The Most Incredible Photos Of America's Marines So Far This Year

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Marines throwing down during a gunfight in Afghanistan. Combat is loud. Marines are louder.

Marines throwing down during a gunfight in Afghanistan. Combat is loud. Marines are louder.
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Boom! Marines practice tactical breaching to keep their skills sharp.

Boom! Marines practice tactical breaching to keep their skills sharp.
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Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles have become a mainstay of the Marine Corps.

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles have become a mainstay of the Marine Corps.

As has the Huey Helicopter. She's an oldie, but a goodie.

As has the Huey Helicopter. She's an oldie, but a goodie.
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Anyone up for a boat ride?

Anyone up for a boat ride?

The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, or MCMAP, has remade the way the Corps conducts hand-to-hand combat.

The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, or MCMAP, has remade the way the Corps conducts hand-to-hand combat.
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Operators have to know how to insert themselves via helicopter, sometimes well within enemy territory.

Operators have to know how to insert themselves via helicopter, sometimes well within enemy territory.

Or they can just jump out of a perfectly good airplane — in this case a KC130.

Or they can just jump out of a perfectly good airplane — in this case a KC130.
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ALL Marines have to pass swim qualifications — especially the ones who don't know how to swim.

ALL Marines have to pass swim qualifications — especially the ones who don't know how to swim.

The Osprey has become almost as much of a symbol of the Marine Corps as the bulldog.

The Osprey has become almost as much of a symbol of the Marine Corps as the bulldog.
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This Devil Pup here will grow into a good Marine. Every Marine Corps official bulldog has rank, and gets promoted, no different than any Marine.

This Devil Pup here will grow into a good Marine. Every Marine Corps official bulldog has rank, and gets promoted, no different than any Marine.

I've flown in these bad boys a few times, over various countries. It's a trip every time.

I've flown in these bad boys a few times, over various countries. It's a trip every time.
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Sgt. Le’Mon Eluett is one of Florida's top recruiters. It's a tough job, full of unsung heroes.

Sgt. Le’Mon Eluett is one of Florida's top recruiters. It's a tough job, full of unsung heroes.

The softer side of the Marine Corps. Community outreach is key to keeping the Marine Corps alive.

The softer side of the Marine Corps. Community outreach is key to keeping the Marine Corps alive.
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Yes, rotor wash will do that to your legs no matter how toned you think they are.

Yes, rotor wash will do that to your legs no matter how toned you think they are.

Ammunition for M-series rifles comes in strips of ten. All Marines qualify with the rifle at least once a year.

Ammunition for M-series rifles comes in strips of ten. All Marines qualify with the rifle at least once a year.
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Competitions keep Wounded Warriors sharp, but it also offers an outlet for frustrations.

Competitions keep Wounded Warriors sharp, but it also offers an outlet for frustrations.

Marine pilots specialize in close air support, which basically puts them lower and closer to the fight than any other service.

Marine pilots specialize in close air support, which basically puts them lower and closer to the fight than any other service.
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BOOM! I've heard most artillery guys are loud talkers because by the time they leave the Marines they can't hear anything.

BOOM! I've heard most artillery guys are loud talkers because by the time they leave the Marines they can't hear anything.

Speaking of boom, without Explosive Ordnance Disposal (pictured here), there'd be a lot more unwelcomed explosions.

Speaking of boom, without Explosive Ordnance Disposal (pictured here), there'd be a lot more unwelcomed explosions.
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The Corps is certainly tough, but it's not all work and no play.

The Corps is certainly tough, but it's not all work and no play.

I mean, where else does a day at work entail eating snake?

I mean, where else does a day at work entail eating snake?
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Of course, there are those days when you wish you were somewhere else.

Of course, there are those days when you wish you were somewhere else.

Like during one of the many conditioning hikes most Marines will do in their four years.

Like during one of the many conditioning hikes most Marines will do in their four years.
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And field exercises are fun, once all the shooting starts.

And field exercises are fun, once all the shooting starts.

Marines take their creed, to fight in any "clime or place," quite seriously. These are Marines conducting cold weather Mountain Warfare training.

Marines take their creed, to fight in any "clime or place," quite seriously. These are Marines conducting cold weather Mountain Warfare training.
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Behind a bazooka is probably not the bet place to stand, but it does make for a good image. The back blast from any one of the Marines should fired weapons can kill.

Behind a bazooka is probably not the bet place to stand, but it does make for a good image. The back blast from any one of the Marines should fired weapons can kill.

Although not as many as the Army, the Marine Corps has a handful of tank companies.

Although not as many as the Army, the Marine Corps has a handful of tank companies.
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These bad boys — Amphibious Assault Vehicles — have been a part of Marine Corps doctrine for decades.

These bad boys — Amphibious Assault Vehicles — have been a part of Marine Corps doctrine for decades.

Amphibious means both land and sea: Marine are currently in landlocked warfare in Afghanistan.

Amphibious means both land and sea: Marine are currently in landlocked warfare in Afghanistan.
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Running for cover, barely seen is the interpreter behind the Marine. He looks a little freaked out.

Running for cover, barely seen is the interpreter behind the Marine. He looks a little freaked out.

Marine swim quals have four basic designations, the highest of which is incredibly difficult.

Marine swim quals have four basic designations, the highest of which is incredibly difficult.
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Who could forget the Drill Instructors, the thing every Marine, regardless of their job, has in common.

Who could forget the Drill Instructors, the thing every Marine, regardless of their job, has in common.

You've seen the intimate side of the Marine Corps ...

You've seen the intimate side of the Marine Corps ...

NOW CHECK OUT how the Air Force gets down >

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