12th MLR Marines Make History as First to Achieve Non-Commissioned Officer Ranks on Camp Ishigaki During RD24

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jack Kemppainen, a transmissions chief with 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division reads a promotion warrant while conducting a promotion ceremony during exercise Resolute Dragon 24 at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 1, 2024. Cpl. Lee is the first Marine to be promoted into the noncommissioned officer ranks on JGSDF Camp Ishigaki. Lee’s responsibilities as a corporal in his military occupational specialty range from ensuring the technical and tactical proficiency of his subordinates to the management of more than $600,000 worth of communications gear. RD 24 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. Kemppainen is a native of Montana. Lee is a native of Alaska.

12th MLR Marines Make His...

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Alyssa Chuluda/Released 240801-M-VR873-2046.JPG

Oct 21, 2024

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Jack Kemppainen, a transmissions chief with 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division reads a promotion warrant while conducting a promotion ceremony during exercise Resolute Dragon 24 at Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Camp Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan, Aug. 1, 2024. Cpl. Lee is the first Marine to be promoted into the noncommissioned officer ranks on JGSDF Camp Ishigaki. Lee’s responsibilities as a corporal in his military occupational specialty range from ensuring the technical and tactical proficiency of his subordinates to the management of more than $600,000 worth of communications gear. RD 24 is an annual bilateral exercise in Japan that strengthens the command, control, and multi-domain maneuver capabilities of U.S. Marines in III Marine Expeditionary Force and Japan Self-Defense Force personnel, with a focus on controlling and defending key maritime terrain. Kemppainen is a native of Montana. Lee is a native of Alaska.

DOWNLOAD

CAMERA

Canon EOS R

LENS

RF24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM

APERTURE

45/10

SHUTTERSPEED

1/800

ISO

100

IMAGE IS PUBLIC DOMAIN

This photograph is considered public domain and has been cleared for release. If you would like to republish please give the photographer appropriate credit. Further, any commercial or non-commercial use of this photograph or any other DoD image must be made in compliance with guidance found at https://www.dimoc.mil/resources/limitations, which pertains to intellectual property restrictions (e.g., copyright and trademark, including the use of official emblems, insignia, names and slogans), warnings regarding use of images of identifiable personnel, appearance of endorsement, and related matters.