SGT William D. Dycus, a 21-year-old from Vidor, Texas, is redefining what it means to be a combat leader for Marines in D Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5. Dycus was recently promoted to his present rank for his cool, calm demeanor and eladership of his Marines under fire. He's earned the respect of his seniors and admiration from his Marines for his performance as a vehicle commander.
Pic: Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva

SGT William D. Dycus keeps a steady eye ahead while he and his fellow "Team Gator" Marines patrol the highways near Fallujah. Team Gator, built around D Company, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, patrols the highways, searching for improvised explosive devices and insurgent criminals. They keep those highway open for Coalition and civilian traffic.
Pic: Gunnery Sgt. Mark Oliva

SPC Joshua Reed of Company A, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, of Multi-National Division – Baghdad, searches for possible weapons caches in the outskirts of western Baghdad. Tips from local civilians have assisted in finding numerous caches. This search resulted in the destruction of 20 x 120mm mortar rounds buried near a road. Pic: lLT Rob Murray

1SG Mario Terenas from 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, shakes the hand of a young Iraqi boy in the city of Ribiyah, Iraq near Forward Operating Base Heider.
Pic: SSG Russell Lee Klika

1LT Patrick Rice, scout platoon leader, Troop B, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, checks his map during a night dismounted cordon and knock mission. Pic: SSG Kevin Lovel

Soldiers from Multi-National Division Baghdad's Troop B, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and Iraqi army soldiers from 5th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, talk with a local farmer. Pic: SSG Kevin Lovel

Soldiers from Multi-National Division – Baghdad's Troop B, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, along with Iraqi army soldiers from 5th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, conduct a dismounted patrol during a cordon and knock mission. Pic: SSG Kevin Lovel

SGT Gail Gray was one of the first women certified to drive a D-9, bull dozier, in combat.