Lance Cpl. Naomi Felio talks with an elderly man Dec. 15 at the Okinawa Airakuen Sanatorium in Nago, Okinawa, Japan. - Lance Cpl. Naomi Felio talks with an elderly man Dec. 15 at the Okinawa Airakuen Sanatorium in Nago, Okinawa, Japan. Since 1938, the Nago Airakuen Sanatorium has been a convalescent home for leprosy patients or ex-leprosy patients. Service members from across Okinawa joined together to travel north to share their Christmas spirit with an elderly group who lives at the sanatorium. Felio is a landing support specialist with 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Danielle R. Prentice)

Lt. Patrick A. Flynn poses for a picture in the Chapel - CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Lt. Patrick A. Flynn poses for a picture in the Chapel aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Flynn’s devotion and open door policy is known across Okinawa. Acting as a mental and spiritual 911, Flynn works tirelessly seven days a week, balancing the busy schedule of caring for hundreds of Marines with taking enough time to decompress. Due to the confidentiality of a chaplain, Flynn’s broad shoulders selflessly carry the weight of many men and women’s darkest secrets and worst moments but he wouldn’t trade it for the world. Flynn is the chaplain for Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. (U.S Marine photo by Lance Corporal Tayler P. Schwamb)

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Rear Adm. Brent W. Scott gives closing remarks during the Chaplain’s Professional Development Workshop May 8 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Scott’s guided discussions were centered on the topic of targeted and interpersonal violence. Chaplains are an indispensable asset to these types of instances. Scott is the chaplain of the Marine Corps. (U.S Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Tayler P. Schwamb) - CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan – Rear Adm. Brent W. Scott gives closing remarks during the Chaplain’s Professional Development Workshop May 8 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Scott’s guided discussions were centered on the topic of targeted and interpersonal violence. Chaplains are an indispensable asset to these types of instances. Scott is the chaplain of the Marine Corps. (U.S Marine photo by Lance Cpl. Tayler P. Schwamb)

Students of the College of Distance Education and Training’s Command and Staff School enjoy the graduate the two-year course, June 4 at the community center on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Students attended a three-hour class every week for two, eight-month, academic years while still fulfilling their duty as active service members. The students’ commitment to continuously improve personally and professionally was paramount to be successful in the course, according to James Hopkins, the regional director for the CDET, Marine Corps University, Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Jean-Paul/Released) - Students of the College of Distance Education and Training’s Command and Staff School enjoy the graduate the two-year course, June 4 at the community center on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. Students attended a three-hour class every week for two, eight-month, academic years while still fulfilling their duty as active service members. The students’ commitment to continuously improve personally and professionally was paramount to be successful in the course, according to James Hopkins, the regional director for the CDET, Marine Corps University, Okinawa. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Daniel Jean-Paul/Released)

U.S. Navy Capt. Irving A. Elson, deputy chaplain of the Marine Corps, instructs a class during a professional development training course May 19 at the Ocean Breeze Club, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The class was hosted by the Chaplain Corps, which consists of all commissioned naval officers who are ordained to conduct religious services and promote the spiritual, moral and personal well-being of service members. The course is one of 12 hosted around the world, and reinforces chaplains' skills in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released) - U.S. Navy Capt. Irving A. Elson, deputy chaplain of the Marine Corps, instructs a class during a professional development training course May 19 at the Ocean Breeze Club, Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The class was hosted by the Chaplain Corps, which consists of all commissioned naval officers who are ordained to conduct religious services and promote the spiritual, moral and personal well-being of service members. The course is one of 12 hosted around the world, and reinforces chaplains' skills in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released)

Gunnery Sgt. Shane R. Bertrand, from Ontario, Oregon, helps children put together paper pilgrim and American Indian hats Nov. 23 during the second annual Thanksgiving celebration with Tai Chu En Children’s Home at the Camp Kinser Chapel. This was the second annual Thanksgiving event with the children’s home and the Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 35. Following the crafts, the children and volunteers sat down for a Thanksgiving feast including turkey, corn and pumpkin pie. Bertrand is the logistics chief for CLR 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary. - Gunnery Sgt. Shane R. Bertrand, from Ontario, Oregon, helps children put together paper pilgrim and American Indian hats Nov. 23 during the second annual Thanksgiving celebration with Tai Chu En Children’s Home at the Camp Kinser Chapel. This was the second annual Thanksgiving event with the children’s home and the Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Regiment 35. Following the crafts, the children and volunteers sat down for a Thanksgiving feast including turkey, corn and pumpkin pie. Bertrand is the logistics chief for CLR 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary.

Service members share a tasty snack with students at the Himawari Gakudo Day Care Center, Nago City, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 23 during a community outreach visit. The students and service members snacked on sliced watermelon, popsicles and drinks before another round of games in the classroom. The Marines and sailors are with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey/Released) - Service members share a tasty snack with students at the Himawari Gakudo Day Care Center, Nago City, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 23 during a community outreach visit. The students and service members snacked on sliced watermelon, popsicles and drinks before another round of games in the classroom. The Marines and sailors are with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey/Released)

Members of Team Futenma dance onstage Aug. 3 at the Ginowan City Marine Park during the 26th annual Hagoromo Kachashi Dance Competition. The team enjoyed the opportunity to take part in traditions unique to Okinawa, according to Tess M. Wobbe, a participant and senior at Kadena High School. “I want to see what’s out here and experience it for myself,” said Wobbe, a New London, Iowa, native. “Learning more about the people of Okinawa lets us show how much we appreciate their culture.” - Members of Team Futenma dance onstage Aug. 3 at the Ginowan City Marine Park during the 26th annual Hagoromo Kachashi Dance Competition. The team enjoyed the opportunity to take part in traditions unique to Okinawa, according to Tess M. Wobbe, a participant and senior at Kadena High School. “I want to see what’s out here and experience it for myself,” said Wobbe, a New London, Iowa, native. “Learning more about the people of Okinawa lets us show how much we appreciate their culture.”

Chaplains and religious program specialists assigned to the Asia-Pacific region listen to the introduction of a professional development training course May 20 at the Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster. This annual three-day course addresses a prominent topic of concern in the Department of the Navy. This year’s topic is the caring process for victims and perpetrators involved in sexual assault cases. - Chaplains and religious program specialists assigned to the Asia-Pacific region listen to the introduction of a professional development training course May 20 at the Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster. This annual three-day course addresses a prominent topic of concern in the Department of the Navy. This year’s topic is the caring process for victims and perpetrators involved in sexual assault cases.

Keiko Onaga, center, stands with Col. James G. Flynn, left, and Sgt. Maj. Delvin R. Smythe thanking Onaga for her 44 years of dedicated service Dec. 18 at the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Chaplain’s Office. Flynn is the commanding officer, and Smythe is the sergeant major of MCAS Futenma. (Courtesy photo) - Keiko Onaga, center, stands with Col. James G. Flynn, left, and Sgt. Maj. Delvin R. Smythe thanking Onaga for her 44 years of dedicated service Dec. 18 at the Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Chaplain’s Office. Flynn is the commanding officer, and Smythe is the sergeant major of MCAS Futenma. (Courtesy photo)