Cpl. Sharadan Reetz (left), 19, from Syracuse, N.Y., and Lance Cpl. Jarrett Hatley, 21, from Millingport, N.C., a squad automatic weapon gunner and an improvised explosive device detection dog handler with 3rd Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, rest next to Hatley’s dog Blue after clearing compounds with Afghan National Army soldiers during Operation Tageer Shamal (Shifting Winds) here, Jan. 4. Over the past five years, coalition forces have operated with Afghan National Security Forces to defeat the insurgency in the central Helmand River valley. Driven from the green zones, or populated areas, of districts in southern Helmand, enemy fighters have sought refuge in bed-down locations west of the Helmand River. This area on the outskirts of Garmsir district has been, until now, nearly untouched by the partnered forces and the Afghan government. During the operation, Jan. 4-8, Afghan forces and Marines with 3/3 cleared the area of insurgent activity, weapons and improvised explosive device-making materials, and held shuras to address the concerns of local elders. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder)

Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct insertion exercises from a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter into a combat rubber raiding craft, Jan. 12, 2012. The 11th MEU is embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island, deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Alan Gragg)

In the wake of the DoD’s announcement of new standard-issue military glasses, a new study found that one out of five Marines is distraught over the loss of Birth Control Glasses. Correction: One Marine in the entire Marine Corps is upset about it. Updated versions of issues spectacles began arriving at boot camps throughout the services in January. My mid-year, the BCGs were replaced entirely. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Staff Sgt. Mark Fayloga)

U.S. Marines with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment are conducting immediate actions drills during Lava Viper in Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, Jan. 19, 2012. Lava Viper is a battalion level combined arms training exercise to better prepare Marines for upcoming deployments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Demetrius Munnerlyn)

Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Soto accompanies litter-bearers as they load an injured Marine into a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter during a medical evacuation in Garmsir, in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, Jan. 30, 2012. Soto, a native of Lake Villa, Ill., has been with 9th Engineer Support Battalion for the past year and is the primary caregiver to the Marines of Bridge Platoon as they serve on the front lines of Afghanistan. Soto is a hospital corpsman with 9th ESB, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Bryan Nygaard)

The Department of Defense’s first production F-35B Lightning II joint strike fighter flies toward its new home at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., escorted by Marine Corps F-18 Hornets. The Marine variant of the JSF belongs to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501. The Marines of VMFAT-501 received two F-35Bs Jan. 11. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joely Santiago)

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s maritime raid force identify targets during a live-fire exercise aboard USS Makin Island (LHD 8), Jan. 13, 2012. The unit is currently deployed aboard the amphibious assault ship as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, which is a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chad Pulliam)