In order to effectively complete its mission, the Marine Corps often demands uniformity from its Marines. However, excellence above one's peers is always recognized.

Two years ago, then Gunnery Sgt. Kelly Minkler arrived in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as an explosive ordnance disposal section leader with 1st EOD Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward).

Marines and sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) stood in formation eagerly awaiting the official end of their tour in Afghanistan, April 17.

Whether it is Girl Scout cookies sent by patriotic Americans or photographs of your child's first day at school, mail is the number one source of morale for Marines in a combat zone.

In America, all branches of the military are voluntary, and for those who choose to join, a certain level of respect is earned.

"Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? I see a red bird looking at me..." She began to read the book to a video camera while sitting in front of a U.S. flag.

Since he assumed his post as sergeant major of Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, here, Jan. 21, Sgt. Maj. Juan Diaz wasted no time making sure his Marines understand what he expects as it pertains to discipline, conduct, standards and morale.

As military operations in Afghanistan begin to shift from a combat role to an advisory role, the Marine Corps has started the process of redistributing gear throughout Afghanistan and shipping supplies back to the U.S.

Every service member deployed to Afghanistan has a story to tell. Cpl. Matthew J. Kirby is one of few who cannot stop grinning long enough to tell his.

Marines with Motor Transport Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward) made good use of their extra day this leap year providing needed supplies to patrol bases in southern Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 29.

Marines with General Support Motor Transport, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, conducted a field exercise in support of the 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division here, Feb. 6-10.

Friends and families of Marines with the 7th Engineer Support Battalion and Combat Logistics Battalion 1, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group cheer as the Marines arrived to a homecoming at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 2.

Sgt. Maj. Richard Charron relinquished his position as the top senior enlisted advisor of 7th Engineer Support Battalion to Sgt. Maj. Paul M. McElearney during a Post and Relief ceremony here, Jan. 12.

"Mommy, there's Daddy! I can see him!" A boy screamed as the bus approached its destination. Families have always been on the receiving end, waiting for buses to bring their Marines home. This time they're the ones riding the bus, heading to the field to visit their loved ones.

The Marines of Company E, Combat Logistics Battalion 5, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, trained in the Mobile Immersion Trainer here, Dec. 9.

Sgt. Bunnarath Gnoy, the heavy equipment chief with Alpha Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), knows what it is like to be away from family for long periods of time.

More than 250 service members from 7th Engineer Support Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 1, 1st Marine Logistics Group, returned home, Dec. 2.

The Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), are currently in the midst of a first-time operation. They are constructing a route between the Nowa and Marjah districts in Helmand province.

U.S. Marines Lt. Col. Daniel Dubbs and Sgt. Maj. Richard Charron, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 2D Marine Logistics Group Forward, case the colors during the Transfer of Authority ceremony from 7th ESB to 9th ESB, on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Nov. 25.

In the holiday spirit of Thanksgiving, Albertsons Grocery Store, located outside Camp Pendleton's Fallbrook gate, donated more than $10,000 worth of turkey dinner meals to Camp Pendleton Marines and sailors, Nov. 22, in support of Operation Homefront Southern California.

At 18 years young, many men are thinking about their first year of college, their high-school sweetheart, their favorite sports team or even their impending adulthood and the responsibilities that come with it.

Wazir (second from left), 57, a former Afghan National Army colonel, served as an interpreter with Combat Logistics Regiment 7 during their most recent deployment to Helmand province, Afghanistan, April-October 2011. Wazir moved to the U.S. in 2005 with his family and was nationalized as a U.S. citizen earlier this year.

The pier here is bustling with activity when a ship returns from deployment. Service members and contractors pace up and down the pier as they dodge heavy equipment and vehicles that move supplies from the ship.

Marines with the Embedded Partnering Team, Combat Logistics Battalion 1, 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward), spend the morning showing their Afghan National Army counterparts how to do various Marine Corps exercises on Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Nov. 16.

Nine years in the Marine Corps, four deployments and less than four weeks until he steps foot on American soil once again, Staff Sgt. Davison Slivers has spent a collective two-and-a-half years defending his country in both Iraq and Afghanistan.