Corporal Paul A. Spies, 23, from Corvallis, Ore., a combat engineer with Alpha Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), glances at a wall adorned with framed photos of fallen brethren at the Regional Command Southwest headquarters building at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, June 23. Spies is the brainchild of the ‘Afghan Adopt a Road Initiative,’ an initiative that, if approved, could help counter the number one threat to coalition forces – IEDs. In exchange for Afghan villagers helping to reduce or eliminate IEDs on their roads, they would receive incentives such as medical and dental care, as well as infrastructure support in the form of schools, wells and irrigation. Upon further review, commanders will decide whether or not to launch the AARI program. - Corporal Paul A. Spies, 23, from Corvallis, Ore., a combat engineer with Alpha Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), glances at a wall adorned with framed photos of fallen brethren at the Regional Command Southwest headquarters building at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, June 23. Spies is the brainchild of the ‘Afghan Adopt a Road Initiative,’ an initiative that, if approved, could help counter the number one threat to coalition forces – IEDs. In exchange for Afghan villagers helping to reduce or eliminate IEDs on their roads, they would receive incentives such as medical and dental care, as well as infrastructure support in the form of schools, wells and irrigation. Upon further review, commanders will decide whether or not to launch the AARI program.

Corporal Paul A. Spies, 23, from Corvallis, Ore., a combat engineer with Alpha Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), glances at a wall adorned with framed photos of fallen brethren at the Regional Command Southwest headquarters building at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, June 23. Spies is the brainchild of the ‘Afghan Adopt a Road Initiative,’ an initiative that, if approved, could help counter the number one threat to coalition forces – IEDs. In exchange for Afghan villagers helping to reduce or eliminate IEDs on their roads, they would receive incentives such as medical and dental care, as well as infrastructure support in the form of schools, wells and irrigation. Upon further review, commanders will decide whether or not to launch the AARI program. - Corporal Paul A. Spies, 23, from Corvallis, Ore., a combat engineer with Alpha Company, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), glances at a wall adorned with framed photos of fallen brethren at the Regional Command Southwest headquarters building at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, June 23. Spies is the brainchild of the ‘Afghan Adopt a Road Initiative,’ an initiative that, if approved, could help counter the number one threat to coalition forces – IEDs. In exchange for Afghan villagers helping to reduce or eliminate IEDs on their roads, they would receive incentives such as medical and dental care, as well as infrastructure support in the form of schools, wells and irrigation. Upon further review, commanders will decide whether or not to launch the AARI program.

Corporals Jordan and Jade Myles, 20, from Niagara Falls, N.Y., are twin brother and sister who reunited in Afghanistan after being apart for nearly two years. They’re deployed to Afghanistan in support of the International Security Assistance Force. Jade is a radio operator on Camp Leatherneck with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward). Jordan is bulk fuel specialist at nearby Forward Operating Base Price with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st MLG (FWD). (Courtesy Photo) - Corporals Jordan and Jade Myles, 20, from Niagara Falls, N.Y., are twin brother and sister who reunited in Afghanistan after being apart for nearly two years. They’re deployed to Afghanistan in support of the International Security Assistance Force. Jade is a radio operator on Camp Leatherneck with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward). Jordan is bulk fuel specialist at nearby Forward Operating Base Price with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st MLG (FWD). (Courtesy Photo)

A fit and trim Lance Cpl. Clifton Perkins, a motor transportation operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), poses next to a “7-Ton” Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement. Before entering the Marine Corps, Perkins weighed in at 310 pounds and was able to shed more than100 pounds within a six month period prior to enlisting. - A fit and trim Lance Cpl. Clifton Perkins, a motor transportation operator with Combat Logistics Battalion 6, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), poses next to a “7-Ton” Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement. Before entering the Marine Corps, Perkins weighed in at 310 pounds and was able to shed more than100 pounds within a six month period prior to enlisting.

Close since childhood, Lance Cpls. Jovanny (left) and Yahaira Cosme took the challenge of becoming United States Marines together and pose for a photo upon completion of Marine Combat Training aboard Camp Geiger, N.C. in 2009. The siblings have completed almost all of their Marine Corps training together, both are based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., and are currently in the midst of a deployment to Afghanistan. - Close since childhood, Lance Cpls. Jovanny (left) and Yahaira Cosme took the challenge of becoming United States Marines together and pose for a photo upon completion of Marine Combat Training aboard Camp Geiger, N.C. in 2009. The siblings have completed almost all of their Marine Corps training together, both are based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., and are currently in the midst of a deployment to Afghanistan.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Beatriz M. Salinas, surgical technician with Surgical Company B, 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), prepares a work station for an operation at the United Kingdom Bastion Hospital, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 19. Salinas, 24, from Hialeah, Fla., is one of three corpsmen of 1st MLG (FWD) partnered with the joint hospital staff to treat trauma patients wounded in combat. The United States and the U.K.’s partnership plays an important role in the success if this hospital. - Petty Officer 2nd Class Beatriz M. Salinas, surgical technician with Surgical Company B, 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), prepares a work station for an operation at the United Kingdom Bastion Hospital, Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, May 19. Salinas, 24, from Hialeah, Fla., is one of three corpsmen of 1st MLG (FWD) partnered with the joint hospital staff to treat trauma patients wounded in combat. The United States and the U.K.’s partnership plays an important role in the success if this hospital.