Second Lieutenant Tyler R. Watkins defends his zone as Coastal Carolina University’s linebacker during the final game of the regular season, facing off against Charleston Southern University at Brooks Stadium, Conway, S.C., Oct. 25, 2014. Watkins applied everything he learned playing football to his training at Officer Candidates School aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. He graduated OCS with Officer Candidate Class 222, which had the most OCS graduates since 2009, on Aug. 6, 2016. Due to injuries sustained during OCS, he is temporarily assigned to the Plans and Research section at Marine Corps Recruiting Command aboard MCB Quantico. Watkins hopes to return to training in March 2017. - Second Lieutenant Tyler R. Watkins defends his zone as Coastal Carolina University’s linebacker during the final game of the regular season, facing off against Charleston Southern University at Brooks Stadium, Conway, S.C., Oct. 25, 2014. Watkins applied everything he learned playing football to his training at Officer Candidates School aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. He graduated OCS with Officer Candidate Class 222, which had the most OCS graduates since 2009, on Aug. 6, 2016. Due to injuries sustained during OCS, he is temporarily assigned to the Plans and Research section at Marine Corps Recruiting Command aboard MCB Quantico. Watkins hopes to return to training in March 2017.
Private Joshua D. Zook reunites with his parents, Mark and Karen Zook, Oct. 14, 2016, after 13 weeks of recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Mark and Karen are a Gold Star family. According to the National Gold Star Family Registry, the Department of Defense (DoD) distributes a Gold Star Lapel Button, also referred to as the Gold Star lapel, to members of the immediate family of a fallen service member. (Courtesy Photo) - Private Joshua D. Zook reunites with his parents, Mark and Karen Zook, Oct. 14, 2016, after 13 weeks of recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Mark and Karen are a Gold Star family. According to the National Gold Star Family Registry, the Department of Defense (DoD) distributes a Gold Star Lapel Button, also referred to as the Gold Star lapel, to members of the immediate family of a fallen service member. (Courtesy Photo)
Recruit Edwin Morales, Platoon 3090, Company M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, “breaks the seal” on his M50 joint service general purpose mask while in the gas chamber aboard PageField, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. Morales was recruited by Staff Sgt. Mario Sanchez from Recruiting Substation Fort Myers, Recruiting Station Fort Lauderdale. Morales, a native of Cape Coral, Florida, joined the Marine Corps to become a combat engineer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John-Paul Imbody/Released) - Recruit Edwin Morales, Platoon 3090, Company M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, “breaks the seal” on his M50 joint service general purpose mask while in the gas chamber aboard Page Field, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. Morales was recruited by Staff Sgt. Mario Sanchez from Recruiting Substation Fort Myers, Recruiting Station Fort Lauderdale. Morales, a native of Cape Coral, Florida, joined the Marine Corps to become a combat engineer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. John-Paul Imbody/Released)
Private Daniel Pritchett, recent graduate of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, admires a coin and ring given to him from his dad Kenneth Pritchett on June 20, 2014 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Both son and father can now be called United States Marines. - Private Daniel Pritchett, recent graduate of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, admires a coin and ring given to him from his dad Kenneth Pritchett on June 20, 2014 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Both son and father can now be called United States Marines.
Sergeant Adam Gullickson, a Recruiting Station Columbia recruiter, presents a Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl jersey to high school senior Nolan Kelleher during a pep rally at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Sept. 20, 2013. Kelleher was selected to participate in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in January in Carson, Calif. Kelleher plays offensive guard on the Wando High School varsity football team and is ranked a four-star recruit by ESPN. He has had more than 30 scholarship offers, but committed to play at the University of Florida. (Official U.S. Marine Photo by Cpl. Gabrielle Bustos) - Sergeant Adam Gullickson, a Recruiting Station Columbia recruiter, presents a Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl jersey to high school senior Nolan Kelleher during a pep rally at Wando High School in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Sept. 20, 2013. Kelleher was selected to participate in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in January in Carson, Calif. Kelleher plays offensive guard on the Wando High School varsity football team and is ranked a four-star recruit by ESPN. He has had more than 30 scholarship offers, but committed to play at the University of Florida. (Official U.S. Marine Photo by Cpl. Gabrielle Bustos)
Marine Corps Sgt. Lesley Reed (left) runs with officer candidate Candice Heizmann during a physical training session April 18, 2013. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Heizmann has already completed half of OCS through the Platoon Leaders Course in 2010 and will return to finish her training this summer. Reed has volunteered to mentor the future officer to better prepare her to be a leader of Marines. - Marine Corps Sgt. Lesley Reed (left) runs with officer candidate Candice Heizmann during a physical training session April 18, 2013. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Heizmann has already completed half of OCS through the Platoon Leaders Course in 2010 and will return to finish her training this summer. Reed has volunteered to mentor the future officer to better prepare her to be a leader of Marines.
