School of Infantry - West

The 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric M. Smith, stands at attention for honors during the Commandant of the Marine Corps Combined Awards Ceremony for Fiscal Year 2024 at The National Museum of the Marine Corps on Jan. 29, 2025. The Commandant of the Marine Corps Combined Awards Ceremony, established in 1995, honors the Recruiters, Drill Instructors, Marine Security Guards, and Marine Combat Instructors who embody the highest standards of character, commitment, and dedication to the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsey Dornfeld)

The 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric M. Smith, delivers remarks during the Commandant of the Marine Corps Combined Awards Program at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia, Jan. 29, 2025. The CMC Combined Awards Program recognized outstanding performance by Recruiters, Prior Service Recruiters, Drill Instructors, Marine Combat Instructors, Marine Security Guards, and Career Retention Specialists. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Barker)

The 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric M. Smith, gives remarks during the Commandant of the Marine Corps Combined Awards Ceremony for Fiscal Year 2024 at The National Museum of the Marine Corps on Jan. 29, 2025. The Commandant of the Marine Corps Combined Awards Ceremony, established in 1995, honors the Recruiters, Drill Instructors, Marine Security Guards, and Marine Combat Instructors who embody the highest standards of character, commitment, and dedication to the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chloe N. McAfee)

The 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric M. Smith, awards the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal to Gunnery Sgt. Frederick M. Padilla Jr., Marine Combat Instructor of the Year, during the Commandant of the Marine Corps Combined Awards Ceremony for Fiscal Year 2024 at The National Museum of the Marine Corps on Jan. 29, 2025. The Commandant of the Marine Corps Combined Awards Ceremony, established in 1995, honors the Recruiters, Drill Instructors, Marine Security Guards, and Marine Combat Instructors who embody the highest standards of character, commitment, and dedication to the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsey Dornfeld)

The 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric M. Smith, awards GySgt. Frederick M. Padilla Jr., a Marine Combat Instructor with the School of Infantry West, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., with the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for being the Marine Combat Instructor of the Year during the CMC Combined Awards Program at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia, Jan. 29, 2025. The CMC Combined Awards Program recognized outstanding performance by Recruiters, Prior Service Recruiters, Drill Instructors, Marine Combat Instructors, Marine Security Guards, and Career Retention Specialists. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Barker)

The 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Eric M. Smith and the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz, recite the “Marines Hymn” during the Commandant of the Marine Corps Combined Awards Ceremony for Fiscal Year 2024 at The National Museum of the Marine Corps on Jan. 29, 2025. The Commandant of the Marine Corps Combined Awards Ceremony, established in 1995, honors the Recruiters, Drill Instructors, Marine Security Guards, and Marine Combat Instructors who embody the highest standards of character, commitment, and dedication to the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Chloe N. McAfee)

A group of award warrants rest on a table ahead of the Commandant of the Marine Corps Combined Awards Ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps, Triangle, Virginia, Jan. 29, 2025. The CMC Combined Awards Program recognized outstanding performance by Recruiters, Prior Service Recruiters, Drill Instructors, Marine Combat Instructors, Marine Security Guards, and Career Retention Specialists. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Joshua Barker)