Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett, left,

Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett, left, stands by as Gen. James F. Amos, second from left, the commandant of the Marine Corps, and Debbie Paxton pin the four-star rank onto the uniform of Gen. John M. Paxton Jr. during his promotion and appointment ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington in Washington, D.C., Dec. 15, 2012. Paxton became the 33rd assistant commandant of the Marine Corps during the ceremony, relieving Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cody A. Fodale/Released)