Marine Sgt. Simon Gonzalez, a recruiter with Marine Corps Recruiting Substation Perrine, speaks in front of the Mexican American Council after receiving the Hometown Heroes Award April 27, 2013. Gonzalez, who grew up in the migrant farmer community of south Florida, received the Hometown Heroes award as a tribute not only of his three combat tours to Afghanistan and Iraq, but as a symbol of his dedication as a role model for the migrant community. - Marine Sgt. Simon Gonzalez, a recruiter with Marine Corps Recruiting Substation Perrine, speaks in front of the Mexican American Council after receiving the Hometown Heroes Award April 27, 2013. Gonzalez, who grew up in the migrant farmer community of south Florida, received the Hometown Heroes award as a tribute not only of his three combat tours to Afghanistan and Iraq, but as a symbol of his dedication as a role model for the migrant community.
Lieutenant Colonel Bennett Walsh, executive officer of 6th Marine Corps District, stands with his daughter and a volunteer dressed up as Obi-Wan Kenobi during Relay for Life at Battery Creek High School in Beaufort, S.C., May 17, 2013. Many volunteers dressed up in different costumes for the event, with the theme being a Fantasy World without Cancer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Stanley Cao) - Lieutenant Colonel Bennett Walsh, executive officer of 6th Marine Corps District, stands with his daughter and a volunteer dressed up as Obi-Wan Kenobi during Relay for Life at Battery Creek High School in Beaufort, S.C., May 17, 2013. Many volunteers dressed up in different costumes for the event, with the theme being a Fantasy World without Cancer. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Stanley Cao)
Marines with Recruiting Station Fort Lauderdale clear south Florida beaches of hazardous debris April 24, 2013 as part of a partnership with Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation. Beginning this May, Marines with Recruiting Substations West Palm Beach and Delray Beach will be a prominent sight as they clear and clean area beaches of trash and debris washed ashore by tides or left behind by beach goers. - Marines with Recruiting Station Fort Lauderdale clear south Florida beaches of hazardous debris April 24, 2013 as part of a partnership with Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation. Beginning this May, Marines with Recruiting Substations West Palm Beach and Delray Beach will be a prominent sight as they clear and clean area beaches of trash and debris washed ashore by tides or left behind by beach goers.
Marine Pfc. Christopher G. Reynolds, 19, graduated Marine Corps Recruit Training, aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., on April 12, 2013. Reynolds lost a total of 75 pounds in his journey to become a Marine. (Courtesy Photo) - Marine Pfc. Christopher G. Reynolds, 19, graduated Marine Corps Recruit Training, aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C., on April 12, 2013. Reynolds lost a total of 75 pounds in his journey to become a Marine. (Courtesy Photo)
Future Marines with Recruiting Station Fort Lauderdale gather in a formation for their morning warm up during the annual field meet April 20, 2013. Hundreds of future Marines participated in various Marine Corps inspired competitions like squad pull ups, crunches and a knowledge test designed to give them a taste of boot camp. - Future Marines with Recruiting Station Fort Lauderdale gather in a formation for their morning warm up during the annual field meet April 20, 2013. Hundreds of future Marines participated in various Marine Corps inspired competitions like squad pull ups, crunches and a knowledge test designed to give them a taste of boot camp.
Second Lieutenant Olaolu Ogunyemi wears the iconic “Dress Blue’s” for the first time as he prepares to begin his career as the Marine Corps’ most recently commissioned officer. Ogunyemi, who is the first Marine officer commissioned from Grambling State University in more than three decades, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems Dec. 14, 2012. He joins a distinguished heritage of African-American officers started by Frederick C. Branch, the Corps’ first Black officer. - Second Lieutenant Olaolu Ogunyemi wears the iconic “Dress Blue’s” for the first time as he prepares to begin his career as the Marine Corps’ most recently commissioned officer. Ogunyemi, who is the first Marine officer commissioned from Grambling State University in more than three decades, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems Dec. 14, 2012. He joins a distinguished heritage of African-American officers started by Frederick C. Branch, the Corps’ first Black officer.