Stories

U.S. Marine Corps officer candidate Jamie Gastrich, a native of Richmond, Va., recites the oath of office as administered by U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Devin Claridy, an officer selection officer for Officer Selection Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., July 7, 2014. Gastrich, a junior at Old Dominion University, became the first candidate to contract from Recruiting Station Richmond’s newest officer selection station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Diamant/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps officer candidate Jamie Gastrich, a native of Richmond, Va., recites the oath of office as administered by U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Devin Claridy, an officer selection officer for Officer Selection Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Va., July 7, 2014. Gastrich, a junior at Old Dominion University, became the first candidate to contract from Recruiting Station Richmond’s newest officer selection station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aaron Diamant/Released)

Steven Chaney of Barberton, Ohio, lost over 100 pounds in hopes of joining the United States Marine Corps. In just over a year, Chaney was able to achieve the feat with exercise, healthy eating and the mentorship of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. David Belcher, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Akron. (U.S. Marine Corps hoto by Sgt. T.M. Stewman/Released) - Steven Chaney of Barberton, Ohio, lost over 100 pounds in hopes of joining the United States Marine Corps. In just over a year, Chaney was able to achieve the feat with exercise, healthy eating and the mentorship of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. David Belcher, a recruiter with Recruiting Sub-Station Akron. (U.S. Marine Corps hoto by Sgt. T.M. Stewman/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Katherine L. Palacio, a recent recruit training graduate and Tucson, Ariz., native, leads poolees from Recruiting Sub-Station Greensboro, in physical training outside the sub-station’s office in Greensboro, N.C., June 12, 2014. Palacio battled for four years to join the Marine Corps before enlisting out of Greensboro, N.C., on Feb. 20, 2014, and finishing recruit training as part of platoon 4018, O Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., June 6, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Dwight A. Henderson/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Katherine L. Palacio, a recent recruit training graduate and Tucson, Ariz., native, leads poolees from Recruiting Sub-Station Greensboro, in physical training outside the sub-station’s office in Greensboro, N.C., June 12, 2014. Palacio battled for four years to join the Marine Corps before enlisting out of Greensboro, N.C., on Feb. 20, 2014, and finishing recruit training as part of platoon 4018, O Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., June 6, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Dwight A. Henderson/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Scott E. Stephan, (right), is awarded the Meritorious Service Medal during the Recruiting Station Change of Command at the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs June 26, 2014. According to the award citation, during his tenure as commanding officer, Stephan led RS Louisville to be consistently one of the most successful recruiting stations for 4th Marine Corps District, contracting 1,971 future Marines from RS Louisville. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Birky/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Scott E. Stephan, (right), is awarded the Meritorious Service Medal during the Recruiting Station Change of Command at the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs June 26, 2014. According to the award citation, during his tenure as commanding officer, Stephan led RS Louisville to be consistently one of the most successful recruiting stations for 4th Marine Corps District, contracting 1,971 future Marines from RS Louisville. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Birky/Released)

Members of the Parkersburg High School football team conduct weighted squats during the physical training portion of a leadership seminar held June 20, 2014. The seminar, held at Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, W.Va., was conducted by Marines from Recruiting Station Charleston with the purpose of developing the leadership abilities of the football team by teaching Marine Corps values. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler Hlavac/Released) - Members of the Parkersburg High School football team conduct weighted squats during the physical training portion of a leadership seminar held June 20, 2014. The seminar, held at Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, W.Va., was conducted by Marines from Recruiting Station Charleston with the purpose of developing the leadership abilities of the football team by teaching Marine Corps values. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler Hlavac/Released)