U.S. Marines with the Marine Corps Base Quantico Color Guard present the colors during the Fiscal Year 2023 Commandant’s Combined Awards Ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia, Feb. 8, 2024. The ceremony recognized and awarded eight Marines with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for their exceptional performance in their respective special duty assignments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Brandes)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, left, awards Gunnery Sergeant. Russel M. Regehr, a Combat Instructor with the School of Infantry-West, as the Runner-Up Combat Instructor of the Year during the Fiscal Year 2023 Commandant’s Combined Awards Ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia, Feb. 8, 2024. The ceremony recognized and awarded eight Marines with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for their exceptional performance in their respective special duty assignments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Brandes)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks during the Fiscal Year 2023 Commandant’s Combined Awards Ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia, Feb. 8, 2024.The ceremony recognized and awarded eight Marines with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for their exceptional performance in their respective special duty assignments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Brandes)

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks during the Fiscal Year 2023 Commandant’s Combined Awards Ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia, Feb. 8, 2024. The ceremony recognized and awarded eight Marines with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for their exceptional performance in their respective special duty assignments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Brandes)

U.S. Marines stand at attention for the Marines’ Hymn during the Fiscal Year 2023 Commandant’s Combined Awards Ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia, Feb. 8, 2024. . The ceremony recognized and awarded eight Marines with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for their exceptional performance in their respective special duty assignments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Brandes)

Winners of the Fiscal Year 2023 Commandant’s Combined Awards pose for a group photo with U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps and Sergeant Major. Carlos A. Ruiz, Sergeant Major of the U.S. Marine Corps, at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia, Feb. 8, 2024. The ceremony recognized and awarded eight Marines for their exceptional performance in various special duty assignments from around the world. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Brandes)