Combat Center News

Mark Aid, a fire inspector for the Combat Center Fire Department, teaches Katie Miller, an 18-year-old Yucca Valley High School student, how to properly handle a fire extinguisher during the Combat Center's 2010 Job Shadow Day March 4. - Mark Aid, a fire inspector for the Combat Center Fire Department, teaches Katie Miller, an 18-year-old Yucca Valley High School student, how to properly handle a fire extinguisher during the Combat Center's 2010 Job Shadow Day March 4.

Marines with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, make their way out to the ocean during a Basic Scout Swimmers Course training exercise at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., March 9. - Marines with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, make their way out to the ocean during a Basic Scout Swimmers Course training exercise at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., March 9.

Lance Cpl. Andrew Lemley, a motor transportation mechanic for 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, practices his swing at the Desert Winds Golf Course during 3rd CEB's family day March 5. - Lance Cpl. Andrew Lemley, a motor transportation mechanic for 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, practices his swing at the Desert Winds Golf Course during 3rd CEB's family day March 5.

Sgt. Maj. Mark M. Geletko, the retiring Headquarters Battalion sergeant major, inspects the battalion colors March 5 before his post and relief and retirement ceremony with Sgt. Maj. James D. Walsh at the Combat Center's Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field. Geletko received the Meritorious Service Medal for his service as the battalion sergeant major. - Sgt. Maj. Mark M. Geletko, the retiring Headquarters Battalion sergeant major, inspects the battalion colors March 5 before his post and relief and retirement ceremony with Sgt. Maj. James D. Walsh at the Combat Center's Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field. Geletko received the Meritorious Service Medal for his service as the battalion sergeant major.

Lily Stockman, a local artist and wife of 1st Lt. Pete Brooks, a special projects officer for the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment operations office, will display her art at the Red Arrow Gallery in Joshua Tree March 6 at 6:30 p.m. - Lily Stockman, a local artist and wife of 1st Lt. Pete Brooks, a special projects officer for the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment operations office, will display her art at the Red Arrow Gallery in Joshua Tree March 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Sgt. Maj. Douglas E. Power, the sergeant major of MWTC, (left), Col. Norman L. Cooling, the commanding officer of MWTC, Marines and family members observe a moment of prayer at the dedication ceremony of the Sgt. Phillip A. Bocks Mountain Leaders Classroom at the multi-purpose building Feb. 22. Bocks, a 28-year-old former Mountain Leaders Course instructor, was killed during combat operations Nov. 9, 2007. His platoon was hit with direct fire from small arms and rocket-propelled grenades from multiple positions during an enemy ambush while returning from a meeting with village elders in Afghanistan’s Nuristan Province, according to the official casualty report. - Sgt. Maj. Douglas E. Power, the sergeant major of MWTC, (left), Col. Norman L. Cooling, the commanding officer of MWTC, Marines and family members observe a moment of prayer at the dedication ceremony of the Sgt. Phillip A. Bocks Mountain Leaders Classroom at the multi-purpose building Feb. 22. Bocks, a 28-year-old former Mountain Leaders Course instructor, was killed during combat operations Nov. 9, 2007. His platoon was hit with direct fire from small arms and rocket-propelled grenades from multiple positions during an enemy ambush while returning from a meeting with village elders in Afghanistan’s Nuristan Province, according to the official casualty report.