Lt. Gen. James Bierman shakes hands with Gen. Yoshida, Chief of Staff of the Japan Joint Staff, during an outcall at the Ministry of Defense, on 17 January. Lt. Gen. Bierman was appreciative of the outcall and the close bond shared between U.S. and Japanese leaders. (Courtesy Photo from the Japan Joint Staff) - Lt. Gen. James Bierman shakes hands with Gen. Yoshida, Chief of Staff of the Japan Joint Staff, during an outcall at the Ministry of Defense, on 17 January. Lt. Gen. Bierman was appreciative of the outcall and the close bond shared between U.S. and Japanese leaders. (Courtesy Photo from the Japan Joint Staff)

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Orin Chacho provides security during Stand-in Force Exercise 24 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, Dec. 4, 2023. SIFEX 24 is a division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region. Chacho, a native of Thoreau, New Mexico is a rifleman with 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. 2/7 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales) - U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Orin Chacho provides security during Stand-in Force Exercise 24 at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Japan, Dec. 4, 2023. SIFEX 24 is a division-level exercise involving all elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force focused on strengthening multi-domain awareness, maneuver, and fires across a distributed maritime environment. This exercise serves as a rehearsal for rapidly projecting combat power in defense of allies and partners in the region. Chacho, a native of Thoreau, New Mexico is a rifleman with 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. 2/7 is forward deployed in the Indo-Pacific under 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Matthew Morales)

This graphic was created to celebrate the holiday season in the MCIPAC area of operation. This banner was created for use on the Facebook platform. (U.S. Marine Corps graphic by Cpl. Joanna Stauss) - This graphic was created to celebrate the holiday season in the MCIPAC area of operation. This banner was created for use on the Facebook platform. (U.S. Marine Corps graphic by Cpl. Joanna Stauss)

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Caleb Williams, left, and Lance Cpl. Anahi Anaya pose for a photo after a ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 8, 2023. The ceremony was to award Williams with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for heroic actions that saved Anaya’s life after a motor incident. “If he wasn’t there, I would not be here today,” said Anaya. “We didn’t even know each other that well. It’s crazy how strangers can become family in an instant.” Williams used medical aid knowledge and skills he received since joining the Marine Corps. “When the accident happened, I moved without thinking and relied on the training we do constantly as Marines,” said Williams. And referring to his comrades in 3d Littoral Combat Team, Williams said, “I did what any of you would have done if you were in my place, I know that for sure.” Williams, a native of Salisbury, N.C., is an infantry rifleman with 3d LCT, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division. Anaya, a native of Momence, Ill., is an administrative specialist with 3d Marine Littoral Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons) - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Caleb Williams, left, and Lance Cpl. Anahi Anaya pose for a photo after a ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 8, 2023. The ceremony was to award Williams with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for heroic actions that saved Anaya’s life after a motor incident. “If he wasn’t there, I would not be here today,” said Anaya. “We didn’t even know each other that well. It’s crazy how strangers can become family in an instant.” Williams used medical aid knowledge and skills he received since joining the Marine Corps. “When the accident happened, I moved without thinking and relied on the training we do constantly as Marines,” said Williams. And referring to his comrades in 3d Littoral Combat Team, Williams said, “I did what any of you would have done if you were in my place, I know that for sure.” Williams, a native of Salisbury, N.C., is an infantry rifleman with 3d LCT, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division. Anaya, a native of Momence, Ill., is an administrative specialist with 3d Marine Littoral Regiment. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons)

RD 23 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and allied JSDF personnel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Robert G. Gavaldon) - Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and Japan Self-Defense Force salute while in formation during the closing ceremony for the field training exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 23 held at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Kengun, Kumamoto, Japan, Oct. 31, 2023. RD 23 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and allied JSDF personnel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Robert G. Gavaldon)

U.S. and Japanese national flags are presented during the opening ceremony for the field training exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 23 held at Camp Kengun, Kumamoto, Japan, Oct. 14, 2023. - U.S. and Japanese national flags are presented during the opening ceremony for the field training exercise portion of Resolute Dragon 23 held at Camp Kengun, Kumamoto, Japan, Oct. 14, 2023. RD 23 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and allied Japan Self-Defense Force personnel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Robert G. Gavaldon)

This graphic promotes the U.S. Navy’s birthday at Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (MCIEAST-MCB CAMLEJ) which is traditionally observed annually on October 13. Designed in Adobe Illustrator to enhance awareness and promote a tradition throughout the MCIEAST-MCB CAMLEJ Holcomb Blvd marquee audience. (U.S. Marine Corps digital illustration by GS-10 Anthony D. Summa) - This graphic promotes the U.S. Navy’s birthday at Marine Corps Installations East-Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (MCIEAST-MCB CAMLEJ) which is traditionally observed annually on October 13. Designed in Adobe Illustrator to enhance awareness and promote a tradition throughout the MCIEAST-MCB CAMLEJ Holcomb Blvd marquee audience. (U.S. Marine Corps digital illustration by GS-10 Anthony D. Summa)

The seminar was held to discuss the topic of suicide, and to share suicide prevention resources with key leaders, specifically staff noncommissioned officers and noncommissioned officers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Krogull) - U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Patrick Schindlbeck, left, an inventory management specialist with Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and Lauren Swinson an Embedded Preventive Behavioral Health Capability Analyst, go over different perspectives involved in a case study at a Marine Corps Association Professional Leaders Seminar on Suicide Awareness and Prevention on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 27, 2023. The seminar was held to discuss the topic of suicide, and to share suicide prevention resources with key leaders, specifically staff noncommissioned officers and noncommissioned officers. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Matthew Krogull)

Republic of Korea Marine Cpl. Andrew Kim poses for a photo in front of the ROK Marine Corps emblem at Camp Baran, Republic of Korea Marine Corps Headquarters during Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 23. Kim, a Daegu, South Korea native, served as a translator on the watch floor of the operations center during UFS 23. Ulchi Freedom Shield is an annual exercise designed to strengthen the combined defense posture and Alliance response capabilities based on scenarios that reflect diverse threats within the security environment. This creates an opportunity for ROK and III MEF Marines to train together while conducting the live, virtual, and constructive exercise events that reaffirming the U.S.’s ironclad commitment to the defense of the ROK. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Maj. Gabriel Adibe) - Republic of Korea Marine Cpl. Andrew Kim poses for a photo in front of the ROK Marine Corps emblem at Camp Baran, Republic of Korea Marine Corps Headquarters during Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 23. Kim, a Daegu, South Korea native, served as a translator on the watch floor of the operations center during UFS 23. Ulchi Freedom Shield is an annual exercise designed to strengthen the combined defense posture and Alliance response capabilities based on scenarios that reflect diverse threats within the security environment. This creates an opportunity for ROK and III MEF Marines to train together while conducting the live, virtual, and constructive exercise events that reaffirming the U.S.’s ironclad commitment to the defense of the ROK. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Maj. Gabriel Adibe)

Martinmar enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves out of Asheville, North Carolina in February, 2015 after graduating from Pisgah high school in Canton, N.C. U.S. 7th Fleet’s flagship USS Blue Ridge is in port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan. Ulchi Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. Martinmar is a native of Elizabeth, New Jersey. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Andrews) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Julian Martinmar, an administrative specialist with III Marine Expeditionary Force, enters data into a manning document in the Landing Force Operations Center aboard the USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) in support of Ulchi Freedom Shield 23, August 28, 2023. Martinmar enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves out of Asheville, North Carolina in February, 2015 after graduating from Pisgah high school in Canton, N.C. U.S. 7th Fleet’s flagship USS Blue Ridge is in port at Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Yokosuka, Japan. Ulchi Freedom Shield is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance our combined defense posture, and strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. Martinmar is a native of Elizabeth, New Jersey. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Andrews)