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U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Keith Reventlow, commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command, cuts a salute from Col. Luke Watson during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Watson, who had served as commanding officer of Blount Island Command since Aug. 11, 2023, relinquished command to Col. David Merles while aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Keith Reventlow, commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command, cuts a salute from Col. Luke Watson during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Watson, who had served as commanding officer of Blount Island Command since Aug. 11, 2023, relinquished command to Col. David Merles while aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Keith Reventlow, commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command, welcomes Col. David Merles during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Col. Luke Watson, who had served as commanding officer of Blount Island Command since Aug. 11, 2023, relinquished command to Merles while aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Keith Reventlow, commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command, welcomes Col. David Merles during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Col. Luke Watson, who had served as commanding officer of Blount Island Command since Aug. 11, 2023, relinquished command to Merles while aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Julian Lumm stands at attention after handing the colors to Col. Luke Watson, who will subsequently relinquish command of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island to Col. David Merles during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. The ceremony took place in the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, docked at a 1,000-foot slipway near a high-capacity crane used to load and unload U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ships. Merles will lead more than 1,200 service members, government civilians and defense contractors at the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Julian Lumm stands at attention after handing the colors to Col. Luke Watson, who will subsequently relinquish command of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island to Col. David Merles during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. The ceremony took place in the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, docked at a 1,000-foot slipway near a high-capacity crane used to load and unload U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ships. Merles will lead more than 1,200 service members, government civilians and defense contractors at the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson speaks to service members, government civilians, defense contractors and community leaders during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Watson, who had served as commanding officer of Blount Island Command since Aug. 11, 2023, relinquished command to Col. David Merles while aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson speaks to service members, government civilians, defense contractors and community leaders during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Watson, who had served as commanding officer of Blount Island Command since Aug. 11, 2023, relinquished command to Col. David Merles while aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Keith Reventlow, commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command, presides over a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Col. Luke Watson, who had served as commanding officer of Blount Island Command since Aug. 11, 2023, relinquished command to Col. David Merles while aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Keith Reventlow, commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command, presides over a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Col. Luke Watson, who had served as commanding officer of Blount Island Command since Aug. 11, 2023, relinquished command to Col. David Merles while aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson passes the colors to Col. David Merles, relinquishing command of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. The ceremony took place in the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, docked at a 1,000-foot slipway near a high-capacity crane used to load and unload U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ships. Merles will lead more than 1,200 service members, government civilians and defense contractors at the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson passes the colors to Col. David Merles, relinquishing command of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. The ceremony took place in the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, docked at a 1,000-foot slipway near a high-capacity crane used to load and unload U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ships. Merles will lead more than 1,200 service members, government civilians and defense contractors at the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marines complete a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Col. David Merles took command of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, relieving Col. Luke Watson. Service members, government civilians, defense contractors and community leaders attended the ceremony aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marines complete a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Col. David Merles took command of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, relieving Col. Luke Watson. Service members, government civilians, defense contractors and community leaders attended the ceremony aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Keith Reventlow, commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command, thanks Col. Luke Watson for his service and dedication during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Watson, who had served as commanding officer of Blount Island Command since Aug. 11, 2023, relinquished command to Col. David Merles while aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Keith Reventlow, commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command, thanks Col. Luke Watson for his service and dedication during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Watson, who had served as commanding officer of Blount Island Command since Aug. 11, 2023, relinquished command to Col. David Merles while aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marine Corps Col. David Merles speaks to service members, government civilians, defense contractors and community leaders during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Col. Luke Watson, who had served as commanding officer of Blount Island Command since Aug. 11, 2023, relinquished command to Merles while aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. David Merles speaks to service members, government civilians, defense contractors and community leaders during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. Col. Luke Watson, who had served as commanding officer of Blount Island Command since Aug. 11, 2023, relinquished command to Merles while aboard the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay, a U.S. Navy maritime prepositioning ship. The facility is the hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Blount Island Command supports Marine expeditionary forces worldwide during military exercises and contingency operations, from combat to humanitarian. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command, discusses facility vulnerabilities with a technical advisory committee for the Northeast Florida Military Installation Readiness Review during a command brief June 17 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. After a presentation on global prepositioning mission readiness, a detailed tour highlighted key challenges, including shoreline erosion. The group explored the complexities of managing power, water and wastewater systems, and the dredging needed to maintain the slipway for Navy cargo ships, as Florida communities brace for a predicted above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command, discusses facility vulnerabilities with a technical advisory committee for the Northeast Florida Military Installation Readiness Review during a command brief June 17 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. After a presentation on global prepositioning mission readiness, a detailed tour highlighted key challenges, including shoreline erosion. The group explored the complexities of managing power, water and wastewater systems, and the dredging needed to maintain the slipway for Navy cargo ships, as Florida communities brace for a predicted above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

