U.S. Marine 1st Sgt. Robert Gaines (retired) (center), guest of honor, and Marines Brig. Gen. Charles L. Hudson (right), commanding general, 1st Marine Logistics Group, and Sgt. Maj. Steven Lara (left), 1st MLG, pose for a group photo before the 234th Marine Corps Birthday Ball ceremony here at the South Mesa Staff Non-commissioned Officer's Club. Gaines was assigned to 7th Marines as a 'Plank Owner,' and served in six campaigns in Korea, to include the Chosin Reservoir Campaign. - U.S. Marine 1st Sgt. Robert Gaines (retired) (center), guest of honor, and Marines Brig. Gen. Charles L. Hudson (right), commanding general, 1st Marine Logistics Group, and Sgt. Maj. Steven Lara (left), 1st MLG, pose for a group photo before the 234th Marine Corps Birthday Ball ceremony here at the South Mesa Staff Non-commissioned Officer's Club. Gaines was assigned to 7th Marines as a 'Plank Owner,' and served in six campaigns in Korea, to include the Chosin Reservoir Campaign.

From the Battle of Chapultepec to current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, non-commissioned officers have led the charge on and off the battlefield since the birth of the Corps. Marines are given added responsibilities when they join the NCO ranks, but some Marines believe those responsibilities are slowly being stripped away. Former Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Charles C. Krulak, wrote 'Micro-management must become a thing of the past and supervision -- that double-edged sword -- must be complemented by proactive mentoring.' - From the Battle of Chapultepec to current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, non-commissioned officers have led the charge on and off the battlefield since the birth of the Corps. Marines are given added responsibilities when they join the NCO ranks, but some Marines believe those responsibilities are slowly being stripped away. Former Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Charles C. Krulak, wrote 'Micro-management must become a thing of the past and supervision -- that double-edged sword -- must be complemented by proactive mentoring.'

All active duty service members can get the seasonal flu vaccination at their local organizational aid stations. The H1N1 virus vaccine is expected to be available by early November. Vaccination is the best method for flu prevention. - All active duty service members can get the seasonal flu vaccination at their local organizational aid stations. The H1N1 virus vaccine is expected to be available by early November. Vaccination is the best method for flu prevention.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Stonny B. Hammond, maintenance analyst with Field Supply and Maintenance Analysis Office, Installations and Logistics, Headquarters Marine Corps, inspects the data plate on a generator at the Combat Logistics Battalion 5 motor pool at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 2. . The FSMAO staff overlooks the entire unit’s gear to ensure they have an accurate count of equipment that the unit has on their records. - Master Gunnery Sgt. Stonny B. Hammond, maintenance analyst with Field Supply and Maintenance Analysis Office, Installations and Logistics, Headquarters Marine Corps, inspects the data plate on a generator at the Combat Logistics Battalion 5 motor pool at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Nov. 2. . The FSMAO staff overlooks the entire unit’s gear to ensure they have an accurate count of equipment that the unit has on their records.