A M16 A4 service rifle is broken down for an inspection and cleaning Aug. 9, 2018 at the Camp Foster armory, Okinawa, Japan. - A M16 A4 service rifle is broken down for an inspection and cleaning Aug. 9, 2018 at the Camp Foster armory, Okinawa, Japan. Small arms repair technicians maintain and repair weapons used by Marines. Without the proper maintenance small arms repair technicians conduct, the safety of the weapon, and the Marine operator, are at risk. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kelcey Seymour)

KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, Japan – Representatives from local government agencies listen to trial procedures and read through information packets June 29 during a mock trial on Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. - KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, Japan – Representatives from local government agencies listen to trial procedures and read through information packets June 29 during a mock trial on Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. Service members from all U.S. military branches in Okinawa came together to share their knowledge of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice with local government agencies. The trial began with a discussion of the Military Code of Uniformed Justice and the different styles of punishment, and ended with a simulated scenario. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Kelcey Seymour)

Students sit around a table practicing calligraphy - CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan – Kumiko Tamashiko, middle, teaches Pfc. Nicholas N. Garcia, right, how to hold a calligraphy brush at the library Jan. 8 aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. As Tamashiko taught the Marines how to write in the three Japanese languages hiragana, katakana, and kanji she stressed the importance of taking your time. Japanese calligraphers believe that the speed, acceleration and deceleration of the writer’s moves and turns give spirit and intention to the individual characters. Tamashiko is a library technician at the Camp Hansen Library. Garcia is a transmissions system operator with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S Marine photo by Lance Corporal Tayler P. Schwamb)

Cpl. Hector Fortis poses for a photo - CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Cpl. Hector Fortis poses for a photo Nov. 2 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Fortis is a Bayamon, Puerto Rico, native, who draws his compassion from his childhood experiences. Fortis’s dedication to small unit leadership is well-known as he works long hours refining his Marine’s skills. Fortis is an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. (U.S Marine photo by Lance Corporal Tayler P. Schwamb)

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Cyber Security should be practiced by the military community to protect their information. - CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Cyber Security should be practiced by the military community to protect their information. Spyware, malware, and trackers can be used to hack into a device. Ensure protection is up-to-date and be alert for anything suspicious. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Kelcey Seymour)

Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the Okinawa area coordinator and commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, announces the planned resumption of normal off-duty liberty policy for U.S. service members on Okinawa, June 24, 2016, with slight modifications. - Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, the Okinawa area coordinator and commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, announces the planned resumption of normal off-duty liberty policy for U.S. service members on Okinawa, June 24, 2016, with slight modifications.

CAMP MCTUREOUS, OKINAWA, Japan – Staff Sgt. Paul I. Mead answers students’ questions about explosive ordnance disposal May 2 after a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Week EOD demonstration at Bechtel Elementary School on Camp McTureous, Okinawa, Japan. STEM Week fosters students’ career exploration and everyday observation of how science, technology, engineering and mathematics can be applied in everyday life as well as in future careers paths. During the EOD demonstration, Marines showed the students how they use robots and protective equipment. After the presentation students donned the protective equipment and underwent physical fitness challenges. Mead is an EOD technician with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, and a Heavener, Oklahoma, native. - CAMP MCTUREOUS, OKINAWA, Japan – Staff Sgt. Paul I. Mead answers students’ questions about explosive ordnance disposal May 2 after a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics Week EOD demonstration at Bechtel Elementary School on Camp McTureous, Okinawa, Japan. STEM Week fosters students’ career exploration and everyday observation of how science, technology, engineering and mathematics can be applied in everyday life as well as in future careers paths. During the EOD demonstration, Marines showed the students how they use robots and protective equipment. After the presentation students donned the protective equipment and underwent physical fitness challenges. Mead is an EOD technician with Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, and a Heavener, Oklahoma, native.

Staff Sgt. James M. Fehr, a San Manuel, Arizona native, poses for a photo on range 18 aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. Fehr traveled to Okinawa from Quantico, Virginia to coach Marines participating in a three-gun shooting competition where Marines shot the M9 pistol, M1014 shotgun and the M16A4 service rifle. “Our goal is to make the Marines into better warfighters,” said Fehr. “Everyone benefits from going out and training in their weapon systems.” Fehr is a competitor, instructor and staff non-commissioned officer in charge of the U.S. the Marine Corps Combat Shooting Team. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James/ Released) - Staff Sgt. James M. Fehr, a San Manuel, Arizona native, poses for a photo on range 18 aboard Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. Fehr traveled to Okinawa from Quantico, Virginia to coach Marines participating in a three-gun shooting competition where Marines shot the M9 pistol, M1014 shotgun and the M16A4 service rifle. “Our goal is to make the Marines into better warfighters,” said Fehr. “Everyone benefits from going out and training in their weapon systems.” Fehr is a competitor, instructor and staff non-commissioned officer in charge of the U.S. the Marine Corps Combat Shooting Team. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James/ Released)

Pfc. Francisco Barajas sends a message to his mother during the 2015 Armed Forces Classic Nov. 14 at the Foster Fieldhouse aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. This marked the fourth year the Armed Forces Classic was held and the second time it was played in East Asia. The two teams battled in a heated, back and fourth game with Pitt leading 37-35 after twenty minutes of game time until the game was called off due to slippery playing conditions. Barajas, an Underwood, Iowa, native, is an automotive maintenance technician with 3rd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Pfc. Francisco Barajas sends a message to his mother during the 2015 Armed Forces Classic Nov. 14 at the Foster Fieldhouse aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. This marked the fourth year the Armed Forces Classic was held and the second time it was played in East Asia. The two teams battled in a heated, back and fourth game with Pitt leading 37-35 after twenty minutes of game time until the game was called off due to slippery playing conditions. Barajas, an Underwood, Iowa, native, is an automotive maintenance technician with 3rd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Due to sequestration and other budget cuts numbers for staff non-commissioned officers have dropped in the Marine Corps. The number of Marines might go from 184,000 to 174,000 Marines by the end of 2017, according to Pentagon personnel statistics. The Marine Corps offers resources to keep SNCO’s in the fight such as career planners, career counselors and the SNCO Academy. With the ever increasing competitiveness to achieve the next rank, it is important to document Letters of Appreciation, Certificates of Commendations and Navy Achievement Medals early in the career, according to Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Henry, the director of the Okinawa SNCO Academy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Cpl. Devon Tindle/Released) - Due to sequestration and other budget cuts numbers for staff non-commissioned officers have dropped in the Marine Corps. The number of Marines might go from 184,000 to 174,000 Marines by the end of 2017, according to Pentagon personnel statistics. The Marine Corps offers resources to keep SNCO’s in the fight such as career planners, career counselors and the SNCO Academy. With the ever increasing competitiveness to achieve the next rank, it is important to document Letters of Appreciation, Certificates of Commendations and Navy Achievement Medals early in the career, according to Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Henry, the director of the Okinawa SNCO Academy. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Cpl. Devon Tindle/Released)