C-130T Hercules named ‘Fat Albert’ provides passengers with bird’s-eye view at air show: Since 1975, a C-130T “Hercules,” manned by an all-Marine crew, has been used for logistic support of the Blue Angels…It was interesting to see the male and female flight attendants, who were not strapped in, holding onto a pole or a ladder with their feet almost touching the overhead.

Behold the Power of Books – The story behind my decision to join the Marine Corps: I was eighteen, free, and full of wonder. And I had a master plan: go to college and study Architecture. I was going to knock Frank Lloyd Wright off the charts. Plan A didn’t work out as I imagined, though, and once I was dismissed from college after one semester of a curious adventure full of regretless experiences, I panicked with fear of failing as a grown-up. The clock was ticking and if I was to survive I had to quickly assemble Plan B.

Play in Southern California views war’s personal price tag: “Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter” focuses on a returning veteran suffering not just PTSD and the use of a prosthetic leg but something far deeper, an identity crisis. Julie Marie Myatt’s 2006 drama could essentially apply to any military conflict that involved the United States. What anchors the story and its characters to the 21st century is the fact that its protagonist is a female Marine.

“I particularly remember one day way in the beginning of training when all of us were depressed from missing home, hated boot camp and despised the word “scuzz” I walked in the head humming to myself “My Girl” by the Temptations. I realized that by the time I hummed the chorus everyone in the head began softly humming it too.” – Molly Marine PFC Bowens, Stephanie A., Rochester, NY, Plt 4012. And PFC Baer, Stephanie A., Omaha, NE Plt 4013, N Co. Article.

LCpl Tiffany Webster, a postal clerk with Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Marine Logistics Group sorts through mail at the postal warehouse April 12, at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan. Webster and the other postal Marines handle all the mail that Regional Command South receives everyday. Article.

Cpl Stephanie Kennedy, a Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 31 aviations supply specialist cleans her son off after finger painting, April 21. Article: Single Military Parents Overcome Challenges.

Sgt Teresa Diaz, a wireman with the data element of Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1, helps her 1-year-old daughter Giselle walk before departing for a seven-month deployment to Afghanistan on April 13. Article.

Service members who make the ultimate sacrifice while serving in a combat zone are known as ‘Fallen Angels.’ Marines with the Personnel Retrieval and Processing detachment, 1st Marine Logistics Group process the remains of the Angels and inventory their personal effects before sending them on their journey home. Article.

Cpl Diana Navarrete, the NCO in charge of pay section, H&S Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Arlington, VA, picks up a piece of trash on April 22, 2010. Marines at installations around the world participated in base cleanups in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Article.

Photos via Where the Difference Begins:

Marines from the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band eat and socialize during a planking ceremony after Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 451 was redesignated as Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501 April 2, 2010, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
Photo by Cpl. James F. Cline III

Marine Corps LCpl Deborah Slagboom, attached to Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, documents the Marine Corps band as it marches in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Savannah, GA., March 17, 2010. Photo by Cpl Erik Anderson.

Rep. Loretta Sanchez poses for a photograph with LCpl Amaranta Khosravi-Sanchez and LCpl Joe Sanchez April 6, 2010, in Zamboanga City, Philippines. Both Marines are currently assigned to Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines. Photo by Sgt Jose Castellon-Lopez.

LCpl Megan Sindelar, a combat correspondent with I Marine Expeditionary Force, interviews Afghan National Army soldiers after water polo practice at Camp Shorebak, Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, April 7, 2010. Photo by Cpl Lindsay Sayres.