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Marines

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Marines with the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command helocast from a CH-47 helicopter during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment near Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 11. VBSS, which consists of maritime vessel boarding and searching, is used to combat smuggling, drug trafficking, terrorism and piracy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

Marines with the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command helocast from a CH-47 helicopter during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment near Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 11. VBSS, which consists of maritime vessel boarding and searching, is used to combat smuggling, drug trafficking, terrorism and piracy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

Marines with the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command breach a cargo container as others rappel from a CH-47 helicopter onto the deck of a mock cargo ship during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment near Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 11. VBSS, which consists of maritime vessel boarding and searching, is used to combat smuggling, drug trafficking, terrorism and piracy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

Marines with the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command breach a cargo container as others rappel from a CH-47 helicopter onto the deck of a mock cargo ship during Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment near Camp Pendleton, Calif., Dec. 11. VBSS, which consists of maritime vessel boarding and searching, is used to combat smuggling, drug trafficking, terrorism and piracy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

Colonel Steven J. Grass, commander of the Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, stands beside Col. Andrew R. Milburn as they prepare to exchange command during a ceremony at MARSOC headquarters aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. Dec. 17, 2012. MSOR, which consists of a headquarters company and three battalions, trains, equips and deploys Marines and Sailors around the world in support of SOCOM operations (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released).

Colonel Steven J. Grass, commander of the Marine Special Operations Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, stands beside Col. Andrew R. Milburn as they prepare to exchange command during a ceremony at MARSOC headquarters aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. Dec. 17, 2012. MSOR, which consists of a headquarters company and three battalions, trains, equips and deploys Marines and Sailors around the world in support of SOCOM operations (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released).

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.- (From left to right) Hospitalman 1st Class Patrick B. Quill, SSgt. Frankie J. Shinost, Maj. James T. Rose and Sgt. William B. Soutra of 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, stand at attention after being awarded the nation's second and third highest awards for combat valor by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus at 1st MSOB headquarters aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif. Dec. 3. Soutra was awarded the Navy Cross, and Rose, Shinost and Quill were each awarded the Silver Star for extraordinary heroism exhibited during a combat mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan nearly two years ago (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released).

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.- (From left to right) Hospitalman 1st Class Patrick B. Quill, SSgt. Frankie J. Shinost, Maj. James T. Rose and Sgt. William B. Soutra of 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, stand at attention after being awarded the nation's second and third highest awards for combat valor by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus at 1st MSOB headquarters aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif. Dec. 3. Soutra was awarded the Navy Cross, and Rose, Shinost and Quill were each awarded the Silver Star for extraordinary heroism exhibited during a combat mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan nearly two years ago (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released).

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.- (From left to right) Hospitalman 1st Class Patrick B. Quill, SSgt. Frankie J. Shinost, Maj. James T. Rose and Sgt. William B. Soutra of 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, stand at attention after being awarded the nation's second and third highest awards for combat valor by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus at 1st MSOB headquarters aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif. Dec. 3. Soutra was awarded the Navy Cross, and Rose, Shinost and Quill were each awarded the Silver Star for extraordinary heroism exhibited during a combat mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan nearly two years ago (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released).

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.- (From left to right) Hospitalman 1st Class Patrick B. Quill, SSgt. Frankie J. Shinost, Maj. James T. Rose and Sgt. William B. Soutra of 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, stand at attention after being awarded the nation's second and third highest awards for combat valor by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus at 1st MSOB headquarters aboard Camp Pendleton, Calif. Dec. 3. Soutra was awarded the Navy Cross, and Rose, Shinost and Quill were each awarded the Silver Star for extraordinary heroism exhibited during a combat mission in Helmand Province, Afghanistan nearly two years ago (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released).

