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Marines

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Marine perform pull-ups during Phase I of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command's Assessment and Selection course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 5, 2015. Completing a physical fitness test with a minimum score of 225 is a requirement to become a Critical Skills Operator with MARSOC.

Marine perform pull-ups during Phase I of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command's Assessment and Selection course aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 5, 2015. Completing a physical fitness test with a minimum score of 225 is a requirement to become a Critical Skills Operator with MARSOC.

Photo by Cpl. Steven M. Fox

MOBILE, Ala.—A Critical Skills Operator with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, fast-ropes onto a ship here, Feb. 12, 2015. The battalion conducted a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure mission aboard the ship during RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance the battalion’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

MOBILE, Ala.—A Critical Skills Operator with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, fast-ropes onto a ship here, Feb. 12, 2015. The battalion conducted a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure mission aboard the ship during RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance the battalion’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Josh Higgins

Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, run to a firing point at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Critical Skills Operators with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, trained with 2nd CEB Marines during RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance the battalion’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, run to a firing point at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Critical Skills Operators with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, trained with 2nd CEB Marines during RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance the battalion’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Higgins

A Critical Skills Operator with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, watches as Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, fire M4 carbine rifles at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Marines with 3rd MSOB participated in RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance the battalion’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

A Critical Skills Operator with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, watches as Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, fire M4 carbine rifles at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Marines with 3rd MSOB participated in RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance the battalion’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Higgins

A Marine with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, fires an M4 carbine rifle at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Critical Skills Operators with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, trained with 2nd CEB Marines during RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance 3rd MSOB’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

A Marine with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, fires an M4 carbine rifle at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Critical Skills Operators with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, trained with 2nd CEB Marines during RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance 3rd MSOB’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Higgins

A Marine with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, fires an M4 carbine rifle at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Critical Skills Operators with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, trained with 2nd CEB Marines during RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance 3rd MSOB’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

A Marine with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, fires an M4 carbine rifle at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Critical Skills Operators with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, trained with 2nd CEB Marines during RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance 3rd MSOB’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Higgins

A Critical Skills Operator with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, teaches Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, shooting techniques before firing M4 carbine rifles and M9 service pistols at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Marines with 3rd MSOB participated in RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance the battalion’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

A Critical Skills Operator with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, teaches Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, shooting techniques before firing M4 carbine rifles and M9 service pistols at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Marines with 3rd MSOB participated in RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance the battalion’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Higgins

A Critical Skills Operator with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, and his Multi-Purpose Canine, Lando, watch as Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, fire M-4 carbine rifles and M-9 service pistols at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Marines with 3rd MSOB participated in RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance the battalion’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

A Critical Skills Operator with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, and his Multi-Purpose Canine, Lando, watch as Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, fire M-4 carbine rifles and M-9 service pistols at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Marines with 3rd MSOB participated in RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance the battalion’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Higgins

A Critical Skills Operator with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, teaches Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, shooting techniques before firing M4 carbine rifles and M9 service pistols at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Marines with 3rd MSOB participated in RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance the battalion’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

A Critical Skills Operator with 3rd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, teaches Marines with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, shooting techniques before firing M4 carbine rifles and M9 service pistols at a range here, Feb. 10, 2015. Marines with 3rd MSOB participated in RAVEN 15-03, a 10-day realistic military training exercise to enhance the battalion’s readiness for worldwide support to global security. Marines with 2nd CEB played the role of a partner nation force during the exercise. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by GySgt. Josh Higgins/released)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Joshua Higgins

(Left to right) Unidentified; Staff Sgt. Mona Thomas, embarkation chief, Marine Special Operations Support Group; Capt. Christie Everett, adjutant, MSOSG; Ms. Lexi McLellan; 2nd Lt. Kelsey Baker, logistics officer, 2d Marine Special Operations Support Battalion, won first place in the female team division of the Marine Corps Community Services’ 10K Extreme Endurance Challenge, at Camp Devil Dog, N.C., Feb. 7. Some of the women also had individual achievements. Capt. Everett placed first, Ms. McLellan placed second, and 2nd Lt. Baker placed second in their respective age groups.

(Left to right) Unidentified; Staff Sgt. Mona Thomas, embarkation chief, Marine Special Operations Support Group; Capt. Christie Everett, adjutant, MSOSG; Ms. Lexi McLellan; 2nd Lt. Kelsey Baker, logistics officer, 2d Marine Special Operations Support Battalion, won first place in the female team division of the Marine Corps Community Services’ 10K Extreme Endurance Challenge, at Camp Devil Dog, N.C., Feb. 7. Some of the women also had individual achievements. Capt. Everett placed first, Ms. McLellan placed second, and 2nd Lt. Baker placed second in their respective age groups.

