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Marines

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Major Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, awards the Navy Cross to Chief Petty Officer Justin A. Wilson, a Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman, with 1st MSOB 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)

Major Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, awards the Navy Cross to Chief Petty Officer Justin A. Wilson, a Special Amphibious Reconnaissance Corpsman, with 1st MSOB 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

A Multi-Purpose Canine handler, with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, fast-ropes with his canine aboard Stone Bay, Oct. 1, 2014. As MARSOC continues to demonstrate their capabilities and versatilities, MPC handlers with the command are preparing themselves and their canines for new areas of operation they’ll be deploying to. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox/Released)

A Multi-Purpose Canine handler, with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, fast-ropes with his canine aboard Stone Bay, Oct. 1, 2014. As MARSOC continues to demonstrate their capabilities and versatilities, MPC handlers with the command are preparing themselves and their canines for new areas of operation they’ll be deploying to. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox

A Multi-Purpose Canine handler, with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, fast-ropes with his canine aboard Stone Bay, Oct. 1, 2014. As MARSOC continues to demonstrate their capabilities and versatilities, MPC handlers with the command are preparing themselves and their canines for new areas of operation, they’ll be deploying to. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox/Released)

A Multi-Purpose Canine handler, with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, fast-ropes with his canine aboard Stone Bay, Oct. 1, 2014. As MARSOC continues to demonstrate their capabilities and versatilities, MPC handlers with the command are preparing themselves and their canines for new areas of operation, they’ll be deploying to. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven Fox

A Multi-Purpose Canine handler, with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, repels down a structure aboard Stone Bay, Oct. 2, 2014. As MARSOC continues to demonstrate their capabilities and versatilities, MPC handlers with the command are preparing themselves and their canines for new areas of operation, they’ll be deploying to. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox/Released)

A Multi-Purpose Canine handler, with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, repels down a structure aboard Stone Bay, Oct. 2, 2014. As MARSOC continues to demonstrate their capabilities and versatilities, MPC handlers with the command are preparing themselves and their canines for new areas of operation, they’ll be deploying to. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox

A Multi-Purpose Canine handler, with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, fast-ropes with his canine aboard Stone Bay, Oct. 1, 2014. As MARSOC continues to demonstrate their capabilities and versatilities, MPC handlers with the command are preparing themselves and their canines for new areas of operation they'll be deploying to. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox/Released)

A Multi-Purpose Canine handler, with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, fast-ropes with his canine aboard Stone Bay, Oct. 1, 2014. As MARSOC continues to demonstrate their capabilities and versatilities, MPC handlers with the command are preparing themselves and their canines for new areas of operation they'll be deploying to. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven Fox

A Multi-Purpose Canine handler, with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, fast-ropes with his canine aboard Stone Bay, Oct. 1, 2014. As MARSOC continues to demonstrate their capabilities and versatilities, MPC handlers with the command are preparing themselves and their canines for new areas of operation they’ll be deploying to. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox/Released)

A Multi-Purpose Canine handler, with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, fast-ropes with his canine aboard Stone Bay, Oct. 1, 2014. As MARSOC continues to demonstrate their capabilities and versatilities, MPC handlers with the command are preparing themselves and their canines for new areas of operation they’ll be deploying to. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox

Master Chief Jody Fletcher, the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command command master chief, receives an Operation One Voice branded coin from Bill Stevens, the founder of OOV, during a ceremony at the Fallen Heroes Memorial at the Gwinnett Justice Center in Lawrenceville, Ga., Sept. 11, 2014. Fletcher, Stevens and other Marines, sailors and OOV volunteers embarked on a 465-mile bike ride from North Carolina to Florida to honor Master Sgt. Aaron Torian, an explosive ordinance disposal technician and team chief with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, who was killed in action Jan. 29, 2014, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

Master Chief Jody Fletcher, the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command command master chief, receives an Operation One Voice branded coin from Bill Stevens, the founder of OOV, during a ceremony at the Fallen Heroes Memorial at the Gwinnett Justice Center in Lawrenceville, Ga., Sept. 11, 2014. Fletcher, Stevens and other Marines, sailors and OOV volunteers embarked on a 465-mile bike ride from North Carolina to Florida to honor Master Sgt. Aaron Torian, an explosive ordinance disposal technician and team chief with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, who was killed in action Jan. 29, 2014, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

Photo by Cpl. Donovan Lee

The team embarked on a 465-mile bike ride from North Carolina to Florida to honor Master Sgt. Aaron Torian, an explosive ordinance disposal technician and team chief with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, who was killed in action Jan. 29, 2014, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

The team embarked on a 465-mile bike ride from North Carolina to Florida to honor Master Sgt. Aaron Torian, an explosive ordinance disposal technician and team chief with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, who was killed in action Jan. 29, 2014, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

Photo by Cpl. Donovan Lee

Marines and sailors with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command and volunteers and staff with Operation One Voice pose for a picture at the Fallen Heroes Memorial at the Gwinnett Justice Center in Lawrenceville, Ga., Sept. 11, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

Marines and sailors with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command and volunteers and staff with Operation One Voice pose for a picture at the Fallen Heroes Memorial at the Gwinnett Justice Center in Lawrenceville, Ga., Sept. 11, 2014. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Donovan Lee/released)

Photo by Cpl. Donovan Lee

A U.S. Marine Critical Skills Operator with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, releases his ruck sack from his body, preparing to land during a double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training course , Aug 26, 2014, in rural Arizona. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

