Stories

Vivian Jones, the Mayor of Wake Forest, cuts a ribbon with Marines of Marine Corps Recruiting Station Raleigh during the Permanent Contact Station Wake Forest grand opening ceremony in Wake Forest, N.C., on Dec. 16, 2013. The Marines held a grand opening featuring a ribbon cutting and Toys for Tots drive to promote the new station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Dwight A. Henderson/Released) - Vivian Jones, the Mayor of Wake Forest, cuts a ribbon with Marines of Marine Corps Recruiting Station Raleigh during the Permanent Contact Station Wake Forest grand opening ceremony in Wake Forest, N.C., on Dec. 16, 2013. The Marines held a grand opening featuring a ribbon cutting and Toys for Tots drive to promote the new station. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Dwight A. Henderson/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Daniel Campos, the company commander for Company L, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment and U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Robert Waltz, the company first sergeant, award the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" device to Tim Padgett during a ceremony at the Marine Reserve Center in Columbus, Ohio Dec. 13, 2013. Padgett, a Vietnam War-era Marine, earned the award for actions during combat. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler J. Hlavac/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Daniel Campos, the company commander for Company L, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment and U.S. Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Robert Waltz, the company first sergeant, award the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" device to Tim Padgett during a ceremony at the Marine Reserve Center in Columbus, Ohio Dec. 13, 2013. Padgett, a Vietnam War-era Marine, earned the award for actions during combat. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler J. Hlavac/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Jessica Lopez and U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Daniel Barker, right, take a moment to celebrate Lopez’s accomplishment of earning the eagle, globe and anchor during Family Day on Aug. 15, 2013. Her stepfather, Barker, is currently the staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of Recruiting Substation Tri-County. Lopez is currently enrolled at her Military Occupational Specialty school in Pensacola, Fla., where upon successful completion of her course, she will become an air traffic controller. (Courtesy Photo). - U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Jessica Lopez and U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Daniel Barker, right, take a moment to celebrate Lopez’s accomplishment of earning the eagle, globe and anchor during Family Day on Aug. 15, 2013. Her stepfather, Barker, is currently the staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of Recruiting Substation Tri-County. Lopez is currently enrolled at her Military Occupational Specialty school in Pensacola, Fla., where upon successful completion of her course, she will become an air traffic controller. (Courtesy Photo).

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Donna Williams took some time out to show off her warehouse. As the Recruiting Station Frederick’s logistics clerk, she is responsible for the security of “The Cage” where RS Frederick keeps all of its valuable gear. She was selected as the 4th Marine Corps District’s Marine of the Year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Amber Williams/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Donna Williams took some time out to show off her warehouse. As the Recruiting Station Frederick’s logistics clerk, she is responsible for the security of “The Cage” where RS Frederick keeps all of its valuable gear. She was selected as the 4th Marine Corps District’s Marine of the Year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Amber Williams/Released)

Jorge Estevez, center, waits with 30 other recruits in the Cpl. Jennifer M. Parcell Ceremony Room to take their oath of enlistment at the Military Entrance Processing Station aboard Fort George G. Meade, Md., Dec. 2, 2013. Estevez, a native of the Dominican Republic, lost 140 pounds in order to join the Marine Corps. He is currently attending recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bryan Nygaard/Released) - Jorge Estevez, center, waits with 30 other recruits in the Cpl. Jennifer M. Parcell Ceremony Room to take their oath of enlistment at the Military Entrance Processing Station aboard Fort George G. Meade, Md., Dec. 2, 2013. Estevez, a native of the Dominican Republic, lost 140 pounds in order to join the Marine Corps. He is currently attending recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bryan Nygaard/Released)