CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN – Children toss bean bags during a Japan-U.S. Sports Exchange hosted by the Okinawa Defense Bureau Feb. 12 aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. - CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN – Children toss bean bags during a Japan-U.S. Sports Exchange hosted by the Okinawa Defense Bureau Feb. 12 aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. Approximately 200 children and volunteers from Nakagawa Elementary School and Bechtel Elementary School attended the event, filling the Camp Hansen Gymnasium. They also played in a three legged relay race and five rope tug-of-war. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Danielle R. Prentice)

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan— Judges and competitors pose after a Food Service Specialist of the Quarter Competition Oct. 31 aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. - CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan— Judges and competitors pose after a Food Service Specialist of the Quarter Competition Oct. 31 aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. Leaders of Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan, were on the judging panel during this competition. Food service specialist Marines from across MCIPAC competed in this event and only three were chosen as finalists. These competitions highlight the professionalism and skill of the Marines who competed.

The cosplayers pose for a photo Oct. 15, awaiting the announcement of the winner of the cosplay contest at Comic Con on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. More than 25 attendees participated in the cosplay contest dressed as characters from video games, comic books and movies. The contest featured participants dressed as characters from video games such as Kingdom Hearts, Fallout and Super Mario. There were also characters from movies and television shows such as Harry Potter and My Neighbor Totoro. Many of the participants’ costumes were made by hand. The free event was open for attendance to Status of Forces Agreement members and the local Okinawa community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James / Released) - The cosplayers pose for a photo Oct. 15, awaiting the announcement of the winner of the cosplay contest at Comic Con on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. More than 25 attendees participated in the cosplay contest dressed as characters from video games, comic books and movies. The contest featured participants dressed as characters from video games such as Kingdom Hearts, Fallout and Super Mario. There were also characters from movies and television shows such as Harry Potter and My Neighbor Totoro. Many of the participants’ costumes were made by hand. The free event was open for attendance to Status of Forces Agreement members and the local Okinawa community. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James / Released)

Competitors in the Futenma Mess Hall Chef of the Month competition pose for photos with the senior enlisted judges after receiving awards for their performance July 22 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The monthly competition is an opportunity for the Marines who are performing well in the workplace and seeking opportunities to better themselves through merit boards and other events. During the competition, the contestants must plan a full multi-course meal, cook the dishes and serve it to a panel of judges who evaluate their meal based on taste, appearance, originality and the Marines’ oral presentations explaining each course. - Competitors in the Futenma Mess Hall Chef of the Month competition pose for photos with the senior enlisted judges after receiving awards for their performance July 22 on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan. The monthly competition is an opportunity for the Marines who are performing well in the workplace and seeking opportunities to better themselves through merit boards and other events. During the competition, the contestants must plan a full multi-course meal, cook the dishes and serve it to a panel of judges who evaluate their meal based on taste, appearance, originality and the Marines’ oral presentations explaining each course.

Marines take part in a three-mile motivational run Nov. 10 around Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. Each battalion sang cadence that has been passed down through the generations. The regiment ran with the Marine Corps flag and the American flag to express their motivation. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Douglas D. Simons/Released - Marines take part in a three-mile motivational run Nov. 10 around Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan. Each battalion sang cadence that has been passed down through the generations. The regiment ran with the Marine Corps flag and the American flag to express their motivation. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Douglas D. Simons/Released

