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)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Amanda Braly, center, answers questions from high school students participating in the Summer English Program Aug. 18 at the Legends Officers’ Club on Camp Courtney. The questions covered subjects such as favorite hobbies, music and movies, and the students were required to ask them in English to practice and improve their verbal communication with the second language. Braly is a Mineral Wells, Texas, native, and a religious programs specialist with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The students are from various high schools in Uruma City. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey/Released) - U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Amanda Braly, center, answers questions from high school students participating in the Summer English Program Aug. 18 at the Legends Officers’ Club on Camp Courtney. The questions covered subjects such as favorite hobbies, music and movies, and the students were required to ask them in English to practice and improve their verbal communication with the second language. Braly is a Mineral Wells, Texas, native, and a religious programs specialist with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The students are from various high schools in Uruma City. (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.”

Staff Sgt. Eduardo R. Guzman, right, defends against a blow from Cpl. Terrance J. Slaughter, left, July 14 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma’s McCutcheon Gym during a Martial Arts Instructor course. The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program was officially established in 2002, and the principle of hand-to-hand combat in the Marine Corps has existed since the Corps was established. Guzman is a Chicago, Illinois, native and aviation supply specialist with Marine Air Logistics Squadron 36, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Slaughter is a Tomball, Texas, native and air support operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 2, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st MAW, III MEF. - Staff Sgt. Eduardo R. Guzman, right, defends against a blow from Cpl. Terrance J. Slaughter, left, July 14 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma’s McCutcheon Gym during a Martial Arts Instructor course. The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program was officially established in 2002, and the principle of hand-to-hand combat in the Marine Corps has existed since the Corps was established. Guzman is a Chicago, Illinois, native and aviation supply specialist with Marine Air Logistics Squadron 36, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Slaughter is a Tomball, Texas, native and air support operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 2, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st MAW, III MEF.

From left to right, Nanase Mori, Deirdre M. Erkman and Teiko Yoshida pose for a photo in front of the Ryukyu Shimpo Newspaper Museum July 24 in Naha, Okinawa. They spent the day learning about the history of the Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper and its production. Mori, Erkman, and Yoshida are interns with the G-7, government and external affairs office, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, to learn about the different aspects of the Marine Corps’ role on Okinawa. Erkman is a senior at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana. Mori is a senior at International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan. Yoshida is a senior at Senshu University, Tokyo, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released) - From left to right, Nanase Mori, Deirdre M. Erkman and Teiko Yoshida pose for a photo in front of the Ryukyu Shimpo Newspaper Museum July 24 in Naha, Okinawa. They spent the day learning about the history of the Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper and its production. Mori, Erkman, and Yoshida are interns with the G-7, government and external affairs office, Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, to learn about the different aspects of the Marine Corps’ role on Okinawa. Erkman is a senior at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana. Mori is a senior at International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan. Yoshida is a senior at Senshu University, Tokyo, Japan. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brittany A. James/Released)

Yuka Shinzato, left, and Lance Cpl. Ashley C. Merrick place bar codes onto items for sale June 26 at the U.S. Marine Corps ServMart on Camp Foster. Shinzato was taught how to use the register, find items requested by customers, and restock shelves during her job shadow with the Base Supply Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. Shinzato is an eighth grade student with Chatan Junior High School. Merrick is an Asheboro, North Carolina, native and supply administration and operations specialist with the office. - Yuka Shinzato, left, and Lance Cpl. Ashley C. Merrick place bar codes onto items for sale June 26 at the U.S. Marine Corps ServMart on Camp Foster. Shinzato was taught how to use the register, find items requested by customers, and restock shelves during her job shadow with the Base Supply Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. Shinzato is an eighth grade student with Chatan Junior High School. Merrick is an Asheboro, North Carolina, native and supply administration and operations specialist with the office.

Sgt. Rene Rosado, left, swings a bat June 21 during a baseball scrimmage between the Kin Town Eagles and the Camp Hansen Tigers at the Kin Town Baseball Stadium. “It’s important to have a good relationship with your host nation,” said Col. Sean M. McBride a Butte, Montana, native. “Baseball is America’s pastime and is also something the people of Okinawa enjoy. Sharing this is just one of the ways we can maintain that positive relationship.” McBride is the commanding officer of III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, and the camp commander of Camp Hansen. Rosado is a tactical switching operator with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey) - Sgt. Rene Rosado, left, swings a bat June 21 during a baseball scrimmage between the Kin Town Eagles and the Camp Hansen Tigers at the Kin Town Baseball Stadium. “It’s important to have a good relationship with your host nation,” said Col. Sean M. McBride a Butte, Montana, native. “Baseball is America’s pastime and is also something the people of Okinawa enjoy. Sharing this is just one of the ways we can maintain that positive relationship.” McBride is the commanding officer of III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF, and the camp commander of Camp Hansen. Rosado is a tactical switching operator with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey)

Pfc. Britton C. Stewart clutches a football as he attempts to break through a defender May 23 at the parade deck on Camp Hansen during a flag football game in honor of Sgt. Julian C. Chase and all service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. Chase, fondly remembered as a devoted leader, was killed in action May 28, 2012, in Helmand province, Afghanistan. “A lot of men and women have given everything they had,” said Lt. Col. Josh K. Gelerter. “They leave behind families and friends. What we wanted to do today was not mourn their passing, but to celebrate their lives.” Stewart is a Memphis, Tenn., native and motor vehicle operator with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. Gelerter is a Damascus, Md., native and the commanding officer of 5th ANGLICO, III MHG, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey/Released) - Pfc. Britton C. Stewart clutches a football as he attempts to break through a defender May 23 at the parade deck on Camp Hansen during a flag football game in honor of Sgt. Julian C. Chase and all service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. Chase, fondly remembered as a devoted leader, was killed in action May 28, 2012, in Helmand province, Afghanistan. “A lot of men and women have given everything they had,” said Lt. Col. Josh K. Gelerter. “They leave behind families and friends. What we wanted to do today was not mourn their passing, but to celebrate their lives.” Stewart is a Memphis, Tenn., native and motor vehicle operator with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. Gelerter is a Damascus, Md., native and the commanding officer of 5th ANGLICO, III MHG, III MEF. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David N. Hersey/Released)