Stories

Recruiting Station Charleston Marines participate in a retirement ceremony for Master Gunnery Sgt. Dean L. Bowers, a Jackson, Mich. native, at the West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston July 25, 2014. Bowers served as the Recruiter Instructor for RS Charleston. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler Hlavac/Released) - Recruiting Station Charleston Marines participate in a retirement ceremony for Master Gunnery Sgt. Dean L. Bowers, a Jackson, Mich. native, at the West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston July 25, 2014. Bowers served as the Recruiter Instructor for RS Charleston. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tyler Hlavac/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Terence D. Trenchard is awarded the Legion of Merit by Brig. Gen. Terry Williams, the commanding general of Eastern Recruiting Region and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., at the Defense Distribution Center Susquehanna in New Cumberland, Pa., July 10, 2014. Trenchard, a Hartford, Conn. native, was awarded the Legion of Merit after his successful completion of his time at 4th Marine Corps District. Trenchard will assume the post of operations officer for Marine Corps Recruiting Command after relinquishing the command of the district to Col. John A. Bolt, a Mount Dora, Fla. native. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicholas S. Ranum/Released) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Terence D. Trenchard is awarded the Legion of Merit by Brig. Gen. Terry Williams, the commanding general of Eastern Recruiting Region and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., at the Defense Distribution Center Susquehanna in New Cumberland, Pa., July 10, 2014. Trenchard, a Hartford, Conn. native, was awarded the Legion of Merit after his successful completion of his time at 4th Marine Corps District. Trenchard will assume the post of operations officer for Marine Corps Recruiting Command after relinquishing the command of the district to Col. John A. Bolt, a Mount Dora, Fla. native. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicholas S. Ranum/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) - 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)