TAMUNING, GUAM – On 27 January 2026, to strengthen the resiliency and unit cohesion of Marines and service members spread across the Indo-Pacific, Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC) hosted a personal resiliency retreat (PRR) on Guam through the Chaplains Religious Enrichment Development Operation (CREDO) program. This PRR marks the first event of its kind to be held on the island.The retreat marks a significant step in expanding support to military personnel throughout the region. “Our team is committed to supporting the service members on Guam, and especially our growing Marine Corps partners at Camp Blaz,” said Chaplain Alfred V. Pena. MCIPAC CREDO Director. “We provide resources for creating and maintaining military leaders who
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BLAZ, Guam - During National Blood Donor Month, Camp Blaz’s call to action was to host a successful blood drive for the new year. Spearheaded by Sgt. Kendall Jones and Lance Cpl. Afton Smiley, both stationed at Camp Blaz. They coordinated with Naval Hospital Guam’s Armed Services Blood Program to find a venue, set up personnel, and solicit for donors.From early morning, service members and civilians lined up with a shared goal: to save as many lives as possible. The donations collected serve a greater purpose of providing support to those who may need lifesaving blood during training, medical emergencies, or operational missions.
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For 2nd Lt. Joshua Poulson, the Marine Corps is more than a career — it is the foundation that shaped his drive, resilience and competitive spirit. That foundation carried him to first place at the Marianas Open Jiu Jitsu Tournament Oct. 18, 2025.Poulson’s journey began humbly. As a private, he balanced the demands of military life with community college courses, working toward a bachelor's degree.“I applied to community college my first year in the reserves,” Poulson said. “So, I did a bunch of college classes when I was in the reserves and then I got activated as a Motor Transportation Operator and I finished my degree when I was active duty.”
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Oxygen hisses softly through the gas mask as it seals. Temperature rises. Breathing becomes effort. The weight of gear presses into shoulders already used to carrying the load of a Marine’s standard kit. For those in the CBRN field, this environment is familiar – uncomfortable, demanding and unforgiving. Every action requires sharp focus and attention to detail. Through repetition and motivation, U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Christopher Benon has learned to steady his breathing, quiet the panic and operate with precision under pressure. What was once overwhelming eventually became habit, and habit keeps people alive.Benon serves as a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) specialist at MCAS Iwakuni. A native of Cleveland,
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