An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Official websites use .mil

A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.

Secure .mil websites use HTTPS

A lock () or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Marines

Photos

Filter

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Merritt, an aerospace ground equipment specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, gives a class on the capabilities of an A/M32A-60A generator during a training exercise at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 12, 2023. The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Merritt, an aerospace ground equipment specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, gives a class on the capabilities of an A/M32A-60A generator during a training exercise at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 12, 2023. The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Photo by Cpl. Darien Wright

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Merritt, center, an aerospace ground equipment specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, gives a class on the capabilities of an A/M32A-60A generator during a training exercise at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 12, 2023. The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Ryan Merritt, center, an aerospace ground equipment specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, gives a class on the capabilities of an A/M32A-60A generator during a training exercise at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 12, 2023. The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Photo by Cpl. Darien Wright

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Capt. Atsushi Kanda, an air traffic controller with Air Traffic Control Group, Air Support Command, uses a PVS-14 night vision monocular device during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Capt. Atsushi Kanda, an air traffic controller with Air Traffic Control Group, Air Support Command, uses a PVS-14 night vision monocular device during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Photo by Cpl. Darien Wright

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Capt. Atsushi Kanda, an air traffic controller with Air Traffic Control Service Group, Air Support Command, uses a PVS-14 night vision monocular device during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Capt. Atsushi Kanda, an air traffic controller with Air Traffic Control Service Group, Air Support Command, uses a PVS-14 night vision monocular device during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Photo by Cpl. Darien Wright

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, left, shows Japan Air Self-Defense Force Capt. Atsushi Kanda, an air traffic controller with Air Traffic Control Group, Air Support Command, how to optimize Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, left, shows Japan Air Self-Defense Force Capt. Atsushi Kanda, an air traffic controller with Air Traffic Control Group, Air Support Command, how to optimize Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Photo by Cpl. Darien Wright

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kalonje Gordon, a distribution management specialist with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office, adjusts the settings on a pair of Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kalonje Gordon, a distribution management specialist with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office, adjusts the settings on a pair of Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Photo by Cpl. Darien Wright

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, left, assists U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kalonje Gordon, a distribution management specialist with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office, prepare a pair of Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, left, assists U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kalonje Gordon, a distribution management specialist with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office, prepare a pair of Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Photo by Cpl. Darien Wright

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, left, assists U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kalonje Gordon, a distribution management specialist with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office, equip a pair of Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, left, assists U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kalonje Gordon, a distribution management specialist with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office, equip a pair of Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Photo by Cpl. Darien Wright

A pair of Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles are staged during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023. The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

A pair of Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles are staged during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023. The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Photo by Cpl. Darien Wright

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, center, shows U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Abel Gamez, a distribution management specialist with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office, left, how to operate Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, center, shows U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Abel Gamez, a distribution management specialist with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office, left, how to operate Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Photo by Cpl. Darien Wright

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, shows U.S. Marines with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office how to operate Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, shows U.S. Marines with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office how to operate Gen III AN/AVS-9 night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Photo by Cpl. Darien Wright

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, right, shows U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Abel Gamez, a distribution management specialist with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office, how to operate Gen III AN/AVS-9-night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, right, shows U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Abel Gamez, a distribution management specialist with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office, how to operate Gen III AN/AVS-9-night vision goggles during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Photo by Cpl. Darien Wright

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, left, shows U.S. Marines with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office how to operate PVS-14-night vision monocular devices during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew Lothrop, an air transportation specialist with the U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, left, shows U.S. Marines with the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Distribution Management Office how to operate PVS-14-night vision monocular devices during a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 13, 2023.  The U.S. Air Force 36th Contingency Response Group conducted joint training that focused on equipment and process interoperability in a contested logistics environment with the MCAS Iwakuni Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Logistics Department and members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien Wright)

Photo by Cpl. Darien Wright

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Phuchung Nguyen, a combat photographer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, low crawls during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Phuchung Nguyen, a combat photographer with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, low crawls during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Mikael Marcy, a brig supervisor with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, instructs a group of Marines during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Mikael Marcy, a brig supervisor with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, instructs a group of Marines during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Phillip Sandifer Jr, a senior air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, top, strikes Cpl. Zaedin Salerno, an aviation ground support equipment technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, with a pugil stick during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Phillip Sandifer Jr, a senior air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, top, strikes Cpl. Zaedin Salerno, an aviation ground support equipment technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11, with a pugil stick during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Phillip Sandifer Jr, a senior air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, left, and Cpl. Jessica GarciaLopez, a supply chain and materiel management specialist with Marine Aircraft Group 12, middle, climb stairs during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Phillip Sandifer Jr, a senior air traffic controller with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, left, and Cpl. Jessica GarciaLopez, a supply chain and materiel management specialist with Marine Aircraft Group 12, middle, climb stairs during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Radoslaw Szewczyk, an engineer assistant with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, left, Sgt. Ja’len Harris, a distribution management specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, middle, and Cpl. Johnathan Culcayveletanga, an air traffic controller with H&HS, MCAS Iwakuni, conduct a patrol during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Radoslaw Szewczyk, an engineer assistant with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, left, Sgt. Ja’len Harris, a distribution management specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (H&HS), Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, middle, and Cpl. Johnathan Culcayveletanga, an air traffic controller with H&HS, MCAS Iwakuni, conduct a patrol during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tre Lessard, a correctional specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, crawls underneath the Marines in his squad during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Tre Lessard, a correctional specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, crawls underneath the Marines in his squad during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault

Four U.S. Marines stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, spar with various simulated weapons during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Four U.S. Marines stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, spar with various simulated weapons during the culminating event of a Marine Corps martial arts instructor course at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 14, 2023. Graduates of the 15-day course become qualified Martial Arts Instructors, empowered to independently lead and facilitate courses, assisting lower-belt Marines in their progression towards higher belts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault)

Photo by Lance Cpl. Colin Thibault