2nd Battalion, 1st Marines

2nd Battalion, 1st Marines
2nd Battalion, 1st Marines insignia
Active	August 1, 1922 – July 20, 1924 March 1, 1941 – October 31, 1947 August 4, 1950 – January 24, 1989 September 9, 1994 – present
Country	United States
Branch	USMC
Type	Light Infantry
Role	Locate, close with and destroy the enemy with fire and maneuver
Size	1,200
Part of	1st Marine Regiment 1st Marine Division
Garrison/HQ	Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Nickname(s)	The Professionals
Motto(s)	No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy Gunsmoke
Engagements	World War II Guadalcanal Campaign Battle of Cape Gloucester Battle of Peleliu Battle of Okinawa Korean War Battle of Inchon Second Battle of Seoul Battle of Chosin Reservoir Vietnam War War on Terror Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current commander	LtCol Thomas J. Cunningham
Notable commanders	James M. Masters, Sr. Edwin A. Pollock

No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy

World War II

Korean War

Vietnam War
War on Terror

2nd Battalion, 1st Marines (2/1) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Nicknamed "The Professionals," the battalion consists of approximately 1,200 Marines and Sailors. Normally they fall under the command of 1st Marine Regiment and the 1st Marine Division.

As part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the battalion deployed to Kuwait in February 2003, and participated in the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. The battalion deployed in March 2004, to Fallujah, Iraq and took part in Operation Vigilant Resolve. They returned to Iraq in 2005 with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and engaged in combat operations during Operation Steel Curtain in Husaybah, Karabilah, and New Ubaydi, and Operation Iron Hammer in Hit. The battalion deployed to Okinawa to serve as the Ground Combat Unit for the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit from January 1, 2007, until January 1, 2008. The battalion deployed to Iraq in January 2009 and returned in August of the same year.