• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Strike, stabilize, rebuild: Quantico Viper trains reserve Marines for deployment

US Marine Corps News

5/18/2010
By Lance Cpl. Jahn R. Kuiper, Marine Corps Base Quantico

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. — Marines at Quantico rolled toward a foreign town on 7-ton trucks. As they approached the perimeter an improvised explosive device took out one of the vehicles and insurgents opened fire on the Marines. The Marines dismounted and stormed the town in fire teams. Methodically they broke in and controlled each building, until the town was secure.

This was one of the many exercises played out during Quantico Viper where Marines of 4th Marine Logistics Group were trained in the basics skills they will require when deployed.

Two-hundred and ninety-three reserve Marines were pulled from 18 different states and now are training for the first time as one team.

This training is essential because it allows these Marines to get familiarized with one another, said Master Sgt. Adrian Virges, director of the Battle Skills Training School. Marines learn their strengths, weaknesses, and are able to account for them when in a hostile situation.

The Marines are put in difficult situations and are expected to solve it through teamwork.

“I basically put them through hell, so they know how hot it can get when thingsare happening for real,” Virges said. “We keep them on their toes by throwing multiple grenades at them or setting booby traps. We don’t want them to feel like they have time to relax.”

“Simulating an intense, stressful life and death scenario can help a Marine prepare mentally, as much as possible, for what combat may be like,” said Maj. Howard Marotto, the officer-in-charge of Quantico Viper.

Though many of the Marines in Quantico Viper have deployed before, for most, Afghanistan is a new challenge they’re ready to take on.

“The Marines have responded to the training well,” Marotto said. “Though many of the Marines have deployed once, very few have deployed to Afghanistan. Because of this, they are very focused on training and preparing for a different culture and environment.”

As well as learning how to take over and stabilize a town, the Marines are shooting at ranges, attending cultural classes, training with the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle Egress Assistance Trainer, and Virtual Combat Convoy Trainer.

“We’ve received great support here at Quantico and there has been a good variety of training,” Marotto said. “The convoy simulators have been a real force multiplier for us.”

After finishing their training here, the Marines will continue their training at the Intermediate Logistics Operation Center at Camp Pendleton, Calif. From there, many of the Marines will be deployed to Afghanistan and some will be sent to the Republic of Djibouti, in the horn of Africa.