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

A Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command patrols through poppy fields in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand Province April 3. Marines with MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they commanded the Special Operations Task Force - West and oversaw one of Afghanistan's bloodiest regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

A Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command patrols through poppy fields in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand Province April 3. Marines with MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they commanded the Special Operations Task Force - West and oversaw one of Afghanistan's bloodiest regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

Photo by Kyle McNally

A Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command provides security during a joint patrol with Afghan National Army Special Forces soldiers in Watan village, Helmand Province April 3. The Marines in Watan are tasked with establishing a permanent foothold and supporting the development of governance in the region, which has historically been a hotbed of insurgent activity. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Not Released)

A Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command provides security during a joint patrol with Afghan National Army Special Forces soldiers in Watan village, Helmand Province April 3. The Marines in Watan are tasked with establishing a permanent foothold and supporting the development of governance in the region, which has historically been a hotbed of insurgent activity. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Not Released)

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

Marines with the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command patrol through a compound in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand Province April 3. Marines with MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they commanded the Special Operations Task Force - West and oversaw one of Afghanistan's bloodiest regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Not Released)

Marines with the 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command patrol through a compound in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand Province April 3. Marines with MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they commanded the Special Operations Task Force - West and oversaw one of Afghanistan's bloodiest regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Not Released)

Photo by Kyle McNally

Captain Derek Ray, a logistics officer with the new Marine Special Operations Logistics Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, unfurls MSOLB's guidon during its activation ceremony aboard MARSOC headquarters, Camp Lejeune, NC, Nov. 15. Approximately 800 new Marines will arrive at MARSOC's new support components by 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

Captain Derek Ray, a logistics officer with the new Marine Special Operations Logistics Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, unfurls MSOLB's guidon during its activation ceremony aboard MARSOC headquarters, Camp Lejeune, NC, Nov. 15. Approximately 800 new Marines will arrive at MARSOC's new support components by 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

A Purple Heart and two Bronze Star medals are displayed at U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command headquarters before being awarded posthumously to the family of Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan W. Gifford aboard Camp Lejeune, NC Nov. 15. Gifford, who was killed in Afghanistan in July, was honored with two other fallen MARSOC Marines and a Sailor during a celebration of life ceremony, where friends, families and fellow servicemembers gathered to pay tribute to those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony Carter/Released)

A Purple Heart and two Bronze Star medals are displayed at U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command headquarters before being awarded posthumously to the family of Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan W. Gifford aboard Camp Lejeune, NC Nov. 15. Gifford, who was killed in Afghanistan in July, was honored with two other fallen MARSOC Marines and a Sailor during a celebration of life ceremony, where friends, families and fellow servicemembers gathered to pay tribute to those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony Carter/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Anthony Carter

A commando with 9th Special Operations Kandak, Afghan National Army, watches a controlled detonation during counter improvised explosive device training with Marines from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command in Herat province, Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2012. Afghan National Security Forces have been taking the lead in security operations, with coalition forces as mentors, to bring security and stability to the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau/Released)

A commando with 9th Special Operations Kandak, Afghan National Army, watches a controlled detonation during counter improvised explosive device training with Marines from U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command in Herat province, Afghanistan, Nov. 12, 2012. Afghan National Security Forces have been taking the lead in security operations, with coalition forces as mentors, to bring security and stability to the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau

Marines with Special Operations Task Force West escort a birthday cake to the front of a ceremony on Camp Calero, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. 10. Marines of SOTF-West held a birthday ceremony in honor of the 237th Marine Corps birthday. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Chadwick de Bree/Released)

Marines with Special Operations Task Force West escort a birthday cake to the front of a ceremony on Camp Calero, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. 10. Marines of SOTF-West held a birthday ceremony in honor of the 237th Marine Corps birthday. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Chadwick de Bree/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Chadwick de Bree

A Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command fires a shoulder-fired multi-purpoe assault weapon-disposable during live fire training on a base in Herat province, Afghanistan, Nov. 9, 2012. Afghan National Security Forces have been taking the lead in security operations, with coalition forces as mentors, to bring security and stability to the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau/Released)

A Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command fires a shoulder-fired multi-purpoe assault weapon-disposable during live fire training on a base in Herat province, Afghanistan, Nov. 9, 2012. Afghan National Security Forces have been taking the lead in security operations, with coalition forces as mentors, to bring security and stability to the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Lawrence Huggins (left), commander, Special Operations Task Force - West, speaks with Maj. Gen. Taj Mohammed Jahed, commander, 207th Afghan National Army Corps, before a ribbon cutting ceremony for new facilities on 9th Commando's base in Herat, Afghanistan, Oct. 11, 2012. Afghan National Security Forces, partnered with coalition forces, are preparing to be the lead security force for the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Lawrence Huggins (left), commander, Special Operations Task Force - West, speaks with Maj. Gen. Taj Mohammed Jahed, commander, 207th Afghan National Army Corps, before a ribbon cutting ceremony for new facilities on 9th Commando's base in Herat, Afghanistan, Oct. 11, 2012. Afghan National Security Forces, partnered with coalition forces, are preparing to be the lead security force for the people of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau/Released)