Alec Rodriguez, vulnerability assessment task lead for the Northeast Florida Military Installation Readiness Review, listens to facility vulnerabilities during a tour June 17 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. After a presentation on global prepositioning mission readiness, a detailed tour highlighted key challenges, including shoreline erosion. The group explored the complexities of managing power, water and wastewater systems, and the dredging needed to maintain the slipway for Navy cargo ships, as Florida communities brace for a predicted above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Alec Rodriguez, vulnerability assessment task lead for the Northeast Florida Military Installation Readiness Review, listens to facility vulnerabilities during a tour June 17 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. After a presentation on global prepositioning mission readiness, a detailed tour highlighted key challenges, including shoreline erosion. The group explored the complexities of managing power, water and wastewater systems, and the dredging needed to maintain the slipway for Navy cargo ships, as Florida communities brace for a predicted above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marine Corps Police Capt. Jermaine Dickerson, operations officer, discusses facility vulnerabilities with a technical advisory committee for the Northeast Florida Military Installation Readiness Review during a command brief June 17 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. After a presentation on global prepositioning mission readiness, a detailed tour highlighted key challenges, including shoreline erosion. The group explored the complexities of managing power, water and wastewater systems, and the dredging needed to maintain the slipway for Navy cargo ships, as Florida communities brace for a predicted above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Police Capt. Jermaine Dickerson, operations officer, discusses facility vulnerabilities with a technical advisory committee for the Northeast Florida Military Installation Readiness Review during a command brief June 17 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. After a presentation on global prepositioning mission readiness, a detailed tour highlighted key challenges, including shoreline erosion. The group explored the complexities of managing power, water and wastewater systems, and the dredging needed to maintain the slipway for Navy cargo ships, as Florida communities brace for a predicted above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

Lt. Shawn Hall of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, speaks with Alec Rodriguez, vulnerability assessment task lead for the Northeast Florida Military Installation Readiness Review, during a steering committee meeting June 17 at a Mayport Village community center in Florida. After a tour of Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, as part of a technical advisory committee, Rodriguez gathered with approximately 20 stakeholders—representing a range of expertise from Jacksonville to Atlantic Beach to Neptune Beach and various local agencies—for a readiness review workshop. The Northeast Florida MIRR, slated to run through September 2026, is focused on Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island and Camp Blanding. The goal: identify and prioritize critical infrastructure and needs outside the installations. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Lt. Shawn Hall of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, speaks with Alec Rodriguez, vulnerability assessment task lead for the Northeast Florida Military Installation Readiness Review, during a steering committee meeting June 17 at a Mayport Village community center in Florida. After a tour of Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, as part of a technical advisory committee, Rodriguez gathered with approximately 20 stakeholders—representing a range of expertise from Jacksonville to Atlantic Beach to Neptune Beach and various local agencies—for a readiness review workshop. The Northeast Florida MIRR, slated to run through September 2026, is focused on Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island and Camp Blanding. The goal: identify and prioritize critical infrastructure and needs outside the installations. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

Alec Rodriguez, vulnerability assessment task lead for the Northeast Florida Military Installation Readiness Review, gathers with a steering committee of military and civic leaders June 17 at a Mayport Village community center in Florida. After a tour of Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, as part of a technical advisory committee, he gathered with approximately 20 stakeholders—representing a range of expertise from Jacksonville to Atlantic Beach to Neptune Beach and various local agencies—for a readiness review workshop. The Northeast Florida MIRR, slated to run through September 2026, is focused on Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island and Camp Blanding. The goal: identify and prioritize critical infrastructure and needs outside the installations. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Alec Rodriguez, vulnerability assessment task lead for the Northeast Florida Military Installation Readiness Review, gathers with a steering committee of military and civic leaders June 17 at a Mayport Village community center in Florida. After a tour of Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, as part of a technical advisory committee, he gathered with approximately 20 stakeholders—representing a range of expertise from Jacksonville to Atlantic Beach to Neptune Beach and various local agencies—for a readiness review workshop. The Northeast Florida MIRR, slated to run through September 2026, is focused on Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island and Camp Blanding. The goal: identify and prioritize critical infrastructure and needs outside the installations. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