Photo by Courtesy

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeremiah ‘Bull’ Parvin, 75th Fighter Squadron director of operations, and U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Richard Wells, senior enlisted advisor of Marine Special Operations School, pose for a photo Jan. 29, 2015, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Parvin received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor for his heroic actions that saved the lives of Wells’ team during a 2008 deployment to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ceaira Tinsley/Released)

U.S. Air Force Maj. Jeremiah ‘Bull’ Parvin, 75th Fighter Squadron director of operations, and U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Richard Wells, senior enlisted advisor of Marine Special Operations School, pose for a photo Jan. 29, 2015, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. Parvin received the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor for his heroic actions that saved the lives of Wells’ team during a 2008 deployment to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ceaira Tinsley/Released)

Photo by Airman 1st Class Ceaira Tinsley

A Critical Skills Operator with Bravo Company, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, goes through a hatch while searching a target vessel during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training near Naval Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 13. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

A Critical Skills Operator with Bravo Company, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, goes through a hatch while searching a target vessel during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training near Naval Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 13. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

Photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee

A Critical Skills Operator with Bravo Company, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, searches and clears a target vessel during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training near Naval Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 15. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

A Critical Skills Operator with Bravo Company, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, searches and clears a target vessel during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training near Naval Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 15. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

Photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee

Critical Skills Operators with Bravo Company, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, saw through a steel door during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training near Naval Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 15. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

Critical Skills Operators with Bravo Company, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, saw through a steel door during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training near Naval Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 15. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

Photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee

A Critical Skills Operator with Bravo Company, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, performs first aid on a simulated casualty during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training near Naval Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 15. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

A Critical Skills Operator with Bravo Company, 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, performs first aid on a simulated casualty during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure training near Naval Base Coronado, Calif., Jan. 15. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

Photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee

A Critical Skills Operator with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, pays tribute to a fallen warrior during a ceremony to unveil a stone memorial at the 2nd MSOB headquarters aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 12, 2014. The stone memorial was donated by the MARSOC Foundation to honor all fallen MARSOC Marines and sailors from 2nd MSOB. (Official United States Marine Corps photo and caption by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

A Critical Skills Operator with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, pays tribute to a fallen warrior during a ceremony to unveil a stone memorial at the 2nd MSOB headquarters aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 12, 2014. The stone memorial was donated by the MARSOC Foundation to honor all fallen MARSOC Marines and sailors from 2nd MSOB. (Official United States Marine Corps photo and caption by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

Photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee

A Critical Skills Operator with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, pays tribute to a fallen warrior during a ceremony to unveil a stone memorial at the 2nd MSOB headquarters aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 12, 2014. The stone memorial was donated by the MARSOC Foundation to honor all fallen MARSOC Marines and sailors from 2nd MSOB. (Official United States Marine Corps photo and caption by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

A Critical Skills Operator with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, pays tribute to a fallen warrior during a ceremony to unveil a stone memorial at the 2nd MSOB headquarters aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 12, 2014. The stone memorial was donated by the MARSOC Foundation to honor all fallen MARSOC Marines and sailors from 2nd MSOB. (Official United States Marine Corps photo and caption by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

Photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee

First Sgt. Alvoid Hamilton, first sergeant for 1st MSOB, presents a folded American Flag to the family of Staff Sgt. Christopher Diaz a Military Working Dog handler who was killed in action, Sept. 28, 2011, during a Navy Cross and Bronze Star awards ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 25, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Scott A. Achtemeier / Released)

First Sgt. Alvoid Hamilton, first sergeant for 1st MSOB, presents a folded American Flag to the family of Staff Sgt. Christopher Diaz a Military Working Dog handler who was killed in action, Sept. 28, 2011, during a Navy Cross and Bronze Star awards ceremony aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 25, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Scott A. Achtemeier / Released)

Photo by Sgt. Scott Achtemeier

Major Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, assisted by Sgt. Maj. John Scott, MARSOC sergeant major, presents the Bronze Star posthumously to Staff Sgt. Nicholas Sprovtsoff, an Explosive Ordinance Technician, who was assigned to 1st MSOB. Sprovtsoff’s wife, Tasha Sprovtsoff, accepts the award on his behalf aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 25, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Scott A. Achtemeier / Released)

Major Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, assisted by Sgt. Maj. John Scott, MARSOC sergeant major, presents the Bronze Star posthumously to Staff Sgt. Nicholas Sprovtsoff, an Explosive Ordinance Technician, who was assigned to 1st MSOB. Sprovtsoff’s wife, Tasha Sprovtsoff, accepts the award on his behalf aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 25, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Scott A. Achtemeier / Released)

Photo by Sgt. Scott Achtemeier

Navy Chief Petty Officer Justin A. Wilson, Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman, 1st MSOB, received the Navy Cross aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Nov. 25, 2014. The Navy Cross is the second highest valor award, second to the Medal of Honor, and must be approved by the Secretary of the Navy before being awarded (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Scott A. Achtemeier / Released)

Navy Chief Petty Officer Justin A. Wilson, Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman, 1st MSOB, received the Navy Cross aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., on Nov. 25, 2014. The Navy Cross is the second highest valor award, second to the Medal of Honor, and must be approved by the Secretary of the Navy before being awarded (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Scott A. Achtemeier / Released)

Photo by Sgt. Scott Achtemeier