The Art of Anti-armor Warfare

Lance Corporal Cody Blessing, a 'Missile Marine' preparing for enemy action before deployment to Afghanistan's Helmand province this Fall.

Lance Corporal Cody Blessing, an anti-tank missilemen with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, prepares to load a Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided missile for firing during the Enhanced Mojave Viper training exercise at the Black Top Range Training Area on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Aug. 29, 2011.

The Marines of 3/3 are working through the 35-day exercise, their final evaluation before deploying to Afghanistan's Helmand province in support of Operation Enduring Freedom this fall.

During EMV, the infantry battalion is training in the field bolstering infantry skills and practicing counterinsurgency operations. The Marines will combine with supporting arms, aviation and logistics units, and train to fight as a Marine Air Ground Task Force to prepare for deployment.

Blessing, 18, is from Perryville, MO, and is the son of Michelle and Owen Sandler, who is Field Service Manager for The Rite Group, Jackson, Missouri.

Everyone at The Rite Group is very proud of Cody and anticipates his upcoming service in harms way standing watch protecting our freedom. Many are called; patriots respond. We send him our wishes for God's speed and pray for his healthy and safe return.