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Marines

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Staff Sgt. Andrew K. Thompson, with Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, speaks to peers after receiving the Silver Star at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 12. Thompson from Bismarck, N.D., led his team and a company of Afghan National Army in an operation to clear a village in the Farah Province of Afghanistan, according to the citation.

Staff Sgt. Andrew K. Thompson, with Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, speaks to peers after receiving the Silver Star at Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 12. Thompson from Bismarck, N.D., led his team and a company of Afghan National Army in an operation to clear a village in the Farah Province of Afghanistan, according to the citation.

Photo by LCpl. Joshua Young, I MEF Public Affairs

Brigadier Gen. Kevin J. Nally, director, C4 and Maj. Gen. Robert E. Schmidle, deputy commandant, U.S. Cyber Command, presented awards to members of U.S. Marine Special Operations Command at the Ninth Annual Marine Corps Association and Foundation C4 Awards in Arlington, Va., April 19. GySgt. Ryan E. Evans was awarded the PFC Herbert A. Littleton Staff Noncommissioned Officer Trophy for Operational Communications Excellence.

Brigadier Gen. Kevin J. Nally, director, C4 and Maj. Gen. Robert E. Schmidle, deputy commandant, U.S. Cyber Command, presented awards to members of U.S. Marine Special Operations Command at the Ninth Annual Marine Corps Association and Foundation C4 Awards in Arlington, Va., April 19. GySgt. Ryan E. Evans was awarded the PFC Herbert A. Littleton Staff Noncommissioned Officer Trophy for Operational Communications Excellence.

Photo by Ron Lunn

Brigadier Gen. Kevin J. Nally, director, C4 and Maj. Gen. Robert E. Schmidle, deputy commandant, U.S. Cyber Command, presented awards to members of U.S. Marine Special Operations Command at the Ninth Annual Marine Corps Association and Foundation C4 Awards in Arlington, Va., April 19. Sgt. Samuel K. Land was awarded the PFC Herbert A. Littleton Noncommissioned Officer Trophy for Operational Communications Excellence.

Brigadier Gen. Kevin J. Nally, director, C4 and Maj. Gen. Robert E. Schmidle, deputy commandant, U.S. Cyber Command, presented awards to members of U.S. Marine Special Operations Command at the Ninth Annual Marine Corps Association and Foundation C4 Awards in Arlington, Va., April 19. Sgt. Samuel K. Land was awarded the PFC Herbert A. Littleton Noncommissioned Officer Trophy for Operational Communications Excellence.

Photo by Ron Lunn

Brigadier Gen. Kevin J. Nally, director, C4 and Maj. Gen. Robert E. Schmidle, deputy commandant, U.S. Cyber Command, presented awards to members of U.S. Marine Special Operations Command at the Ninth Annual Marine Corps Association and Foundation C4 Awards in Arlington, Va., April 19. Tonya M. Vannoy was awarded the James Hamilton Information Technology Management Civilian of the Year.

Brigadier Gen. Kevin J. Nally, director, C4 and Maj. Gen. Robert E. Schmidle, deputy commandant, U.S. Cyber Command, presented awards to members of U.S. Marine Special Operations Command at the Ninth Annual Marine Corps Association and Foundation C4 Awards in Arlington, Va., April 19. Tonya M. Vannoy was awarded the James Hamilton Information Technology Management Civilian of the Year.

Photo by Sgt. Chadwick deBree

1st MSOB conducting underwater operations

1st MSOB conducting underwater operations

Photo by MARSOC PAO

1st MSOB Marines conducting underwater training.

1st MSOB Marines conducting underwater training.

Photo by MARSOC PAO

Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command Commander presents Gunnery Sgt. Joseph F. Lurz's wife and son with a custom dagger on Lurz's behalf for his selection as the 2010 Special Operations Forces Operator of the Year aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 3, 2011. Each year, select Marines and civilians are recognized within the MARSOC ranks for their outstanding achievements and contributions to MARSOC . (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost/Released)

Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command Commander presents Gunnery Sgt. Joseph F. Lurz's wife and son with a custom dagger on Lurz's behalf for his selection as the 2010 Special Operations Forces Operator of the Year aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 3, 2011. Each year, select Marines and civilians are recognized within the MARSOC ranks for their outstanding achievements and contributions to MARSOC . (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost

Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command Commander presents Lance Cpl. William O. Simpson with the 2010 MARSOC Marine of the Year award during an anniversary and awards ceremony, aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 3, 2011. Each year, select Marines and civilians are recognized within the MARSOC ranks for their outstanding achievements and contributions to MARSOC . (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost/Released)

Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command Commander presents Lance Cpl. William O. Simpson with the 2010 MARSOC Marine of the Year award during an anniversary and awards ceremony, aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 3, 2011. Each year, select Marines and civilians are recognized within the MARSOC ranks for their outstanding achievements and contributions to MARSOC . (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost

Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command Commander presents a custom stiletto dagger to Gunnery Sgt. Patrick J. Morse as part of his 2010 MARSOC Instructor of the Year award aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 3, 2011. Each year, select Marines and civilians are recognized within the MARSOC ranks for their outstanding achievements and contributions to MARSOC . (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost/Released)

Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command Commander presents a custom stiletto dagger to Gunnery Sgt. Patrick J. Morse as part of his 2010 MARSOC Instructor of the Year award aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 3, 2011. Each year, select Marines and civilians are recognized within the MARSOC ranks for their outstanding achievements and contributions to MARSOC . (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost

