In this Aug. 25, 2011 photo, a U.S. Marine with 3rd Platoon, Kilo Company, 3/4 Marines mans a small checkpoint near Patrol Base 302, in the Gesresk Valley, Helmand province, southern Afghanistan. The Marines of 3rd Platoon who live inside the mud-walled compound of PB-302 face militants who regularly attack the base from multiple directions using launched grenades, sniper rifles, and AK-47s. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)