A U.S. Marine Critical Skills Operator with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, releases his ruck sack from his body, preparing to land during a double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training course , Aug 26, 2014, in rural Arizona. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven Fox

United States Marine Critical Skills Operators with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command prepare to execute their final jump of a double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training course, Aug 29, 2014, in rural Arizona. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

United States Marine Critical Skills Operators with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command prepare to execute their final jump of a double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training course, Aug 29, 2014, in rural Arizona. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven Fox

A U.S. Marine Critical Skills Operator with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command prepares to execute his final jump of a double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training course, Aug 29, 2014, conducted in rural Arizona. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

A U.S. Marine Critical Skills Operator with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command prepares to execute his final jump of a double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training course, Aug 29, 2014, conducted in rural Arizona. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven Fox

A U.S. Marine Critical Skills Operator with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, guides himself to a dropzone in the Arizona desert, during a double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training course , Aug 26, 2014. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

A U.S. Marine Critical Skills Operator with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, guides himself to a dropzone in the Arizona desert, during a double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training course , Aug 26, 2014. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven Fox

A U.S. Marine Critical Skills Operator with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, lands in the Arizona desert, with a ram-air canopy parachute system, during a double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training course, Aug 29, 2014. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

A U.S. Marine Critical Skills Operator with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, lands in the Arizona desert, with a ram-air canopy parachute system, during a double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training course, Aug 29, 2014. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven Fox

A U.S. Marine Critical Skills Operator with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, executes a double-bag static line (DBSL) jump, during a DBSL parachute training course , Aug 26, 2014, conducted in rural Arizona. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

A U.S. Marine Critical Skills Operator with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, executes a double-bag static line (DBSL) jump, during a DBSL parachute training course , Aug 26, 2014, conducted in rural Arizona. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven Fox

United States Marine Critical Skills Operators with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, wait aboard a CASA 212 aircraft in the process of gaining altitude to conduct a double-bag static line (DBSL) jump, during a DBSL parachute training course, Aug 26, 2014, in rural Arizona. The DBSL course is an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

United States Marine Critical Skills Operators with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, wait aboard a CASA 212 aircraft in the process of gaining altitude to conduct a double-bag static line (DBSL) jump, during a DBSL parachute training course, Aug 26, 2014, in rural Arizona. The DBSL course is an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven Fox

United States Marine Critical Skills Operators with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, wait for their double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training to commence, at a secluded Arizona flightline, Aug 26, 2014. The DBSL course is an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

United States Marine Critical Skills Operators with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, wait for their double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training to commence, at a secluded Arizona flightline, Aug 26, 2014. The DBSL course is an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven Fox

A U.S. Marine Critical Skills Operator with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, guides himself to a dropzone in the Arizona desert, during a double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training course, Aug 25, 2014. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

A U.S. Marine Critical Skills Operator with 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, guides himself to a dropzone in the Arizona desert, during a double-bag static line (DBSL) parachute training course, Aug 25, 2014. The DBSL course was an introduction to the High Altitude, High Opening (HAHO) insertion method utilized by Special Operations Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven M. Fox/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Steven Fox

A Marine with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, provides security during a partner nation force training exercise at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 17 – 27. The Marines of 2/8 joined forces with Critical Skill Operators with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command to strengthen the process-driven capability integration process between Special Operations Forces and the Marine Air Ground Task Force and to increase the Marine Corps’ and MARSOC’s ability to partner with foreign counterparts to advise, train and assist allied security forces. Throughout the 10-day training evolution, Marines with 2/8 played the role of a notional partner nation force, while MARSOC Critical Skills Operators and Special Operations Officers advised, trained and assisted 2/8, increasing both MARSOC’s and 2/8’s ability to advise, train and assist partner nation forces throughout the globe.

A Marine with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, provides security during a partner nation force training exercise at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 17 – 27. The Marines of 2/8 joined forces with Critical Skill Operators with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command to strengthen the process-driven capability integration process between Special Operations Forces and the Marine Air Ground Task Force and to increase the Marine Corps’ and MARSOC’s ability to partner with foreign counterparts to advise, train and assist allied security forces. Throughout the 10-day training evolution, Marines with 2/8 played the role of a notional partner nation force, while MARSOC Critical Skills Operators and Special Operations Officers advised, trained and assisted 2/8, increasing both MARSOC’s and 2/8’s ability to advise, train and assist partner nation forces throughout the globe.

Photo by Capt. Barry Morris

Marines with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, capture a role player identified as a notional high value target during a partner nation force training exercise at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug 17 – 27. The Marines of 2/8 joined forces with MARSOC to strengthen the process-driven capability integration process between Special Operations Forces and the Marine Air Ground Task Force and to increase the Marine Corps’ and MARSOC’s ability to partner with foreign counterparts to advise, train and assist allied security forces. In addition to partner nation force training, 2/8 Marines learned specialized techniques used by MARSOC to conduct short strikes and small-scale offensive actions to seize, capture and recover critical information and high value targets and persons of interest.

Marines with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, capture a role player identified as a notional high value target during a partner nation force training exercise at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug 17 – 27. The Marines of 2/8 joined forces with MARSOC to strengthen the process-driven capability integration process between Special Operations Forces and the Marine Air Ground Task Force and to increase the Marine Corps’ and MARSOC’s ability to partner with foreign counterparts to advise, train and assist allied security forces. In addition to partner nation force training, 2/8 Marines learned specialized techniques used by MARSOC to conduct short strikes and small-scale offensive actions to seize, capture and recover critical information and high value targets and persons of interest.

Photo by Capt. Barry Morris