Frank Bond

1ST FSSG

U.S. Marine Corps

The 1st Force Service Support Group (1st FSSG) is a United States Marine Corps combat service support unit. It provides logistical and combat service support to Marine Expeditionary Forces in a variety of operational environments. The unit is capable of providing food, fuel, ammunition, medical, maintenance, transportation, and other essential support to Marines in the field. The 1st FSSG is trained and equipped to deploy rapidly and provide critical support to Marines engaged in combat operations.

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is a rapid-response, air-ground task force of the United States Marine Corps, established in 1982. Headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, it has participated in major operations including peacekeeping in Lebanon during the early 1980s, combat and humanitarian missions in Somalia and Bosnia in the 1990s, and multiple deployments in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The 24th MEU specializes in crisis response, often embarking aboard U.S. Navy amphibious ships as part of an Amphibious Ready Group. Its flexible composition allows the unit to conduct a wide range of missions, from combat operations to disaster relief around the globe.

The 4th Force Service Support Group (4th FSSG) was a unit of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, established to provide combat service support to Marine Forces Reserve units. Activated in 1962, 4th FSSG was headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and comprised various subordinate units specializing in logistics, supply, maintenance, medical, and transportation. Throughout its history, the 4th FSSG played a vital role in supporting both training exercises and operational deployments, including mobilizations for Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2006, the unit was reorganized and redesignated as the 4th Marine Logistics Group (4th MLG), continuing its legacy of logistical excellence within the Marine Corps Reserve.

The 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps, originally activated in 1914 in response to political instability in the Caribbean. The unit saw distinguished service in World War II, notably during the battles of Guam and Okinawa. During the Vietnam War, 2/4 earned the nickname "The Magnificent Bastards" for their fierce fighting in places like Con Thien and Operation Hastings. In recent decades, 2/4 has deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, continuing its legacy of bravery and adaptability in modern combat operations.

The **11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU)**, activated in 1979, is a forward-deployed, rapid-response force of the United States Marine Corps based at Camp Pendleton, California. As part of the I Marine Expeditionary Force, the 11th MEU is designed to deploy quickly by sea, air, or land to conduct a range of missions, including amphibious assaults, humanitarian assistance, and crisis response operations. Over the decades, the 11th MEU has participated in major operations such as Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing vital support in combat and peacekeeping roles. The unit continues to serve as a key element of America’s global force-in-readiness, routinely deploying to the Western Pacific and the Middle East.

Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, South Carolina, was officially established as a Marine training facility in 1915 and has since become one of the most iconic sites for Marine Corps recruit training. During World War I and World War II, the depot played a pivotal role in training hundreds of thousands of Marines for combat. Over the decades, Parris Island has been the primary training location for all enlisted male Marines east of the Mississippi River and for all female Marine recruits nationwide. The depot’s storied legacy is marked by its rigorous training regimen and its lasting contribution to shaping generations of United States Marines.

The **31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU)**, activated in 1967, is the United States Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed MEU, based out of Okinawa, Japan. Throughout its history, the 31st MEU has participated in numerous operations across the Indo-Pacific region, including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and combat missions such as Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Renowned for its rapid-response capability, the unit frequently conducts training exercises with regional allies to strengthen partnerships and ensure regional security. Today, the 31st MEU remains a vital part of the U.S. military’s commitment to maintaining stability and readiness in the Asia-Pacific theater.

The 1/6TH MARINES, also known as the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, is a Marine Corps infantry battalion based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They are part of the 2nd Marine Division and are trained to conduct amphibious and expeditionary operations. The battalion has a rich history of service, having been activated during World War II and participating in numerous conflicts since then. They are known for their discipline, readiness, and professionalism in carrying out their missions.