U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division, participate in the unit’s deactivation ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 26, 2023. The deactivation is in accordance with Force Design 2030’s modernization efforts. The battalion has played a valuable role in setting conditions for the 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, and future MLRs, to provide combat ready and lethal forces in the Indo-Pacific. 3d MLR and 12th Marines, which is scheduled to transition to an MLR in 2025, will provide ready and capable stand-in forces to the first island chain, bolstering the United States Indo-Pacific Command’s ability to support deterrence efforts and respond to potential crises with allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Israel Chincio) - U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division, participate in the unit’s deactivation ceremony on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 26, 2023. The deactivation is in accordance with Force Design 2030’s modernization efforts. The battalion has played a valuable role in setting conditions for the 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, and future MLRs, to provide combat ready and lethal forces in the Indo-Pacific. 3d MLR and 12th Marines, which is scheduled to transition to an MLR in 2025, will provide ready and capable stand-in forces to the first island chain, bolstering the United States Indo-Pacific Command’s ability to support deterrence efforts and respond to potential crises with allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Israel Chincio)

Lt. Col. Neil J. Owens, a Medford, Massachusetts native and the commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force gives insight into the upcoming Artillery Relocation and Training Program. ARTP is the foundation of combat readiness training for 3/12. - Lt. Col. Neil J. Owens, a Medford, Massachusetts native and the commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force gives insight into the upcoming Artillery Relocation and Training Program. ARTP is the foundation of combat readiness training for 3/12.

Marines enjoy a meal with cake served at the 12th Marines Mess Hall March 5 after being nominated for the Major General William Pendleton Thomas Hill Award at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. The inspection for the award was conducted by a three member team. The team included Jack L. Kleckner, Lt. Col. Richard D. Kohler and Master Gunnery Sgt. Brian M. Velloza. Steele, a native of Mt. Gilead, North Carolina is a mess manager with Headquarters Battery, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Kleckner, a native of Richfield, Minnesota, is an evaluator for the National Restaurant Association. Kohler, a native of Marion, Ohio, is the director of food services with Marine Corps Installations Command, Headquarters Marine Corps. Velloza, a native of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is the food services occupational field specialist with Marine Corps Installations Command, Headquarters Marine Corps. - Marines enjoy a meal with cake served at the 12th Marines Mess Hall March 5 after being nominated for the Major General William Pendleton Thomas Hill Award at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. The inspection for the award was conducted by a three member team. The team included Jack L. Kleckner, Lt. Col. Richard D. Kohler and Master Gunnery Sgt. Brian M. Velloza. Steele, a native of Mt. Gilead, North Carolina is a mess manager with Headquarters Battery, 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Kleckner, a native of Richfield, Minnesota, is an evaluator for the National Restaurant Association. Kohler, a native of Marion, Ohio, is the director of food services with Marine Corps Installations Command, Headquarters Marine Corps. Velloza, a native of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is the food services occupational field specialist with Marine Corps Installations Command, Headquarters Marine Corps.

Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Ryota Hasebe attached to 3rd Battalion 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force for two months starting Jan. 11 and ending March 13. During those two months Hasebe learned about U.S. Marine Corps Artillery and went to Twentynine Palms, California for Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. Hasebe, 28, studied Chinese Literature and graduated from Kokugakuin University in Tokyo before joining the JGSDF in 2011. Hasebe is now the battalion fire direction control officer for 1st Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment in Fukuoka Japan. - Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force 1st Lt. Ryota Hasebe attached to 3rd Battalion 12th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force for two months starting Jan. 11 and ending March 13. During those two months Hasebe learned about U.S. Marine Corps Artillery and went to Twentynine Palms, California for Integrated Training Exercise 2-15. Hasebe, 28, studied Chinese Literature and graduated from Kokugakuin University in Tokyo before joining the JGSDF in 2011. Hasebe is now the battalion fire direction control officer for 1st Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment in Fukuoka Japan.

Col. Lance A. McDaniel, left, congratulates Sgt. Jacob J. Baumann Jan. 14 on receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for potentially saving the life of a local Japanese gentleman. “Heroism often involves an ordinary man doing extraordinary things for others,” said McDaniel from Waco, Texas. “Recently Sgt. Baumann saw the opportunity and didn’t spend time thinking; he acted on behalf of someone else.” McDaniel is the commanding officer of 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Baumann is from Junction City, Kansas, and a fire support man with Headquarter Battery, 12th Marine Regiment. - Col. Lance A. McDaniel, left, congratulates Sgt. Jacob J. Baumann Jan. 14 on receiving the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for potentially saving the life of a local Japanese gentleman. “Heroism often involves an ordinary man doing extraordinary things for others,” said McDaniel from Waco, Texas. “Recently Sgt. Baumann saw the opportunity and didn’t spend time thinking; he acted on behalf of someone else.” McDaniel is the commanding officer of 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Baumann is from Junction City, Kansas, and a fire support man with Headquarter Battery, 12th Marine Regiment.