U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Brandon Focer heaves his pack over his head as he and other Marines wait to board landing craft utilities to embark aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Nassau, Radio Island, N.C., Oct. 27, 2009. Focer is assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Platoon, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The ship and Marines are participating in the Composite Unit Training Exercise which is designed to provide realistic training environments for U.S. naval forces. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class James R. Stilipec