015 attack in Chattanooga at the Armed Forces Career Center where he works. An investigation conducted by the FBI and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service determined the attack had been inspired by a foreign terrorist group making Cheeley eligible for the Purple Heart. Cheeley is a Marine recruiter with Recruiting Substation Chattanooga, Recruiting Station Nashville, Tenn. (Official Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Diamond N. Peden/Released)

Sergeant Thomas Adams starts a face-off with a member of the Sanford, Maine, police department hockey team during The Maine Event, Battle on Ice hockey tournament, Jan. 15. Adams is one of 15 Marines who came together from across the country to play in the tournament. This is the first time the team has played together and is aiming to create a Marine Corps-recognized All-Marine Ice Hockey Team. Adams is a satellite communications operator with the 3rd Marine Regiment. - Sergeant Thomas Adams starts a face-off with a member of the Sanford, Maine, police department hockey team during The Maine Event, Battle on Ice hockey tournament, Jan. 15. Adams is one of 15 Marines who came together from across the country to play in the tournament. This is the first time the team has played together and is aiming to create a Marine Corps-recognized All-Marine Ice Hockey Team. Adams is a satellite communications operator with the 3rd Marine Regiment.

Sergeant Weldon Housley, center, and Staff Sergeant Edwin Salvatierra, right, present a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship check to Jack Beguelin at Buena High School in Ventura, Calif., Jan. 15, 2016. The NROTC scholarship, valued at up to $180,000, will pay for the cost of full tuition, books and other educational fees at many of the country’s leading colleges and universities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Alicia R. Leaders/Released) - Sergeant Weldon Housley, center, and Staff Sergeant Edwin Salvatierra, right, present a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarship check to Jack Beguelin at Buena High School in Ventura, Calif., Jan. 15, 2016. The NROTC scholarship, valued at up to $180,000, will pay for the cost of full tuition, books and other educational fees at many of the country’s leading colleges and universities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Alicia R. Leaders/Released)

A.J. Taylor, an athlete from Rockhurst High School, Kansas City, Mo., runs the football during the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl at the Stubhub Center, Carson, Calif., Jan. 3, 2016. High school athletes chosen to play in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl are well-rounded individuals on and off the field who not only are distinguished athletes, but also have academic achievements and display exemplary moral character. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rebecca Eller) - A.J. Taylor, an athlete from Rockhurst High School, Kansas City, Mo., runs the football during the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl at the Stubhub Center, Carson, Calif., Jan. 3, 2016. High school athletes chosen to play in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl are well-rounded individuals on and off the field who not only are distinguished athletes, but also have academic achievements and display exemplary moral character. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rebecca Eller)

As a proud father of a daughter and a husband to a great wife, there is one man who would like to say that football is not the definition of who he is, but a part of who he is. - As a proud father of a daughter and a husband to a great wife, there is one man who would like to say that football is not the definition of who he is, but a part of who he is.

Toleafoa Sean Auwae, offensive guard from Kapolei High School, Kapolei, Hawaii, runs through agility drills during practice at Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, Calif., Dec. 30, 2015. High school athletes chosen to play in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl are well-rounded individuals on and off the field who not only are distinguished athletes, but also have academic achievements and display exemplary moral characteristics. “I’m hoping to bring aloha, be friendly with everyone and ask how they’re doing,” said Toleafoa Sean Auwae. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rebecca Eller) - Toleafoa Sean Auwae, offensive guard from Kapolei High School, Kapolei, Hawaii, runs through agility drills during practice at Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, Calif., Dec. 30, 2015. High school athletes chosen to play in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl are well-rounded individuals on and off the field who not only are distinguished athletes, but also have academic achievements and display exemplary moral characteristics. “I’m hoping to bring aloha, be friendly with everyone and ask how they’re doing,” said Toleafoa Sean Auwae. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Rebecca Eller)