COMBAT OUTPOST OUELLETTE, Helmand province, Afghanistan - Inspecting Lance Cpl. Kyle Dawson’s rifle before going on post, Sgt. Terry Thomas Jr., the sergeant of the guard for 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines at Combat Outpost Ouellette, uses daily pre-combat checks and inspections to make sure his Marines are ready for every possibility when it comes to protecting the base. Thomas is a native of Franklin, Ky., and joined the Marine Corps in 2003. Dawson is a combat replacement to 3rd Bn., 4th Marines from Nevada, Texas and graduated from Community High School in 2008.