U.S. Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embark the USS Wasp during Amphibious Squadron Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration (PMINT) at U.S. Naval Station Norfolk, Virgina, Dec. 5, 2023. PMINT is the 24th MEU’s first opportunity in the pre-deployment training cycle to fully integrate with the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group. During PMINT, the Marines and Sailors are tested across required operational capabilities and projected operating environments through a variety of simulated and live events. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Elton Taylor)
U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1/8, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a simulated night raid on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, November 16, 2023. A raid is a mission requiring a small force to swiftly penetrate hostile territory to secure information, confuse the enemy, or to destroy their installations, and ends with a planned withdrawal upon completion of the mission. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Jacqueline Peguero-Montes)
MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – In the dead of night, a specialized section of the Marine Corps infantry drags themselves through the thick North Carolina brush. U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Moriah Hollander holds her 60mm mortar with one arm and pulls herself forward with the other. The Marines stealthily make their way to their mortar firing position, ready to rain hellfire on the targets of Range Golf 36.
Along with many Americans in August of 2021, Hollander witnessed the devastation caused by the bombing in Kabul during Operation Allies Refuge. She knew then and there that she wanted to serve a higher calling and joined the Marine Corps infantry.
“I saw what happened in Kabul,” said Hollander. “I thought...
