Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua D. Baker, left, and Petty Officer 1st Class Mark S. Little prepare to sort debris during a cleanup April 22 in Kadena Town, Okinawa, Japan. During the cleanup, divers used mesh bags to hold any trash they found beneath the waves. Cleanups like this are just one of the many ways service members give back to the community. Baker and Little are with the Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua D. Baker, left, and Petty Officer 1st Class Mark S. Little prepare to sort debris during a cleanup April 22 in Kadena Town, Okinawa, Japan. During the cleanup, divers used mesh bags to hold any trash they found beneath the waves. Cleanups like this are just one of the many ways service members give back to the community. Baker and Little are with the Combat Assault Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Phillip M. Bennet coaches members of a basketball game during a Friendship Basketball event Dec. 3 at the Ironworks Fitness Center aboard Camp Courtney Okinawa, Japan. The Friendship Basketball event strengthened the relationship between Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement members through a day of friendly competition. Students from Hamagawa Elementary School and Department of Defense Education Activity schools across Okinawa divided into combined teams to compete in four separate games. Bennett is a materials handler with the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan and is a California City, California, native. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon) - Phillip M. Bennet coaches members of a basketball game during a Friendship Basketball event Dec. 3 at the Ironworks Fitness Center aboard Camp Courtney Okinawa, Japan. The Friendship Basketball event strengthened the relationship between Okinawa residents and Status of Forces Agreement members through a day of friendly competition. Students from Hamagawa Elementary School and Department of Defense Education Activity schools across Okinawa divided into combined teams to compete in four separate games. Bennett is a materials handler with the U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan and is a California City, California, native. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon)

A volunteer directs Okinawa residents along the evacuation route during a tsunami evacuation drill Sept. 4 on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The drill was arranged to familiarize Okinawa residents with the evacuation route. In the event of a tsunami, Okinawa residents would follow the evacuation route through Camp Foster to higher ground. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James/ Released) - A volunteer directs Okinawa residents along the evacuation route during a tsunami evacuation drill Sept. 4 on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The drill was arranged to familiarize Okinawa residents with the evacuation route. In the event of a tsunami, Okinawa residents would follow the evacuation route through Camp Foster to higher ground. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Brittany A. James/ Released)

Yuko Murayoshi assists an attendee in tying an obi, which is a sash worn over a yukata, during a traditional Japanese clothing class June 19 at the Marine and Family Programs building on Camp Foster, Okinawa. The class, sponsored by Marine Corps Community Services, Okinawa, taught attendees how to wear a yukata, a Japanese garment worn during summer. The class also highlighted traditional Japanese culture and customs and the importance of service members and their families engaging in the local culture. Attending cultural classes through MCCS is one of the ways service members can immerse themselves in the traditional Japanese culture, according to Murayoshi. Murayoshi is the instructor of the class, and a class coordinator with MCCS. (Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/ Released) - Yuko Murayoshi assists an attendee in tying an obi, which is a sash worn over a yukata, during a traditional Japanese clothing class June 19 at the Marine and Family Programs building on Camp Foster, Okinawa. The class, sponsored by Marine Corps Community Services, Okinawa, taught attendees how to wear a yukata, a Japanese garment worn during summer. The class also highlighted traditional Japanese culture and customs and the importance of service members and their families engaging in the local culture. Attending cultural classes through MCCS is one of the ways service members can immerse themselves in the traditional Japanese culture, according to Murayoshi. Murayoshi is the instructor of the class, and a class coordinator with MCCS. (Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Janessa K. Pon/ Released)

Dr. Robert D. Eldridge, center right, speaks with Ginowan residents and city officials Jan. 29 at the Isa District Community Center about lessons learned in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami, which took place March 11, 2011 and destroyed much of the coastal Tohoku region. Ginowan City, with some areas such as the community center pictured just 2 meters above sea level, is susceptible to a tsunami, and Eldridge spoke about opportunities to work together to further strengthen response mechanisms. Eldridge is the deputy assistant chief of G-7, government and external affairs, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. - Dr. Robert D. Eldridge, center right, speaks with Ginowan residents and city officials Jan. 29 at the Isa District Community Center about lessons learned in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami, which took place March 11, 2011 and destroyed much of the coastal Tohoku region. Ginowan City, with some areas such as the community center pictured just 2 meters above sea level, is susceptible to a tsunami, and Eldridge spoke about opportunities to work together to further strengthen response mechanisms. Eldridge is the deputy assistant chief of G-7, government and external affairs, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan.

Marines verify their checkpoints Jan. 24 at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalves, during a land navigation portion of a Jungle Communications Course. The course, which began Jan. 23, covers operation of communications equipment in jungle environments, as well as basic combat techniques. The Marines are with various units within III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders - Marines verify their checkpoints Jan. 24 at the Jungle Warfare Training Center, Camp Gonsalves, during a land navigation portion of a Jungle Communications Course. The course, which began Jan. 23, covers operation of communications equipment in jungle environments, as well as basic combat techniques. The Marines are with various units within III Marine Expeditionary Force. Photo by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders