Capt. Owen Boyce (C) and 1st Sgt. Wesley Misenhimer (R). FOB Delhi, Afghanistan. December 2011.

U.S. Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks with Capt. Owen Boyce (middle) and 1st Sgt. Wesley Misenhimer (right), the commanding officer and first sergeant of Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment during a Christmas Day visit here, Dec. 25. Crammed inside the base’s dining facility, Dunford thanked the men of “America’s Battalion” for serving overseas during the holiday. He spoke about the importance of their mission in Garmsir district before answering questions on family programs and future deployments. “What’s happening in Afghanistan is the most important thing going on in the Marine Corps,” he told them. “You’re the main effort here and the transition you’re helping with is extraordinary. The reason I enjoy wearing this uniform is because of Marines and sailors like all of you.”