Stories

Brian Copa, right, is promoted by U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Nicholas Safran, left, to the rank of private first class Aug. 20 at Sugarloaf Mountain in Urbana, Maryland, for his efforts in aiding the recruiting mission. Brian Copa is from Silver Spring, Maryland, and Safran is the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of Recruiting Sub-station Rockville, Recruiting Station Frederick. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Anthony J. Kirby/Released) - Brian Copa, right, is promoted by U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Nicholas Safran, left, to the rank of private first class Aug. 20 at Sugarloaf Mountain in Urbana, Maryland, for his efforts in aiding the recruiting mission. Brian Copa is from Silver Spring, Maryland, and Safran is the staff noncommissioned officer in charge of Recruiting Sub-station Rockville, Recruiting Station Frederick. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Anthony J. Kirby/Released)

Staff Sgt. Jose Benavidez, an Officer Selection Assistant with Officer Selection Office Raleigh, Marine Corps Recruiting Station Raleigh, helps an officer candidate with his gear during a three-mile hike aboard Umstead Park in Raleigh, N.C., Sept. 28, 2013. The candidates and Marines carried packs with 40 pounds of gear and an M-16 replica rubber rifle to get a feel for hiking while carrying weight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Dwight A. Henderson/Released) - Staff Sgt. Jose Benavidez, an Officer Selection Assistant with Officer Selection Office Raleigh, Marine Corps Recruiting Station Raleigh, helps an officer candidate with his gear during a three-mile hike aboard Umstead Park in Raleigh, N.C., Sept. 28, 2013. The candidates and Marines carried packs with 40 pounds of gear and an M-16 replica rubber rifle to get a feel for hiking while carrying weight. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Dwight A. Henderson/Released)