Photo by Sgt. Pete Thibodeau

Corporal Denver C. Creasey (second from left), an automotive maintenance technician with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, poses for a photo with fellow recipients of the John Archer Lejeune Award for Bravery at Sywanyk's Scarlet and Gold club in Jacksonville, NC Oct. 26. Creasey, who was recognized as part of the 6th Annual American Hero Awards, ran into a burning building to alert sleeping Marines of a fire. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nik S. Phongsisattanak/Released)

Corporal Denver C. Creasey (second from left), an automotive maintenance technician with 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, poses for a photo with fellow recipients of the John Archer Lejeune Award for Bravery at Sywanyk's Scarlet and Gold club in Jacksonville, NC Oct. 26. Creasey, who was recognized as part of the 6th Annual American Hero Awards, ran into a burning building to alert sleeping Marines of a fire. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Nik S. Phongsisattanak/Released)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Nik S. Phongsisattanak

A Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command fires an MK-47 automatic grenade launcher at insurgents in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand Province April 3. Marines with MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they commanded the Special Operations Task Force - West and oversaw one of Afghanistan's bloodiest regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

A Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command fires an MK-47 automatic grenade launcher at insurgents in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand Province April 3. Marines with MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they commanded the Special Operations Task Force - West and oversaw one of Afghanistan's bloodiest regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

A Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command provides security at a landing zone in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand Province March 28. Marines with MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they commanded the Special Operations Task Force - West and oversaw one of Afghanistan's bloodiest regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

A Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command provides security at a landing zone in Nahr-e Saraj district, Helmand Province March 28. Marines with MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they commanded the Special Operations Task Force - West and oversaw one of Afghanistan's bloodiest regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command provide security during a two-day presence patrol with Afghan Commandos in Farah province Feb. 27. Marines with MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they commanded the Special Operations Task Force - West and oversaw one of Afghanistan's bloodiest regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command provide security during a two-day presence patrol with Afghan Commandos in Farah province Feb. 27. Marines with MARSOC's 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they commanded the Special Operations Task Force - West and oversaw one of Afghanistan's bloodiest regions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

Marines and Sailors with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command and their families start off on a 3-mile run at Topsail Beach, NC Nov. 3. The runners gathered Saturday morning to commemorate MARSOC's fallen heroes and to show support for their families. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

Marines and Sailors with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command and their families start off on a 3-mile run at Topsail Beach, NC Nov. 3. The runners gathered Saturday morning to commemorate MARSOC's fallen heroes and to show support for their families. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally

Master Gunnery Sgt. George Lee of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command prepares to set out on the first joint ride of MARSOC's various motorcycle clubs Oct. 31, 2012 aboard Camp Lejeune, NC. "First and foremost, this outing was about safety," said Master Gunnery Sgt. George Lee, a rider with 15 years' experience. "It was also about camaraderie and mentorship." The riders drove to Wilmington for a tour of the USS North Carolina and to explore local hobby shops. Experience among the motorcyclists ranged from three months to upwards of 30 years. "It was definitely a worthwhile experience," said Lance Cpl. Roderick Kim, a small craft mechanic at MARSOC who is new to riding. "I learned how to ride with a group, learned how to space myself. It was good training."

Master Gunnery Sgt. George Lee of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command prepares to set out on the first joint ride of MARSOC's various motorcycle clubs Oct. 31, 2012 aboard Camp Lejeune, NC. "First and foremost, this outing was about safety," said Master Gunnery Sgt. George Lee, a rider with 15 years' experience. "It was also about camaraderie and mentorship." The riders drove to Wilmington for a tour of the USS North Carolina and to explore local hobby shops. Experience among the motorcyclists ranged from three months to upwards of 30 years. "It was definitely a worthwhile experience," said Lance Cpl. Roderick Kim, a small craft mechanic at MARSOC who is new to riding. "I learned how to ride with a group, learned how to space myself. It was good training."

Photo by Cpl. Kyle McNally