Marines and airmen participate in the “dizzy izzy” portion of a relay during a joint field meet Sept. 12 aboard Camp Hansen. During the dizzy izzy, participants must disorient themselves by bending at the waist, placing their foreheads on a pole and spinning in 10 clockwise circles. Once disoriented, they must sprint back to the beginning of the relay. The field meet brought Marines and airmen, enrolled in the sergeants course at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy aboard Camp Hansen, and airmen, enrolled in the Erwin Professional Military Education Center Noncommissioned Officer Academy on Kadena Air Base, together through rigorous physical training and teambuilding opportunities. - Marines and airmen participate in the “dizzy izzy” portion of a relay during a joint field meet Sept. 12 aboard Camp Hansen. During the dizzy izzy, participants must disorient themselves by bending at the waist, placing their foreheads on a pole and spinning in 10 clockwise circles. Once disoriented, they must sprint back to the beginning of the relay. The field meet brought Marines and airmen, enrolled in the sergeants course at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy aboard Camp Hansen, and airmen, enrolled in the Erwin Professional Military Education Center Noncommissioned Officer Academy on Kadena Air Base, together through rigorous physical training and teambuilding opportunities.

Two children compete in a four-by-100 meter relay at the Kin Athletic Field in Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan May 9, during the Kin Town Friendship Track and Field Meet. The meet was organized by the Kin Town schools and the mayor of Kin Town to reach beyond the language barrier between the Okinawa residents and service members’ families through athletic events, according to Takayuki Kayo, the Camp Hansen community relations specialist and an Okinawa City, Okinawa, native. The activities encouraged endurance and teamwork between the Okinawa children and American children. (Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/ Released) - Two children compete in a four-by-100 meter relay at the Kin Athletic Field in Kin Town, Okinawa, Japan May 9, during the Kin Town Friendship Track and Field Meet. The meet was organized by the Kin Town schools and the mayor of Kin Town to reach beyond the language barrier between the Okinawa residents and service members’ families through athletic events, according to Takayuki Kayo, the Camp Hansen community relations specialist and an Okinawa City, Okinawa, native. The activities encouraged endurance and teamwork between the Okinawa children and American children. (Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/ Released)

Motor transport Marines go through inventory Jan. 6 on Camp Kinser as part of routine maintenance. “Our maintenance readiness directly affects the ability to fight tonight,” said Lt. Natasha J. Holm, the maintenance management officer with Headquarters Regiment, from Zumbrota, Minnesota. Marines pictured are with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Motor transport Marines go through inventory Jan. 6 on Camp Kinser as part of routine maintenance. “Our maintenance readiness directly affects the ability to fight tonight,” said Lt. Natasha J. Holm, the maintenance management officer with Headquarters Regiment, from Zumbrota, Minnesota. Marines pictured are with 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Lance Cpl. Austin Nelson, front, races, Sgt. Joshua Houck to reassemble a MK 19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher Nov. 14 while participating in the weapons relay during the Shanghai Commanders’ Cup at Camp Schwab. The weapons relay tested teams of Marines to disassemble and reassemble six weapons ranging from the smallest, M9A1 9 mm service pistol, and progressing to the largest, MK 19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. Nelson is from West Jordan, Utah, and a machine-gunner with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Houck is from Rochester, New York, and a machine-gunner with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, currently assigned to 4th Marines. - Lance Cpl. Austin Nelson, front, races, Sgt. Joshua Houck to reassemble a MK 19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher Nov. 14 while participating in the weapons relay during the Shanghai Commanders’ Cup at Camp Schwab. The weapons relay tested teams of Marines to disassemble and reassemble six weapons ranging from the smallest, M9A1 9 mm service pistol, and progressing to the largest, MK 19 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. Nelson is from West Jordan, Utah, and a machine-gunner with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. Houck is from Rochester, New York, and a machine-gunner with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, currently assigned to 4th Marines.

Marines cheer on their teammates during a pugil stick bout Nov. 14 on Camp Hansen’s Parade Field during a 3rd Intelligence Battalion field meet. The pugil stick competition served as the main event of the field meet, which drew a lot of excitement from a loud crowd. The Marines are with 3rd Intel. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Marines cheer on their teammates during a pugil stick bout Nov. 14 on Camp Hansen’s Parade Field during a 3rd Intelligence Battalion field meet. The pugil stick competition served as the main event of the field meet, which drew a lot of excitement from a loud crowd. The Marines are with 3rd Intel. Bn., III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.