Col. Stephen Davis, Deputy Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command , presents Mr. Daniel D. Leshchyshyn with the 2010 Civilian of the Year award during an anniversary and awards ceremony, aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 3, 2011. Each year, select Marines and civilians are recognized within the MARSOC ranks for their outstanding achievements and contributions to MARSOC. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost/Released)

Col. Stephen Davis, Deputy Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command , presents Mr. Daniel D. Leshchyshyn with the 2010 Civilian of the Year award during an anniversary and awards ceremony, aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 3, 2011. Each year, select Marines and civilians are recognized within the MARSOC ranks for their outstanding achievements and contributions to MARSOC. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost/Released)

Photo by Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Cress

Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command Commander presents a custom stiletto dagger to Gunnery Sgt. Patrick J. Morse as part of his 2010 MARSOC Instructor of the Year award aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 3, 2011. Each year, select Marines and civilians are recognized within the MARSOC ranks for their outstanding achievements and contributions to MARSOC . (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost/Release

Maj. Gen. Paul E. Lefebvre, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command Commander presents a custom stiletto dagger to Gunnery Sgt. Patrick J. Morse as part of his 2010 MARSOC Instructor of the Year award aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 3, 2011. Each year, select Marines and civilians are recognized within the MARSOC ranks for their outstanding achievements and contributions to MARSOC . (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost/Release

Photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost

Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command celebrated its 5th anniversary with a cake after an anniversary and annual awards ceremony, March 3, 2011. The ceremony was held at MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion headquarters building on Camp Pendleton, Calif.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost/Released)

Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command celebrated its 5th anniversary with a cake after an anniversary and annual awards ceremony, March 3, 2011. The ceremony was held at MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion headquarters building on Camp Pendleton, Calif.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Thomas W. Provost

Participants of Marine Corps Community Service's "World Famous Mud Run," sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, take off from the starting line June 4, 2011. The 10k race is part of MCCS's Hard Corps Race Series. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo courtesy of Monroe photography/Released)

Participants of Marine Corps Community Service's "World Famous Mud Run," sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, take off from the starting line June 4, 2011. The 10k race is part of MCCS's Hard Corps Race Series. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo courtesy of Monroe photography/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

Sgt. Maj. Richard W. Ashton, former sergeant major of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, addresses a crowd of Marines, Sailors, friends and family during a post and relief ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. Sept. 30. As oncoming Sgt. Maj. Thomas F. Hall prepares to take the reins as MARSOC's top senior-enlisted, Ashton is retiring after 32 years of service.

Sgt. Maj. Richard W. Ashton, former sergeant major of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, addresses a crowd of Marines, Sailors, friends and family during a post and relief ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. Sept. 30. As oncoming Sgt. Maj. Thomas F. Hall prepares to take the reins as MARSOC's top senior-enlisted, Ashton is retiring after 32 years of service.

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

Sgt. Maj. Richard W. Ashton, former sergeant major of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, renders a salute during the playing of the National Anthem at a post and relief ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. Sept. 30. As Sgt. Maj. Thomas F. Hall prepares to take the reins as MARSOC's top senior-enlisted, Ashton is retiring after 32 years of service.

Sgt. Maj. Richard W. Ashton, former sergeant major of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, renders a salute during the playing of the National Anthem at a post and relief ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. Sept. 30. As Sgt. Maj. Thomas F. Hall prepares to take the reins as MARSOC's top senior-enlisted, Ashton is retiring after 32 years of service.

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

Sgt. Maj. Richard W. Ashton (left), former sergeant major of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, stands beside oncoming Sgt. Maj. Thomas F. Hall during a post and relief ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. Sept. 30. As Hall prepares to take the reins as MARSOC's top senior-enlisted, Ashton is retiring after 32 years of service.

Sgt. Maj. Richard W. Ashton (left), former sergeant major of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, stands beside oncoming Sgt. Maj. Thomas F. Hall during a post and relief ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. Sept. 30. As Hall prepares to take the reins as MARSOC's top senior-enlisted, Ashton is retiring after 32 years of service.

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Kelly P. Alexander (right), who recently assumed command of Joint Special Operations Task Force (Trans-Sahara), provides a mission brief to U.S. Navy Admiral Eric T. Olson (center), Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Christopher K. Haas, Commander of Special Operations Command Africa, during the admiral’s visit here June 13, 2011. Admiral Olson’s schedule for the day included meetings with leadership at SOCAFRICA and with the new commander and his staff at JSOTF-TS, which is responsible for security assistance missions throughout North and West African nations conducted under the auspices of the State Department’s Trans-Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership. Colonel Alexander is the first Marine to command JSOTF-TS, a subordinate unit of SOCAFRICA.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Kelly P. Alexander (right), who recently assumed command of Joint Special Operations Task Force (Trans-Sahara), provides a mission brief to U.S. Navy Admiral Eric T. Olson (center), Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Christopher K. Haas, Commander of Special Operations Command Africa, during the admiral’s visit here June 13, 2011. Admiral Olson’s schedule for the day included meetings with leadership at SOCAFRICA and with the new commander and his staff at JSOTF-TS, which is responsible for security assistance missions throughout North and West African nations conducted under the auspices of the State Department’s Trans-Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership. Colonel Alexander is the first Marine to command JSOTF-TS, a subordinate unit of SOCAFRICA.

Photo by N/A

Marine Corps Photo

Marine Corps Photo

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

Marine Corps Photo

Marine Corps Photo

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

Marine Corps Photo

Marine Corps Photo

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally