Observation Post

• Featured

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - City officials from Palm Desert, Calif., toured facilities aboard the Combat Center in conjunction with the city’s adoption of 7th Marine Regiment, Jan. 28.

• Featured

Marines walk into Bldg. 5407 at Camp Wilson, tired and hungry, and are greeted by a United Service Organization volunteer. They are offered a smorgasbord of food, including chips, hotdogs, popcorn and an assortment of drinks. They then take their seats and prepare to watch a free screening of “American Sniper.”

California State health officials have announced a measles outbreak that originated in southern California.  As of January 21, a total of 59 cases have been confirmed.  San Bernardino County currently has two confirmed measles cases.

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Energetic music fills the gymnasium as people look to get the New Year off to a healthy start. Inside, participants choose weights and prepare themselves for an hour of body strengthening. The Community Center hosted Body Blast, a low intensity exercise class, Jan. 12.

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - Marines with Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon, Company B, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, conducted a live-fire exercise at Range SR-10 aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Tuesday.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps announced Wednesday, Jan. 21 the selection of Sgt. Maj. Ronald L. Green as the next Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps.

Columns of Marines stood at the position of attention, at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray field, Jan. 9, with sunlight glinting off their ribbons and badges. They stood in formation representing the Marines of 1st Battallion, 7th Marine Regiment during the relief and appointment ceremony of their sergeant major.

 As 2014 comes to a close and 2015 peeks around the corner, the Combat Center prepares itself for a new year of hard work and dedication to the Corps. This past year has had its challenges and triumphs as Marines have gone through the training they need to stay prepared for the missions they will be tasked with. The ranges aboard the Combat Center are always ready to support the next task the Marine Corps has in store with the goal of maintaining a force of readiness. Although the Combat Center’s mission is still the same, the installation’s training command is always expanding its knowledge and ability. With 2014 slowly coming to its end, the Combat Center stands ready for all the challenges and opportunities the New Year has to offer.

Marines have been fighting our nation’s wars for more than 200 years. A Marine’s fierce warfighting is rooted in the Corps’ ability to prepare unit’s for “any climb or place.” It takes places like the Combat Center to facilitate the training and keep Marines at their best at all times. The Installation does training year-round to ensure the readiness of Marines for any combat situation they may encounter. The environment here tests every Marine with its harsh conditions and mountainous terrain. Units come to keep themselves one step ahead of the rest and conduct pre-deployment training. Units partake in vigorous Integrated Training Exercises that test the knowledge and capabilities of every member of the team from the commanding officers to the fire team leaders. The Combat Center is the only base of its kind in the Marine Corps and it continues to train Marines for any mission.

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – As 19 expectant mothers walked into the ballroom, their faces lit up with appreciation when they saw a stage lined with gifts meant for them, and their soon-to-be born babies.

There is a festive feel at Smith’s Ranch. Christmas lights hang from the rafters, illuminating the room. Whimsical notes of holiday music fill the air as volunteers prepare the final touches for the night’s events.

>I joined the Marine Corps in 2010 and I reached my end of active service last month.

A Marine finishes a bottle of water and in front of him is a decision. He can choose to throw his bottle in the trash can and leave, or he could throw his the bottle into the recycle bin. He chose to recycle his bottle, here is why.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Marines with Company A, Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force, embarked onto amphibious assault vehicles from Company B, GCEITF, and splashed across the New River en route to the Verona Loop training area, Dec. 2.

On a bright and sunny day, children from around the Combat Center could be heard running and playfully laughing across Felix Field during the Lifestyle Insights Networking Knowledge Skills’ Combined Arms Exercise for Kids at Felix Field, Nov. 25.

As Marines enter the mess hall, the savory aroma of bacon fills their nostrils. A clatter of cooking utensils and murmurs of hungry anticipation can be heard. As time progresses, the line of Marines grows longer and each one is there for one thing, Pink’s gourmet hot dogs.

MARINE CORPS MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER BRIDGEPORT — At approximately 6,000 feet above sea level, the sun begins to crest over the mountain tops of northern California as Marines demonstrate different mountain survival skills to Tajik delegates during an international visit to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeportf.

The air was filled with anticipation as service members and civilians stood, waiting as Sgt. Maj. Karl Villalino, Combat Center sergeant major, aims an M14 service rifle from the 1,000-yard firing line. After a few seconds, the sergeant major pulled slowly on the trigger and fired the first round of the 55th Annual High Desert Regional Shooting Competition and with it, an explosion at the target line to start the competition off with a bang.

From the main gate of the Combat Center to Shadow Mountain housing, Marines lined the streets. Some held welcome home posters and others waved miniature American flags, all waited for one person. The sound of approaching motorcycles grew louder. He was getting closer.

YUCCA VALLEY — The sun shined on a picturesque day as the National Anthem was sung and the Combat Center color guard presented the American flag. A sense of patriotism and pride was felt over the crowd of veterans, active-duty service members and civilians at the 15th Annual Morongo Basin Veterans Day Tribute at the Yucca Valley community center in Yucca Valley, Tuesday. The event alternates where it is held each year between Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms. It offered static displays of military vehicles and equipment like the Logistics Vehicle System Replacement, a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacemenwwt and a High Mobility Multi-purposed Wheeled Vehicle from the Combat Center and other vehicles from law-enforcement agencies in the area along with a free barbecue lunch.

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK -— The sun shines bright over a mountainous landscape as one-by-one, Marines ascend the rock face. As they climb higher, they look for natural grooves in the rock to better anchor them on their way to the top. Joshua Tree Uprising in association with Mil-Tree, a non-profit organization, hosted a rock-climbing event for Marines at Joshua Tree National Park, Sunday.

The sun rests low in the sky as families gather at Del Valle Field. Across the field, miniature princesses, monsters, and superheroes gather for the festivities. Marine Corps Community Services held their annual Family Fall Festival, Oct. 24.

Sounds of laughter and music filled the air as people gathered at the Felix Field track. Children played in bounce houses while participants waited, donning pink attire, ready for the festivities to begin at the first Combat Center Pink Walk for breast cancer awareness.

HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan — The final United States Marine Corps command and service members from the United Kingdom have departed Regional Command (Southwest) in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Monday.