A technical advisory committee for the Northeast Florida Military Installation Readiness Review listens to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command, discuss facility vulnerabilities during a command brief June 17 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. After a presentation on global prepositioning mission readiness, a detailed tour highlighted key challenges, including shoreline erosion. The group explored the complexities of managing power, water and wastewater systems, and the dredging needed to maintain the slipway for Navy cargo ships, as Florida communities brace for a predicted above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

A technical advisory committee for the Northeast Florida Military Installation Readiness Review listens to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command, discuss facility vulnerabilities during a command brief June 17 at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island in Florida. After a presentation on global prepositioning mission readiness, a detailed tour highlighted key challenges, including shoreline erosion. The group explored the complexities of managing power, water and wastewater systems, and the dredging needed to maintain the slipway for Navy cargo ships, as Florida communities brace for a predicted above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson listens to a question during a sea services panel June 6 at the Navy League National Convention in Jacksonville. Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, the hub of Marine Corps prepositioning programs, underscored the importance of maritime readiness and strategic partnerships. An audience member asked about the potential for the Marine Corps to shift away from afloat squadrons in favor of ashore prepositioning sites. Watson stressed the importance of maintaining a fully resourced amphibious force, supported by maritime prepositioning. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson listens to a question during a sea services panel June 6 at the Navy League National Convention in Jacksonville. Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, the hub of Marine Corps prepositioning programs, underscored the importance of maritime readiness and strategic partnerships. An audience member asked about the potential for the Marine Corps to shift away from afloat squadrons in favor of ashore prepositioning sites. Watson stressed the importance of maintaining a fully resourced amphibious force, supported by maritime prepositioning. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

Retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris, introduces a sea services panel June 6 at the Navy League National Convention in Jacksonville. Harris, national vice president of the Navy League and senior executive director for Navy business development at ManTech, moderated the panel discussion. U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, Navy Capt. Brian Blaschke, deputy commodore of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11, and Coast Guard Capt. Janet Espino-Young, commanding officer of Sector Jacksonville, provided service updates then responded to audience questions. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris, introduces a sea services panel June 6 at the Navy League National Convention in Jacksonville. Harris, national vice president of the Navy League and senior executive director for Navy business development at ManTech, moderated the panel discussion. U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, Navy Capt. Brian Blaschke, deputy commodore of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11, and Coast Guard Capt. Janet Espino-Young, commanding officer of Sector Jacksonville, provided service updates then responded to audience questions. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, listens to Navy Capt. Brian Blaschke, deputy commodore of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11, speak about talent management during a sea services panel June 6 at the Navy League National Convention in Jacksonville. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, listens to Navy Capt. Brian Blaschke, deputy commodore of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11, speak about talent management during a sea services panel June 6 at the Navy League National Convention in Jacksonville. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson speaks during a sea services panel June 6 at the Navy League National Convention in Jacksonville. Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, the hub of Marine Corps prepositioning programs, underscored the importance of maritime readiness and strategic partnerships. He addressed key aspects of the Marine Corps' evolving strategies, underlining the service's commitment to maintaining readiness and adapting to emerging threats. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Luke Watson speaks during a sea services panel June 6 at the Navy League National Convention in Jacksonville. Watson, commanding officer of Blount Island Command and Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, the hub of Marine Corps prepositioning programs, underscored the importance of maritime readiness and strategic partnerships. He addressed key aspects of the Marine Corps' evolving strategies, underlining the service's commitment to maintaining readiness and adapting to emerging threats. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Esmeralda Cervantes receives the General Gerald C. Thomas Award for Inspirational Leadership during a professional excellence awards luncheon June 6 at the Navy League National Convention in Jacksonville. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Esmeralda Cervantes receives the General Gerald C. Thomas Award for Inspirational Leadership during a professional excellence awards luncheon June 6 at the Navy League National Convention in Jacksonville. (Official U.S. Marine Corps Photo/Dustin Senger)

Photo by Dustin Senger