3d Marine Division

12th Marine Regiment conducts SPIE rigging and rappelling exercises

A U.S. Marine with 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division rappels off a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 14, 2020. SPIE rigging and rappelling techniques are used to rapidly insert and extract Marines when a landing zone is unavailable. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jackson Dukes) Click herefor more photos

Long Distance High Frequency Training with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment

U.S. Marines Sgt. Chase Schmidt (left) and Cpl. Jacob Worshan set up an antenna during a long distance, high-frequency communications training event held on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 14, 2020. This training between 1st and 3rd Marine Division allowed both units to train in HF communications over the Pacific ocean. The training helps the units maintain a low electromagnetic signature that is virtually impervious to meaconing, jamming, and interference, which allows for distributed operations without detection in the operating environment. Schmidt, a native of Gulf Breeze, Fla., and Worshan, a native of Calhoun, Ga., are radio operators currently under 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christian Ayers) Click here for more photos

U.S. Marine Pfc. Christian Cosper conducts rappelling during a Helicopter Rope Suspension Technique (HRST) course on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 8, 2019. Marines and Sailors conducted HRST training in order to maintain their combat readiness and lethality. Cosper, a data systems administrator with 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force Information Groups' Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christian Ayers) Click here for more photos

This video shows highlights from events 3rd Marine Division Marines participated in during 2019. The compilation of video footage shows a glimpse into the division operational tempo throughout the Indo Pacific Theater. The divisions will continue to do what it was originally created for: train, support and deploy Marines in preparation of future operations in 2020. (U.S. Marine Corps video edited by SSgt. Albert J. Carls) Click here to watch the video

3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Relief and Appointment

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Marcos Cordero with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, reports to U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Andrew MacDougall during a relief and appointment ceremony at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 18, 2019. This traditional ceremony symbolizes the passing of responsibilities from Sgt. Maj. Marcos A. Cordero to Sgt. Maj. Aaron Colling. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cameron Parks) click here for more photos

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Caltrap News

3rd Reconnaissance Battalion Relief and Appointment Ceremony By Cpl. Cameron Parks | January 5, 2020 CAMP SCHWAB, OKINAWA, Japan – U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Marcos A. Cordero relinquished his billet as 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. Aaron C. Colling during a relief and appointment ceremony held at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 18, 2019. MORE

3d Marine Division conducts battalion force on force event to conclude Fuji Viper 20-2 By Lance Cpl. Ujian Gosun | January 5, 2020 CAMP FUJI, GOTEMBA, Japan – U.S. Marines and Sailors with 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, as part of the Unit Deployment Program, conduct a battalion force on force event to conclude Fuji Viper 20-2 on Camp Fuji, Gotemba, Japan, from Dec. 16 - 17, 2019. MORE

3rd Marine Division challenges junior Marines with war games By Cpl. Timothy Hernandez | December 16, 2019 CAMP SCHWAB, Okinawa, Japan -- U.S. Marines with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, participated in a tournament style board game, Memoir 44’, to analyze individual Marines’ strategic decision making skills on Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Japan, Dec. 10, 2019. MORE

Forest Light Middle Army Begins By 1st Lt. Brett Vannier | December 2, 2019 Shiga, Japan – U.S. Marines and Soldiers from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force will conduct training exercise Forest Light Middle Army at Aibano Training Area in the Shiga Prefecture of Japan from Dec. 1 to Dec. 13, 2019. MORE

3d Marine Division assists U.S. Army Vessel Harpers Ferry By Sgt. David Staten | November 25, 2019 U.S. NAVAL STATION WHITE BEACH, OKINAWA, Japan -- U.S. Marine Corps and Navy divers with 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, conducted a dive operation to inspect U.S. Army Vessel Harpers Ferry, which was experiencing technical issues at Naval Station White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 15, 2019. MORE

Tiger TRIUMPH: U.S. Sailor returns to India during inaugural exercise By Lance Cpl. Armando Elizalde | November 24, 2019 VISAKHAPATHNAM, India -- U.S. Marines and Sailors arrived aboard the USS Germantown (LSD 42) in Visakhapatnam, India, Nov. 13, 2019 to make history by participating in the first-ever tri-service exercise Tiger TRIUMPH between the U.S. and Indian. The exercise gave the U.S. and Indian forces the opportunity to exchange knowledge and learn from each other as well as establish personal and professional relationships. MORE

3d Marine Division Leaders

Major General William M. Jurney
Commanding General
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Colonel Mark H. Clingan
Assistant Division Commander
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Sergeant Major Dennis M. Bradley
Sergeant Major
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Command Master Chief Christopher T. Stone
Command Master Chief
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Mission

On order, 3d Marine Division conducts amphibious, forcible entry operations or sustained, combined arms land operations with strategic partners and allies, as an integral part of III MEF within the Pacific Theater Area of Operations (AO) in support of national security objectives.