Pacific Marines Stories

Senior enlisted leaders from across the Indo-Pacific pose for a group photo following the Command Senior Enlisted Leaders Program during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii, June 16, 2026. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year marked the 12th iteration of the symposium, hosting senior leaders from 25 participating nations committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose Villasenor) - Senior enlisted leaders from across the Indo-Pacific pose for a group photo following the Command Senior Enlisted Leaders Program during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii, June 16, 2026. Bringing together experts and leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, PALS fosters collaboration among allied and partner amphibious and maritime forces to share knowledge and recent operational insights. This year marked the 12th iteration of the symposium, hosting senior leaders from 25 participating nations committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jose Villasenor)

International military spouses pose for a group photo at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency during the spouse program as part of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 18, 2026. The relationships strengthened at PALS contribute to regional stability and crisis response capabilities, supporting mutual international interests. This year's symposium hosted senior leaders from 25 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Audrie Nelson) - International military spouses pose for a group photo at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency during the spouse program as part of the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2026 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 18, 2026. The relationships strengthened at PALS contribute to regional stability and crisis response capabilities, supporting mutual international interests. This year's symposium hosted senior leaders from 25 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Audrie Nelson)

Sgt. Maj. Joy M. Kitashima, center, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, thanks Fleet Command Master Sgt. Feliciano A. Lazo, right, sergeant major, Armed Forces of the Philippines, in front of group of senior enlisted leaders from several countries during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, July 8, 2025, in Manila, Philippines. As part of PALS, this was the first time senior enlisted leaders had a dedicated forum to come together to build relationships and discuss ways to better mentor, lead, and develop their enlisted forces. Through discussions, engagements, and presentations, PALS enhances cooperation, tackles common threats, protects shared resources, and maintains sovereignty in the Indo-Pacific. This year’s symposium hosted senior leaders from 23 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. Master Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy M. Vought, left, senior enlisted advisor of communication strategy and operations, MARFORPAC, prepares a gift to be presented to Lazo. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Marine Corps) - Sgt. Maj. Joy M. Kitashima, center, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, thanks Fleet Command Master Sgt. Feliciano A. Lazo, right, sergeant major, Armed Forces of the Philippines, in front of group of senior enlisted leaders from several countries during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium, July 8, 2025, in Manila, Philippines. As part of PALS, this was the first time senior enlisted leaders had a dedicated forum to come together to build relationships and discuss ways to better mentor, lead, and develop their enlisted forces. Through discussions, engagements, and presentations, PALS enhances cooperation, tackles common threats, protects shared resources, and maintains sovereignty in the Indo-Pacific. This year’s symposium hosted senior leaders from 23 participating nations who are committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific, with the objective of strengthening and developing regional relationships. Master Gunnery Sgt. Jeremy M. Vought, left, senior enlisted advisor of communication strategy and operations, MARFORPAC, prepares a gift to be presented to Lazo. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Marine Corps)

Sri Lankan Navy Rear Adm. Udeni Indranatha Serasinghe, Director General land Operation and Director, Sri Lanka Navy Infantry and Navy Marine, asks a question during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 24, 2018. - Sri Lankan Navy Rear Adm. Udeni Indranatha Serasinghe, Director General land Operation and Director, Sri Lanka Navy Infantry and Navy Marine, asks a question during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 24, 2018. PALS brings together senior leaders of allied and partner militaries with significant interest in the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region to discuss key aspects of maritime/amphibious operations, capability development, crisis response and interoperability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Maximiliano Rosas)

Senior military leaders from around the Indo-Pacific region gather for the 4th annual Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 22, 2018. - Senior military leaders from around the Indo-Pacific region gather for the 4th annual Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 22, 2018. PALS brings together senior leaders of allied and partner militaries with significant interest in the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region to discuss key aspects of maritime/amphibious operations, capability development, crisis response and interoperability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick Mahoney)

Vietnamese Senior Capt. Le Xuan Thuy, deputy commander, Naval Zone 4, Republic of Vietnam Navy; and Senior Lt. Bui Van Luong, Republic of Vietnam Navy, speak to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Nathan Nastase, assistant chief of staff, G-3/5/7 Division, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 23, 2018. - Vietnamese Senior Capt. Le Xuan Thuy, deputy commander, Naval Zone 4, Republic of Vietnam Navy; and Senior Lt. Bui Van Luong, Republic of Vietnam Navy, speak to U.S. Marine Corps Col. Nathan Nastase, assistant chief of staff, G-3/5/7 Division, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 23, 2018. During the symposium, military services from around the world build a closer military-to-military bond with one another. Closer bonds between other militaries facilitate clear lines of communication and foster a spirit of cooperation to meet potential global challenges. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jonathan E. Lopez Cruet)

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Armando Daviu, center left, U.S. Marine Corps personnel exchange officer to the Peruvian Marine Corps, translates for Peruvian Navy Vice Adm. Fernando Cerdan, commanding general, Pacific Operations, during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 23, 2018. - U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Armando Daviu, center left, U.S. Marine Corps personnel exchange officer to the Peruvian Marine Corps, translates for Peruvian Navy Vice Adm. Fernando Cerdan, commanding general, Pacific Operations, during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 23, 2018. During the symposium, military services from around the world build a closer military-to-military bond with one another. Closer bonds between other militaries facilitate clear lines of communication and foster a spirit of cooperation to meet potential global challenges. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jonathan E. Lopez Cruet)

Indian Brigadier Arun Chaloli Gopinath, commander, Infantry Brigade India, asks a question during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 22, 2018. - Indian Brigadier Arun Chaloli Gopinath, commander, Infantry Brigade India, asks a question during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 22, 2018. PALS brings together senior leaders of allied and partner militaries with significant interest in the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region to discuss key aspects of maritime/amphibious operations, capability development, crisis response and interoperability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick Mahoney)

Japan Self Defense Force Maj. Gen. Shinichi Aoki, left, commanding general, Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, shakes hands with Indonesian Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Nur Alamsyah, commander, 2nd Marine Forces, during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 22, 2018. - Japan Self Defense Force Maj. Gen. Shinichi Aoki, left, commanding general, Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, shakes hands with Indonesian Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Nur Alamsyah, commander, 2nd Marine Forces, during the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) 2018 in Honolulu, Hawaii, May 22, 2018. The purpose of PALS is to bring together senior leaders of allied and partner militaries with an interest in amphibious operations and capability development in order to foster stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Patrick Mahoney)

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific hosts the 4th annual Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) with representatives of 22 allied and partner militaries from around the Indo-Pacific region in Hawaii May 21-24, 2018. - U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific hosts the 4th annual Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) with representatives of 22 allied and partner militaries from around the Indo-Pacific region in Hawaii May 21-24, 2018. (U.S. Marine Corps Graphic by Sgt. Hilda Perez)