Cpl. Nicholas L. Cortez recites the non-commissioned

Cpl. Nicholas L. Cortez recites the non-commissioned officer's creed during a corporal's course graduation ceremony aboard USS Makin Island here March 30. Cortez serves with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 3/1. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.