His wife, Priscila, will accompany him to New York to the finals, which take place during Fleet Week. This is the annual time when Navy and Coast Guard ships dock in the New York harbor, so thousands of sailors and Marines are in the city. In addition to bragging rights as the national Commander of the Grill, the winning Marine takes home more than $5,000 worth of prizes, including a luxury Weber gas grill and dinner for 10 made by chef and cookbook author Jamie Purviance.

Some famous former Marines with recipes in the cookbook are Utah actor Wilford Brimley, former football player Art Donovan, country music star George Jones and former "Tonight Show" announcer Ed McMahon.

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STEAK FAJITAS WITH ROCKY MOUNTAIN RUB

2 skirt steaks, about 1 pound each and 3/4-inch thick

MARINADE:

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

With a fork, poke each side of each steak 3 or 4 times to allow the marinade to seep inside the meat. In a small bowl, mix the marinade ingredients. Brush marinade evenly over both sides of each steak. Let steaks stand at room temperature 20-30 minutes before grilling.

GUACAMOLE:

2 ripe Hass avocados

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro

2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Combine the guacamole ingredients in a medium bowl and stir with a fork until thoroughly combined. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to use.

RUB:

1 teaspoon dried sage

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon celery salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Combine the rub ingredients in a small bowl and crush them between your fingertips to release the oils in the herbs. Just before grilling, brush the minced garlic from the marinade off the steaks. Then season the steaks on both sides with the rub, pressing spices into the meat.

FAJITAS:

1 medium red onion, sliced crosswise into 1/3-inch slices

2 medium red or green bell peppers, seeded and cut into flat sections

Extra virgin olive oil

8 flour tortillas, each 8 inches in diameter

Lightly brush or spray the onion and bell peppers on both sides with oil. With the lid closed, grill the onion, bell peppers, and steaks over direct high heat (500 to 550 degrees) until the veggies are tender and steaks are cooked to desired doneness, turning once. The onion will take 8-10 minutes, bell peppers 6-8 minutes and steaks 5-7 minutes for medium-rare.

Remove from the grill and let the steaks rest 2-3 minutes. Cut onion and bell peppers into bite-size pieces. Wrap the tortillas in a foil packet. With the lid down, grill the packet over direct medium heat (400-450 degrees to warm the tortillas, about 2-3 minutes, turning once.)

To serve, cut skirt steak against the grain into 1/4-inch slices. Place the warm tortillas, sliced meat, onions, peppers and guacamole in separate serving dishes. Let each person make his or her own fajita by placing the fillings down the center of each tortilla. Wrap and serve warm. Makes 4 servings. — Sgt. Michael Clawson Marine Corps Mobilization Command, Kansas City