Stories

Christopher T. Kaag poses for a photo January 2016 at Corps Fitness in Reading, Pa. Kaag is a leader in his community and uses his drive and personal story to help those in the community overcome their own personal challenges. (Photo courtesy of Christopher T. Kaag/Released) - Christopher T. Kaag poses for a photo January 2016 at Corps Fitness in Reading, Pa. Kaag is a leader in his community and uses his drive and personal story to help those in the community overcome their own personal challenges. (Photo courtesy of Christopher T. Kaag/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.

Marines and coaches stand at attention for a promotion ceremony during their visit to the National Museum of the Marine Corps as part of the 2017 Coaches Workshop, in Dumfries, Va., May 20. Thirty-five coaches travelled from across the U.S. to the Quantico area to learn about the Marine Corps' officer programs, how it vets candidates for Officer Candidates School, trains officers and develops its officer corps. The coaches received certificates for their attendance at the NMMC, which serves as a small token of appreciation for the coaches taking time out of their schedules to come aboard MCB Quantico to learn about the Corps. - Marines and coaches stand at attention for a promotion ceremony during their visit to the National Museum of the Marine Corps as part of the 2017 Coaches Workshop, in Dumfries, Va., May 20. Thirty-five coaches travelled from across the U.S. to the Quantico area to learn about the Marine Corps' officer programs, how it vets candidates for Officer Candidates School, trains officers and develops its officer corps. The coaches received certificates for their attendance at the NMMC, which serves as a small token of appreciation for the coaches taking time out of their schedules to come aboard MCB Quantico to learn about the Corps.

Approximately 50 Officer Selection Officers’ Educators’ and Key Leaders’ Workshop attendees practice patrolling at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 22, 2017. All visitors travelled from the Western Recruiting Region of the United States. The workshop began June 19 and ended June 23. During that time, guests received briefs about officer programs, conducted the Leadership Reaction Course, took flight aboard an MV22 Osprey and experienced many other events. The purpose of the engagement is to create a mutually beneficial relationship between educators and the Corps, where collegiate leaders share what they have learned about the Marines with their students, peers and bosses, based on first-hand experiences. (Photo by Lance Cpl. McHale) - Approximately 50 Officer Selection Officers’ Educators’ and Key Leaders’ Workshop attendees practice patrolling at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., June 22, 2017. All visitors travelled from the Western Recruiting Region of the United States. The workshop began June 19 and ended June 23. During that time, guests received briefs about officer programs, conducted the Leadership Reaction Course, took flight aboard an MV22 Osprey and experienced many other events. The purpose of the engagement is to create a mutually beneficial relationship between educators and the Corps, where collegiate leaders share what they have learned about the Marines with their students, peers and bosses, based on first-hand experiences. (Photo by Lance Cpl. McHale)

Capt. Erin Demchko portrays a convoy commander engaged in a firefight during the filming of "Battle Up," a new commercial published by the Marine Corps Recruiting Command May 12, 2017. "Battle Up," like the other work in the recently-launched campaign, is aimed at the recruitable population and their influencers – parents, teachers, coaches and community leaders. (Courtesy Screen Shot) - Capt. Erin Demchko portrays a convoy commander engaged in a firefight during the filming of "Battle Up," a new commercial published by the Marine Corps Recruiting Command May 12, 2017. "Battle Up," like the other work in the recently-launched campaign, is aimed at the recruitable population and their influencers – parents, teachers, coaches and community leaders. (Courtesy Screen Shot)

U.S. Marine Sgt. Roderick Evans presents Natasha Kusibab an invitation to attend the 2017 Battles Won Academy at Brentwood High School, Brentwood, Tennessee, on May 9, 2017. The Battles Won Academy will bring together 96 of the country’s top student-leaders July 13-17 in Washington D.C. The program provides Marines with several opportunities to purposefully engage the student leaders and share leadership lessons that will enhance their future success. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch) - U.S. Marine Sgt. Roderick Evans presents Natasha Kusibab an invitation to attend the 2017 Battles Won Academy at Brentwood High School, Brentwood, Tennessee, on May 9, 2017. The Battles Won Academy will bring together 96 of the country’s top student-leaders July 13-17 in Washington D.C. The program provides Marines with several opportunities to purposefully engage the student leaders and share leadership lessons that will enhance their future success. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mandaline Hatch)

Marine Corps Sgt. Ramon Harris and Capt. Christopher Cory with 9 Marine Corps District, pose with a student next to the Marine Corps F-35 flight simulator during the 36 Annual Aerospace Conference and Career Fair at the University of North Dakota, April 20, 2017. According to the university’s website, SAMA invites prominent individuals from across the nation and from a variety of disciplines to join the students on campus and share their invaluable perspectives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jennifer Webster/Released) - Marine Corps Sgt. Ramon Harris and Capt. Christopher Cory with 9 Marine Corps District, pose with a student next to the Marine Corps F-35 flight simulator during the 36 Annual Aerospace Conference and Career Fair at the University of North Dakota, April 20, 2017. According to the university’s website, SAMA invites prominent individuals from across the nation and from a variety of disciplines to join the students on campus and share their invaluable perspectives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jennifer Webster/Released)

Candidate Elaine Lewis, president of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority at Virginia Tech, will graduate May 12, 2017, and commission as a Marine Corps second lieutenant May 13, 2017, at the Virginia Tech War Memorial. Lewis, 22, from Stafford, Va., has always had a passion for leadership and will follow her father and younger sister into the Corps. (Photo Courtesy of Elaine Lewis) - Candidate Elaine Lewis, president of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority at Virginia Tech, will graduate May 12, 2017, and commission as a Marine Corps second lieutenant May 13, 2017, at the Virginia Tech War Memorial. Lewis, 22, from Stafford, Va., has always had a passion for leadership and will follow her father and younger sister into the Corps. (Photo Courtesy of Elaine Lewis)

Sergeant Brian Robert, recruiter of Recruiting Sub Station Ventura, presents a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarship check to Kyla Rosales at Foothill Technology High School in Ventura, Calif., April 26, 2017. 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 Brian Robert, recruiter of Recruiting Sub Station Ventura, presents a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Scholarship check to Kyla Rosales at Foothill Technology High School in Ventura, Calif., April 26, 2017. 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)