1st Marine Division

Marines from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, insert into a drop zone during a Marine Corps Readiness Evaluation at Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 28, 2016. In preparation for upcoming deployments, the training provides Marines with the opportunity to conduct realistic operations in various environments. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Bradley J. Morrow)

Cpl. Jalen R. Freiberg, a machine gun section leader with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, provides security for Marines inserting into a drop zone during a Marine Corps Readiness Evaluation at Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 28, 2016. The training allows the Marines to work through their standard operating procedures to ensure their methods are effective in a real-life scenario. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Bradley J. Morrow)

Capt. Daniel H. Zimlich, a forward air controller, with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, plots coordinates on a map during a Marine Corps Readiness Evaluation at Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 28, 2016. In preparation for upcoming deployments, the training allows Marines to evaluate how efficient and effective their standard operating procedures are to handle real-life scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Bradley J. Morrow)

Marines from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division provide security after being inserted into a landing zone to start their Marine Corps Readiness Evaluation at Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 28, 2016. The training allows the Marines to work through various scenarios to ensure they are ready for any situation that may arise. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Bradley J. Morrow)

Marines from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, provide security for Marines inserting into a drop zone during a Marine Corps Readiness Evaluation at Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 28, 2016. Realistic training was conducted to prepare the Marines for upcoming deployments. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Bradley J. Morrow)

Sergeant Derrick Higgs and Cpl. Clayton Degnan, both with Co. C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, stand after receiving the Mitchell Cup and their annual rifle squad competition badges for winning the 2016 1st Marine Division Squad Competition award ceremony at Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 14, 2016. The Mitchell Cup was named after Cpl. Robert Mitchell, who received the Navy Cross for his heroic actions as a squad leader in Fallujah, Iraq. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Shellie Hall)

Lance Cpl. Jonathan Gray, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, practices tactical maneuvers during a squad competition on Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 13, 2016. The 1st Marine Division hosted their annual Infantry Squad or “Super Squad” competition which pits the 1st, 5th, and 7th Marine Regiments and a Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion against each other in tests designed to evaluate their leadership and small unit, infantry skills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonathan Boynes)

Lance Cpl. Scott Buschur, an infantryman with 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, fires at a target during a live-fire range aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 12, 2016. The 1st Marine Division hosted their annual Infantry Squad or “Super Squad” competition which pits the 1st, 5th, and 7th Marine Regiments and a Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion against each other in tests designed to evaluate their leadership and small unit, infantry skills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jonathan Boynes)

Lance Cpl. Jaime J. Camacho takes aim at a simulated enemy for 1st Marine Division’s annual Infantry Squad competitions. The competition pits squads from the 1st, 5th and 7th Marine Regiments along with one from a Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion against one another in marksmanship, physical fitness and squad-level tactics. Camacho, a native of Laredo, Texas, is a rifleman with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin E. Bowles)

Lance Cpl. Chance A. Goff prepares to fire an M203 Grenade Launcher during a combat marksmanship course for 1st Marine Division’s annual Infantry Squad competitions. The competition pits squads from the 1st, 5th and 7th Marine Regiments along with one from a Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion against one another in marksmanship, physical fitness and squad-level tactics. Goff, who placed first in the marksmanship competition, is a native of Fayette, Missouri and a rifleman with Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin E. Bowles)

Marines with 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division move towards defensive positions during the 1st Marine Division Infantry Squad Competition July 14, 2016 at Camp Pendleton, California. The 1st Marine Division hosted their annual Infantry Squad or “Super Squad” competition which pits the 1st, 5th and 7th Marine Regiments and a Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion against each other in tests designed to evaluate their leadership and small unit infantry skills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Abbey Perria)

Marines with 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division consult a map while building a terrain model during the 1st Marine Division Infantry Squad Competition July 12, 2016 at Camp Pendleton, California. The 1st Marine Division hosted their annual Infantry Squad or “Super Squad” competition which pits the 1st, 5th and 7th Marine Regiments and a Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion against each other in tests designed to evaluate their leadership and small unit infantry skills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Abbey Perria)

Marines with 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division build a terrain model during the 1st Marine Division Infantry Squad Competition July 12, 2016 at Camp Pendleton, California. The 1st Marine Division hosted their annual Infantry Squad or “Super Squad” competition which pits the 1st, 5th and 7th Marine Regiments and a Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion against each other in tests designed to evaluate their leadership and small unit infantry skills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Abbey Perria)

Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conduct a six-mile hike to Red Beach where the battalion held its annual Highlander Night aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 30, 2016. The Highlander Night brings the battalion together to strengthen their brotherhood and esprit-de-corps through a warrior’s fest and competition. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero/ Released)

Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion 1st Marine Division, conduct timed Humvee pulls during the battalion’s Highlander Night aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 30, 2016. The intramural competitions strengthened the bonds between the Marines working in teams. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero/ Released)

Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion cheer and motivate the Marines participating in a tug-of-war challenge during the battalion’s annual Highlander Night aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 30, 2016. The competitions tighten the bonds of brotherhood and build esprit corps as units work together in head to head competitions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero/ Released)

Marines with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division participate in pugil sticks matches during the battalion’s annual Highlander Night aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 30, 2016. The Highlander Night tightens the bonds of brotherhood through competitions that pit unit against unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero/ Released)

Lieutenant Colonel Michael Nakonieczny, the commanding officer of Headquarters Battalion, 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, knees down with the battalion’s Highlander Sword while Marines fight using pugil sticks during 1st LAR’s Highlander Night aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 30, 2016. The Highlander Night tightens the bonds of brotherhood through competitions that pit unit against unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero/ Released)

A Marine with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division screams while pulling during the battalion’s Highlander Night tug-of-war competition aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., June 30, 2016. The Highlander Night tightens the bonds of brotherhood through competitions that pit unit against unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero/ Released)

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – Bob Pruitt speaks with a Marine before the start of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment “Dark Horse” Reunion at the San Mateo Memorial Garden April 29, 2016. Pruitt, a Vietnam War veteran and former Navy petty officer, is now a Patriot Guard Rider. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Shellie Hall/Released)

Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Ray Mabus, speaks with a mix of entry-level Marine students from the School of Infantry-West and mid-career enlisted leaders studying at the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., about opening all occupational specialties to qualified Marines of either gender April 12, 2016.

Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Ray Mabus, speaks with a mix of entry-level Marine students from the School of Infantry-West and mid-career enlisted leaders studying at the Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., about opening all occupational specialties to qualified Marines of either gender April 12, 2016.

Lieutenant General David H. Berger, commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force, presents Marines assigned to Truck Company, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division, with the Marine Corps Motor Transportation Unit of the Year award, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, March 25, 2016. The Marines with Truck Co. demonstrated exceptional technical and tactical proficiency and dependability which earned them the award.

Marines refuel an Amphibious Assault Vehicle from a CH-53E Super Stallion during a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation Feb. 25, 2016. The MCCRE evaluates the readiness of the Marines of Company A, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion prior to their deployment to Okinawa, Japan. Refueling from an aircraft is a unique capability for the AAV crew as it is not a commonly trained skill. The aircraft is from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 465, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero/ Released)

Amphibious Assault Vehicles set a defense as the remaining AAV-7s assault the beach on Camp Pendleton Feb. 25, 2016. The exercise evaluated the readiness of the Marines of Company A, 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion prior to their deployment to Okinawa, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Timothy Valero/ Released)