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Col. Scott F. Benedict, center, the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, delivers a unit gift to Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos Jr., the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit sergeant major, March 14, 2014, after a unit physical training event at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Gallegos' relinquished duties as 24th MEU sergeant major later in the day to Sgt. Maj. Lanette N. Wright, who will be the first female MEU sergeant major. - Col. Scott F. Benedict, center, the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, delivers a unit gift to Sgt. Maj. Octaviano Gallegos Jr., the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit sergeant major, March 14, 2014, after a unit physical training event at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Gallegos' relinquished duties as 24th MEU sergeant major later in the day to Sgt. Maj. Lanette N. Wright, who will be the first female MEU sergeant major.

The Marines and Sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit ran in honor of the 241 Marines, Sailors and soldiers killed in the Beirut bombing 30 years ago, Oct. 23, 2013. The event began at 6 a.m., the approximate time of the bombing. The runners took turns carrying a flag ran in honor of a specific fallen Beirut veteran. The flag flown during the run will be presented to a Marine survivor from the bombing during a ceremony scheduled today. The majority of the Marines and Sailors killed in the bombing were assigned to the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, later designated the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. They were part of the command element and the ground combat element, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment. - The Marines and Sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit ran in honor of the 241 Marines, Sailors and soldiers killed in the Beirut bombing 30 years ago, Oct. 23, 2013. The event began at 6 a.m., the approximate time of the bombing. The runners took turns carrying a flag ran in honor of a specific fallen Beirut veteran. The flag flown during the run will be presented to a Marine survivor from the bombing during a ceremony scheduled today. The majority of the Marines and Sailors killed in the bombing were assigned to the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, later designated the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. They were part of the command element and the ground combat element, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The medal may be awarded to service members who distinguish themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy while serving in any capacity within the Navy or Marine Corps. - The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combatant medal awarded by the Department of the Navy to member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The medal may be awarded to service members who distinguish themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy while serving in any capacity within the Navy or Marine Corps.

Col. Frank Donovan, the outgoing commanding officer for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to family and friends during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 21, 2013. Col. Scott F. Benedict has assumed command of the 24th MEU and is responsible for leading the unit through its next training cycle and deployment scheduled for 2014. (Official USMC Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim/Released) - Col. Frank Donovan, the outgoing commanding officer for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to family and friends during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., March 21, 2013. Col. Scott F. Benedict has assumed command of the 24th MEU and is responsible for leading the unit through its next training cycle and deployment scheduled for 2014. (Official USMC Photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim/Released)

Col. Frank Donovan, the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to the unit before the start of a "run, shoot, run" physical training event, March 15, 2013, at Camp Lejeune. During the timed event, four-person groups completed an approximately six-mile run, conducted live-fired of the M9 pistol, and completed a combined total of 120 pull-ups. The 24th MEU returned from a nine-month deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force last December and is preparing for a change-of-command ceremony at the end of the week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace) - Col. Frank Donovan, the commanding officer of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to the unit before the start of a "run, shoot, run" physical training event, March 15, 2013, at Camp Lejeune. During the timed event, four-person groups completed an approximately six-mile run, conducted live-fired of the M9 pistol, and completed a combined total of 120 pull-ups. The 24th MEU returned from a nine-month deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force last December and is preparing for a change-of-command ceremony at the end of the week. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Monique Wallace)

Col. Frank Donovan, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer, presents a volunteer appreciation award to Heidi Barksdale, a family readiness assistant, at the commander's home during an appreciation luncheon for the unit's command element family readiness assistants, Feb. 28, 2013. The family readiness team organized social gatherings, workshops and lunches to keep the unit's spouses informed during the unit's 2012 deployment. - Col. Frank Donovan, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit commanding officer, presents a volunteer appreciation award to Heidi Barksdale, a family readiness assistant, at the commander's home during an appreciation luncheon for the unit's command element family readiness assistants, Feb. 28, 2013. The family readiness team organized social gatherings, workshops and lunches to keep the unit's spouses informed during the unit's 2012 deployment.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Sgt. Jose Alvarez, a motor transportation mechanic with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to return home from deployment on Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has returned to the U.S. after completing nearly nine months deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU will be offloading over the next few days from amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein) - MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Sgt. Jose Alvarez, a motor transportation mechanic with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit to return home from deployment on Camp Lejeune, Dec. 16, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has returned to the U.S. after completing nearly nine months deployed as an expeditionary crisis response force with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. Approximately 2,300 Marines and Sailors of the 24th MEU will be offloading over the next few days from amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS New York and USS Gunston Hall. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein)

First Sgt. Gregory Mitchell, the battery 1st sergeant for India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to his Marines during reintegration training aboard the USS New York, Dec. 11, 2012. The 24th MEU is returning home in time for the holidays after spending most of 2012 deployed in the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility as an expeditionary crisis response force, maintaining presence aboard the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group within the U.S. Central, European and Africa Commands. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim) - First Sgt. Gregory Mitchell, the battery 1st sergeant for India Battery, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, speaks to his Marines during reintegration training aboard the USS New York, Dec. 11, 2012. The 24th MEU is returning home in time for the holidays after spending most of 2012 deployed in the U.S. Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility as an expeditionary crisis response force, maintaining presence aboard the ships of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group within the U.S. Central, European and Africa Commands. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Michael Petersheim)

Petty Officer 3rd Class Steve A. Barnes, a hospital corpsman with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, poses for a photo in the hospital bay of the USS New York, Dec. 10, 2012. Barnes has spent the last nine months deployed with the 24th MEU, which is currently returning home after completing a successful deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force in the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Steve A. Barnes, a hospital corpsman with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, poses for a photo in the hospital bay of the USS New York, Dec. 10, 2012. Barnes has spent the last nine months deployed with the 24th MEU, which is currently returning home after completing a successful deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force in the Navy's 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit practice sword manual during Corporals Course Class 014-13 aboard the USS New York, Dec. 4, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility serving as an expeditionary crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat to evacuations and humanitarian assistance. - Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit practice sword manual during Corporals Course Class 014-13 aboard the USS New York, Dec. 4, 2012. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is deployed with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility serving as an expeditionary crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat to evacuations and humanitarian assistance.