Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps,

Gen. James F. Amos, commandant of the Marine Corps, left, and Gen. John M. Paxton, Jr., assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, right, stand in place while Paxton's promotion warrant is read during a promotion and appointment ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Dec. 15. Paxton relieves Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, former assistant commandant, of the post. Paxton was promoted to his current rank of general and sworn in to his new position by Amos in the same event. In attendance to the ceremony were a number of former commandants, assistant commandants and sergeants major of the Marine Corps as well as Paxton's family, friends, former and current staff members, and foreign dignitaries.