Stories

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)

Isaiah Graham jumps for a high pass during practice at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl 2016, at Fuller College Practice Field on Dec. 30, 2015. The Marine Corps advocates for high-achieving high school athletes and views the Semper Fidelis football program as an opportunity to establish a strong connection with America’s youth. Graham is a wide receiver for Bastrop High School in Bastrop, Louisiana. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mark Adams/ Released) - Isaiah Graham jumps for a high pass during practice at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl 2016, at Fuller College Practice Field on Dec. 30, 2015. The Marine Corps advocates for high-achieving high school athletes and views the Semper Fidelis football program as an opportunity to establish a strong connection with America’s youth. Graham is a wide receiver for Bastrop High School in Bastrop, Louisiana. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mark Adams/ Released)

John-Michael Terry speaks with staff for registration during check-in for the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl 2016, held at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Garden Grove, California, on Dec. 28, 2015. These students were not only selected for their performance on the field, but also the relationship they have built within their community and their academic accomplishments “I want to definitely learn from the Marines and the hard work and the things that they will instill in me over the next week in these practices, and just learn things from them I can take back to Oklahoma,” said Terry. Terry is a linebacker for Victory Christian High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mark Adams/ Released) - John-Michael Terry speaks with staff for registration during check-in for the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl 2016, held at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Garden Grove, California, on Dec. 28, 2015. These students were not only selected for their performance on the field, but also the relationship they have built within their community and their academic accomplishments “I want to definitely learn from the Marines and the hard work and the things that they will instill in me over the next week in these practices, and just learn things from them I can take back to Oklahoma,” said Terry. Terry is a linebacker for Victory Christian High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mark Adams/ Released)

Lieutenant Gen. Mark A. Brilakis passes the Marine Corps Recruiting Command colors to Brig. Gen. Paul Kennedy during the MCRC change of command ceremony at the Gray Research Center aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Dec. 17, 2015. Passing the colors symbolizes the shift in responsibilities from one commanding general to the next. - Lieutenant Gen. Mark A. Brilakis passes the Marine Corps Recruiting Command colors to Brig. Gen. Paul Kennedy during the MCRC change of command ceremony at the Gray Research Center aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Dec. 17, 2015. Passing the colors symbolizes the shift in responsibilities from one commanding general to the next.

Marines from the 1st Marine Corps District pose for a photo with students and staff during a “Toys for Tots” pick up at H. Frank Carey High School, Dec. 10 at Franklin Square, N.Y. “Toys for Tots” has been around for such a long time and they have done such a great job every year,” said Clarice Tenorio, a senior at H. Frank Carey High School. - Marines from the 1st Marine Corps District pose for a photo with students and staff during a “Toys for Tots” pick up at H. Frank Carey High School, Dec. 10 at Franklin Square, N.Y. “Toys for Tots” has been around for such a long time and they have done such a great job every year,” said Clarice Tenorio, a senior at H. Frank Carey High School.

Headquarters Marine Corps has published new administrative messages in October 2015 outlining military occupational specialty openings the Corps seeks to fill with some even offering bonus pay incentives. If a Marine is interested in a conducting a lateral move, they should talk to their career planner. - Headquarters Marine Corps has published new administrative messages in October 2015 outlining military occupational specialty openings the Corps seeks to fill with some even offering bonus pay incentives. If a Marine is interested in a conducting a lateral move, they should talk to their career planner.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announces his Women in Service Review during a press brief at the Pentagon, Dec. 3, 2015. (DoD photo by Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)(Released) - Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announces his Women in Service Review during a press brief at the Pentagon, Dec. 3, 2015. (DoD photo by Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz)(Released)

Cpl. Aaron Atwood poses for a photograph holding his French Horn Nov. 5, at Marine Recruiting Station Springfield’s Headquarters. The 27-year-old Danbury, Conn.-native used his Post 9/11 G.I. Bill to obtain a Bachelor’s of Music Performance Classical French Horn from Western Connecticut State University. Atwood has reenlisted into the Marines so that he can have a career as a full time preforming musician. He will be with the Marine Band stationed in New Orleans, La. - Cpl. Aaron Atwood poses for a photograph holding his French Horn Nov. 5, at Marine Recruiting Station Springfield’s Headquarters. The 27-year-old Danbury, Conn.-native used his Post 9/11 G.I. Bill to obtain a Bachelor’s of Music Performance Classical French Horn from Western Connecticut State University. Atwood has reenlisted into the Marines so that he can have a career as a full time preforming musician. He will be with the Marine Band stationed in New Orleans, La.

Brig. Gen. Terry V. Williams, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Eastern Recruiting Region, speaks during the 75th anniversary of Officer Candidate School on Brown Field ceremony and candidate graduation at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Nov. 24, 2015. The mission of OCS is to educate and train officer candidates in Marine Corps knowledge and skills within a controlled, challenging and chaotic environment. (U. S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erasmo Cortez III) - Brig. Gen. Terry V. Williams, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Eastern Recruiting Region, speaks during the 75th anniversary of Officer Candidate School on Brown Field ceremony and candidate graduation at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia. Nov. 24, 2015. The mission of OCS is to educate and train officer candidates in Marine Corps knowledge and skills within a controlled, challenging and chaotic environment. (U. S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Erasmo Cortez III)