The U.S. Presidential election is set for November 6, 2012. For US citizens currently living or serving in the following countries, you must consider mail transit time when submitting your ballot. FVAP and the Military Postal Service Agency recommend you mail back your ballot no later than: 22 days before the election: Iraq 17 days…

Photo by Sgt. Priscilla Sneden Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett throws the ceremonial first pitch at Marine Corps Day in Nationals Park Sept. 24. The event featured the Marine Corps Base Quantico Band playing the national anthem, the Marine Barracks Washington Color Guard and a heartwarming salute to wounded warriors in…

Photo by Cpl. Terence G. Brady Marines prepare to fire rounds from an M777A2 155 mm howitzer at East Fuji Maneuver Area in mainland Japan, Sept. 11. The Marines wait for fire commands from the fire direction center prior to sending rounds downrange. Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Petersheim Lance Cpl. Martin Williams, an automatic…

Photo by Cpl. Kyle N. Runnels United States Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 26, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), rush injured Marines on litters to an MV-22B Osprey during a mass casualty training exercise at Fort Pickett, Va., Sept. 14, 2012. A mass casualty is defined as any number of casualties produced in a…

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan  — Service members from different branches and different countries gathered together on Camp Leatherneck by the flag pole. The low sun cast long shadows across the somber faces as the attendants came to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001. A bell was rung to signal a moment of silence to remember…

Photo by Cpl. Ed Galo Soldiers with the Afghan National Army carry a simulated casualty on a stretcher and place him in an ambulance as part of a mass casualty simulation held at Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Sept. 9, 2012. During the mass casualty simulation, members of the ANA were given a list of symptoms and…

Photo by Cpl. Ed Galo Marines with Scout Sniper Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, Regimental Combat Team 6 exit a compound in Agha Ahmad, Afghanistan, Aug. 27, 2012. The Marines with Scout Sniper Platoon and their attachments stood in an over watch position to provide surveillance and gather intelligence on the enemy as…

Photo by Sgt. Aaron Hostutler Sgt. Justin D. Head, animal packing course chief instructor, exercises his mustang, Hondo, shortly after grazing. The animal packing course is the only one of its kind in the Department of Defense and teaches Marines and other military personnel how to effectively and efficiently work with beasts of burden to…