Marine Corps Recruiting Command

Colonel Anthony M. Henderson speaks to an audience at a morning plenary during the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute at the Washington Hilton, Nov. 21, 2016. Marines host events like workouts and workshops for the TMCF as a way to give back to the community and shape diverse young leaders. Hundreds of students from around the United States gather for the TMCF for the opportunity to learn from experienced men and women who rose from same cultural backgrounds. Henderson is the commanding officer for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Rich Bender, executive director, USA Wrestling, fires rounds down range during a tour of Marine Corps Base Quantico on Nov. 18, 2016. Bender and other USA Wrestling representatives, including three-time world champion Adeline Gray, took a tour of MCBQ that included a V-22 Osprey flight, a martial arts demonstration, and a shooting range. Through this relationship with USAW, the Marine Corps will also partner with other organizations within the wrestling-related community to further communicate the message of shared values and establish a strong connection with America’s youth

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Brian W. Cavanaugh, deputy commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, presents the Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Ernest James Harris, Jr. in Honolulu Nov. 12, 2016. Harris was awarded his Congressional Gold Medal for his service as a Montford Point Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Wesley Timm)

Marines from Recruiting Station Houston and the Officer Selection Team Houston meet with students at the National Society of Black Engineers Fall Regional Conference in Houston, Texas, Nov. 11. Students from across NSBE’s Region 5 attended the conference and received information about what it takes to become a Marine Corps Officer. The University of Houston’s NSBE chapter has more notoriety this year, after receiving multiple awards at the national conference, former NSBE President Patrick Guide II is set to graduate from Officer Candidates School and commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps, Nov. 19.

The Marine Corps Recruiting Command Office of Diversity speaks with participants of the CIAA Football Championship in Salem, Va., Nov. 11, 2016. The game was between Winston State Salem University and Bowie State University. Marines spoke with both teams about Veteran's Day and encouraged the players to do win. WSSU won the Championship and will advance to the first round of the NCAA Division II Football Championship.

The Marine Corps Recruiting Command Office of Diversity speaks with participants of the CIAA Football Championship in Salem, Va., Nov. 11, 2016. The game was between Winston State Salem University and Bowie State University. Marines spoke with both teams about Veteran's Day and encouraged the players to do win. WSSU won the Championship and will advance to the first round of the NCAA Division II Football Championship.

Capt. Juan Chavez, Recruiting Support Officer, Recruiting Station Albuquerque (left) and Capt. Evita Mosqueda-Chapman, Recruiting Support Officer, Recruiting Station San Diego, engage and interview students for the Extreme Engineering Team Challenge at the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Symposium in Seattle, Nov. 2, 2016. During the symposium Marines interact with collegiate-level students from across the country, all which have a Hispanic heritage, and have shown outstanding qualities in education and leadership. The SHPE provides the Marine Corps the opportunity to foster positive relationships with the members and key-influencers within the Hispanic community, share the longer Marine Corps story and to demonstrate that the armed forces is a viable career option. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Taylor Morton/Released)

The 18th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Ronald L. Green, visits Marines assigned to Marine Corps Recruiting Station Baton Rouge and poolees in Gulfport, Miss., Oct. 26, 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt Rubin J. Tan/Released)

The early board members input their calculated scores and votes into the Marine Corps Recruiting Information System to determine which applicants receive the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Marine scholarship, Oct. 26, 2016, at the J. Walter Thompson building in Atlanta, Ga. The early board determined who received 21 of the 51 scholarships allotted to 9th Marine Corps District. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jennifer Webster/Released)

Second Lieutenant Tyler R. Watkins leads Delta Company during a field meet at Officer Candidates School, aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Aug. 4, 2016. Once an NCAA Division I athlete, Watkins transitioned from trying to play football professionally to his dreams of becoming a Marine officer. He graduated OCS with Officer Candidate Class 222, which had the most OCS graduates since 2009, on Aug. 6, 2016. Due to injuries sustained during OCS, he is temporarily assigned to the Plans and Research section at Marine Corps Recruiting Command aboard MCB Quantico. Watkins hopes to return to training in March 2017.

Braylin X. Young, left, stands with his inspiration and father, Master Sgt. Trevor C. Young. Braylin, who won the 14-15 Individual 85 kg at the USA Weightlifting National Youth Competition held in June in Austin, Texas, got started lifting weights by his father who first brought him along to workouts as a way to do some father-son bonding. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Greg Thomas)

Marines watch students conduct pull ups during the career fair at the 2016 Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers National Convention in Dallas, Texas Oct 15. The presence of the Marine Corps at SASE creates a positive reminder to those participating that Marines are supportive of SASE as an organization, its efforts and the communities it represents.

Private First Class Le’Darius S. Scott, Bravo Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, stands with his senior drill instructor outside his squad bay at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Oct. 11. Following recruit training, Scott will report to the School of Infantry at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., and then to his military occupational specialty school to become an administration specialist. Annually, more than 17,000 males recruited from the Western Recruiting Region are trained at MCRD San Diego.