24th MEU in Spain. Grappling and the Obstacle Course.

All photos by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

Cpl. Julian Valdez, a squad leader for 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, grapples with other members of his squad here, April 19, 2012, during a supervised Marine Corps Martial Arts Program squad vs. squad grappling match. The Marines spent the day engaging in a variety of training events before enjoying a much needed day off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Lance Cpl. Kyle Scales, a fire team leader, grapples Lance Cpl. James Rounds, a rifleman, while other Marines from Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, pin Rounds' arms and legs here, April 19, 2012, during a squad vs. squad Marine Corps Martial Arts Program grappling exercise. The Marines spent the day engaging in a variety of training events before enjoying a much needed day off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Marines with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, run an obstacle course here, April 19, 2012, during a day of training before enjoying time off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Pfc. Ekrem Uysaler, a machine gunner with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, leaps over a wall on an obstacle course here, April 19, 2012, during a day of training before enjoying time off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Marines with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, overcome the last obstacle on the obstacle course here, April 19, 2012, during a day of training before enjoying time off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Cpl. Jesse Buhler, an assaultman with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, makes his way across a horizontal bar on an obstacle course here, April 19, 2012, during a day of training before enjoying time off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

A Marine with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast ropes from a rappel tower here, April 19, 2012, during a day of routine training before enjoying time off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.