The Marine Corps' top general spent last week watching Marines do what they do best – shoot stuff, blow things up – and then celebrating the service's 241st birthday.
Here is a brief snapshot of what Gen. Robert Neller has been up to as part of our semi-regular series "Keeping up with the Commandant."
1. A devotee of the teachings of Genghis Khan, Neller watches Marines practice giving the enemy a very bad day during his visit to Twentynine Palms, California.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/4ARH7LZQX5G37KX5GGYET4IBFI.jpg?auth=ef37645db50d65896ecfcafa607d211f13bac736b355696e91f2ecf7e628d3a8&width=4640&height=3833)
Gen. Robert Neller observes a training exercise at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Nov. 7.
Photo Credit: Cpl. Samantha K. Braun.
2. The commandant throws a Marine a rugby ball. Rugby is typically played by people who don't find American football violent enough.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/KQH432DKLRHRDAWVOYP3R75AXI.jpg?auth=ce6a462d5786a412d3ca40297d0ddefc945b1e288138a49c1079a9ec52804eda&width=4269&height=2846)
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller throws a rugby ball to a Marine at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., Nov. 7.
Photo Credit: Cpl. Samantha K. Braun.
3. Throughout history, young warriors have paid tribute to their elders. Here Neller gives a slice of cake to Staff Sgt. Charles G. Manuel, Jr., 93, the oldest Marine present at a Nov. 9 ceremony marking the Marine Corps' 241st birthday.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/KRGO4CNRR5FYJH5ASG67PCISMI.jpg?auth=74c32f05239f6adbba48ccaf35c90d83f14d1857097d68878d87d45a556f5e34&width=3994&height=2663)
Gen. Robert Neller presents a slice of cake to retired Staff Sgt. Charles G. Manuel, Jr., during a cake cutting ceremony in observance of the Marine Corps' birthday, Arlington, Va., Nov. 9.
Photo Credit: Cpl. Samantha K. Braun.
4. Toughness doesn't age. Neller takes a knee alongside two Marine Corps veterans at a Veterans Day ceremony at Quantico, Virginia.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/W5PAHIVVABCGHI3IRBGKHX6EBE.jpg?auth=042ce62618eb87d779b10c86adfeee7130cb7f9bb21d81ef8504e35c5c4704bb&width=3759&height=2506)
Gen. Robert Neller poses U.S. Marine Corps veterans after the 35th Annual Veteran's Day Ceremony at Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle, Va., Nov. 11.
Photo Credit: Cpl. Samantha K. Braun.
5. Speaking to Betty Sims, 97, the oldest Marine present at this year's Commandant's Marine Corps Birthday Ball, this photo is proof that Gen. Neller can smile.
![](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/resizer/v2/XB6QVOT5TRDMVMU7N5ACDK7UUM.jpg?auth=b04b7ac0916420ecc181458fe6073c81a60a3be684d2af886c50bdc1d01e8469&width=3359&height=2239)
Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller, speaks to Betty Sims, 97, oldest Marine present at the Commandant's Marine Corps Birthday Ball, Nov. 12,