CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – A child plays with a Christmas toy during a 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas celebration here Dec. 14. Children also made Christmas cards and received gifts and sweets, but had to be careful because the Grinch was right around the corner waiting for the right opportunity to steal anything that he could get his hands on. - CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – A child plays with a Christmas toy during a 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit Christmas celebration here Dec. 14. Children also made Christmas cards and received gifts and sweets, but had to be careful because the Grinch was right around the corner waiting for the right opportunity to steal anything that he could get his hands on.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - HM3 Kevin Daniels, a Corpsman with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, receives a Christmas tree from The San Diego County Master Gardeners Association here, Dec. 9, as a gesture of appreciation for his military service. During the holidays, the Master Gardeners focus their efforts on distributing items like Christmas trees, decorations, and gifts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/RELEASED) - SAN DIEGO, Calif. - HM3 Kevin Daniels, a Corpsman with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, receives a Christmas tree from The San Diego County Master Gardeners Association here, Dec. 9, as a gesture of appreciation for his military service. During the holidays, the Master Gardeners focus their efforts on distributing items like Christmas trees, decorations, and gifts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Demetrius Morgan/RELEASED)

Naval Base San Diego, Calif. - Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit eat a traditional birthday cake after attending a live recording of ESPN's College Gameday alongside sailors aboard USS San Diego Nov. 10. Maj. Louis Lecher, the 11th MEU operations officer, was the oldest Marine present and he shared a piece of cake with Lance Cpl. Christian Milburn, 11th MEU data clerk, who was the youngest Marine present. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chad J. Pulliam) - Naval Base San Diego, Calif. - Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit eat a traditional birthday cake after attending a live recording of ESPN's College Gameday alongside sailors aboard USS San Diego Nov. 10. Maj. Louis Lecher, the 11th MEU operations officer, was the oldest Marine present and he shared a piece of cake with Lance Cpl. Christian Milburn, 11th MEU data clerk, who was the youngest Marine present. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chad J. Pulliam)

Marines with the 11th MEU’s command element properly break the seal of their masks during annual gas chamber confidence training here Oct 18. All Marines and sailors were instructed to poke two fingers through their masks while closing their eyes and holding their breath for as long as needed. They were then instructed to remove their fingers and properly clear their masks. - Marines with the 11th MEU’s command element properly break the seal of their masks during annual gas chamber confidence training here Oct 18. All Marines and sailors were instructed to poke two fingers through their masks while closing their eyes and holding their breath for as long as needed. They were then instructed to remove their fingers and properly clear their masks.

Cmdr. Jon W. Conroe, chaplain with the 11th MEU's command element, put on his new cover during a promotion ceremony here Aug. 31. Conroe said that his job is to provide guidance and mentorship to military service members based on a religious faith while facilitating the free exercise of religion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by PFC Demetrius Morgan/RELEASED) - Cmdr. Jon W. Conroe, chaplain with the 11th MEU's command element, put on his new cover during a promotion ceremony here Aug. 31. Conroe said that his job is to provide guidance and mentorship to military service members based on a religious faith while facilitating the free exercise of religion. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by PFC Demetrius Morgan/RELEASED)

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines and sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's command element march along a dirt road during a hike here Aug 24. The purpose of the hike was to bring the unit together and build camaraderie. It also was used to help condition Marines for more strenuous hikes in the future said Maj. Michael Estes, the 11th MEU executive officer. - CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - Marines and sailors with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's command element march along a dirt road during a hike here Aug 24. The purpose of the hike was to bring the unit together and build camaraderie. It also was used to help condition Marines for more strenuous hikes in the future said Maj. Michael Estes, the 11th MEU executive officer.

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Capt. Philipp Buckhahn, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's sexual assault response coordinator, instructs Marines with the 11th MEU and 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion here Aug. 14. The training includes slides, video clips, interactive discussions and role playing to give the training an interactive experience, said Buckhahn, a 30-year-old Saginaw, Mich., native. - CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Capt. Philipp Buckhahn, the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's sexual assault response coordinator, instructs Marines with the 11th MEU and 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion here Aug. 14. The training includes slides, video clips, interactive discussions and role playing to give the training an interactive experience, said Buckhahn, a 30-year-old Saginaw, Mich., native.

SAN DIEGO -- Cpl. Matt Guy, a reconnaissance Marine with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force, cuts steel at Strategic Operations Facility here Aug. 6. The raid force consists of a reconnaissance element, an infantry element, an Intelligence element, explosive ordnance disposal Marines and a 1st Air Naval Gunfire company detachment. - SAN DIEGO -- Cpl. Matt Guy, a reconnaissance Marine with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force, cuts steel at Strategic Operations Facility here Aug. 6. The raid force consists of a reconnaissance element, an infantry element, an Intelligence element, explosive ordnance disposal Marines and a 1st Air Naval Gunfire company detachment.