Jay Hommer

The 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion (2nd AAV Bn) is a United States Marine Corps unit established in March 1942 at Camp Elliott, California. Originally activated as the 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, it played a vital role in World War II, particularly in the Pacific campaigns such as Tarawa, Saipan, and Okinawa, providing amphibious assault capabilities. The battalion has since participated in numerous conflicts, including the Korean War, Operation Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terrorism, supporting Marine infantry with armored amphibian vehicles. Stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 2nd AAV Bn continues to provide the Marine Corps with essential mechanized amphibious assault and mobility support.

3rd Marine Division

U.S. Marine Corps

The 3rd Marine Division is a unit of the United States Marine Corps based at Camp Courtney in Okinawa, Japan. It is one of three active duty divisions in the Marine Corps and is tasked with conducting amphibious and expeditionary operations in the Pacific region. The division is made up of approximately 16,000 Marines and sailors, organized into regiments, battalions, and companies. The 3rd Marine Division has a long and storied history, participating in numerous campaigns and battles throughout its existence.

The Marine Corps Finance Center (MCFC) was established in 1950 in Kansas City, Missouri, to centralize and streamline financial operations for the United States Marine Corps. Its primary mission was to manage military pay, travel allowances, and other financial matters for Marines worldwide, ensuring accurate and timely disbursement of funds. The MCFC played a crucial role in modernizing accounting and payroll systems, especially during periods of expansion such as the Korean and Vietnam Wars. In 1995, the Finance Center's functions were consolidated into the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), marking the end of the MCFC as a distinct entity but leaving a legacy of fiscal stewardship within the Marine Corps.

**MCCRTG-10** (Marine Corps Combat Readiness Training Group Ten) was established in the early 1990s to enhance the combat readiness of deploying Marine units on the West Coast. Based at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, MCCRTG-10 specialized in designing and conducting realistic, scenario-based training exercises that simulated modern battlefield conditions. The unit played a key role in preparing Marine battalions for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan by providing advanced pre-deployment training and evaluation. MCCRTG-10’s expertise in combined arms training contributed significantly to the operational effectiveness of Marine forces during the Global War on Terror.