“…that’s going to require us to replace an awful lot of gear that’s been used very hard over the last ten years or so. We know what we need and we‘re going to work with you to get it.” – Lieutenant General Richard P. Mills, Marine Corps Combat Development Command
Mills, the three-star general who heads the Corps’ concepts and capability command, was offering a glimmer of hope to a large audience of high level defense industry representatives attending the exclusive, invitation-only Report to Industry briefing at the 2011 Modern Day Marine (MDM) Expo.
Report to Industry
A tangible force-multiplier in the effectiveness of MDM’s annual Expo is much more than an ordinary trade show. The Report to Industry and Marine Corps Systems Command’s Program Director Briefings that immediately follow cover equipment and systems research, development, testing and acquisition programs and policies. These give representatives of America’s defense industry a clear picture of what today’s Marine Corps is intent on acquiring now and in the near future.
An earlier Report to Industry presenter – among other top Marine generals with unquestioned credibility in analyzing the cold, hard realities of Congressional intent to drastically cut America’s defense spending – had warned of a possible “fiscal Armageddon.” But these same generals were careful to emphasize that the United States Marine Corps would adapt and overcome to faithfully perform its traditional role as America’s expeditionary warfare force.
Acknowledging the likely demise or restructuring of big ticket initiatives like next-generation replacements for the Corps’ aging tactical rotorcraft and ground vehicles – worn out during a decade of fighting the Global War on Terror – Mills and others made it clear that economical upgrades to items supporting the holy trinity of “move-shoot-communicate” would still find favor.
High-Tech Tent City
Billed as “the world’s largest military exposition focusing on enhanced capabilities for expeditionary forces,” this year’s Modern Day Marine Expo was held from September 27 to 29, hosted once again by Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia.
Co-sponsored by the base, the Marine Corps League, and Marine Corps Systems Command, the 31st MDM showcased the products and services of more than 500 companies that support military land, air and sea operations.
Exhibits at this year’s exposition filled three enormous, modern, climate-controlled tents, as well as the spacious outdoor display area, presenting the latest operational equipment and technology, along with videos, models and prototypes of items soon to enter service.
Defense contractors from throughout the U.S. and some allied nations signed on to show their products and services, get feedback from the warfighters, and respond to questions.
Much of the equipment now used by Marines and other U.S. and allied forces confronting enemies in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the world was first presented to military leaders, operations planners and acquisition managers at previous editions of the expo.
Because a lot of what was on display included types that can be used not only in military applications but also in law enforcement and counter-terrorism operations, Expo officials issued a special invitation to federal, state and local law enforcement personnel to attend.
“Crossroads of the Marine Corps”
Strategically located just a few miles south of Washington DC, America’s capitol city with powerful lawmakers, the Pentagon, numerous defense contractors and foreign embassies, MCB Quantico is an ideal Expo location.
It is home of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, charged with developing Marine warfighting concepts and determines the Corps’ capability requirements for doctrine, equipment, organization, training, education and support.
The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory at Quantico is part of the Development Command and responsible for improving current and future naval expeditionary warfare capabilities for the Marines and their amphibious roles and missions.
Also at Quantico is the Marine Corps Systems Command, principal agency for acquisition and sustainment of systems and equipment for the Marines’ warfighting mission. Many of the personnel who staff those organizations took advantage of continuously-running shuttle buses to visit the exhibit halls and discuss missions, capabilities and requirements with defense industry professionals.
Warfighters Corner
An excellent innovation, now in its second year at the Expo, is the “Warfighters Corner,” open to all attendees and featuring presentations by Marines recently back from service in combat zones. Seasoned combat veterans describe what equipment and systems worked best for them, and also provide suggestions and recommendations for how improvements, modifications or replacements might be made to better help Marines survive and win on the battlefield, in seaborne operations and in aerial engagements.
Naturally, we were drawn to the Warfighter topic “Role of the Marine Sniper in Combat.” Captain A.B. Rozic, officer in charge of the Scout Sniper School aboard MCB Quantico, introduced Gunnery Sergeant K. E. Sutherby who gave a vivid presentation on lessons learned by scout snipers in recent combat actions. Other Warfighter topics included Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, USMC Energy, Navy Marine Corps Medical Team, and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Combat Equipment.
Guns, Ammo, Sights and Accessories
While this 31st annual MDM Expo was jam-packed with more than 500 exhibitors offering the complete range of items needed for expeditionary warfare, SADJ’s mission is to find the best guns and related gear on display that maximize a Rifleman’s ability to put steel on target.
“Every Marine a Rifleman,” is a basic tenet of the Corps that also serves us as a true and steady compass bearing. There was plenty to catch our attention at dozens of elaborate display booths manned by representatives of the world’s foremost arms merchants. From ARES to Zeiss, the roster included the most prominent names in small arms as well as several up-and-coming firms.
Weapons and related items for both long range precision shooting and close quarters battle dominated the field this year. Not surprising given the proven effectiveness of the “one-shot-one-kill” fraternity as well as lessons learned and re-learned from the last decade of unforgiving urban and open terrain combat.
What follows here is a photo essay zeroing in on some notable examples of weapons, ammo, sighting devices and mounting systems. Although space requirements necessarily limit the number of examples shown, a full listing of exhibitors and other information may be found at www.marinemilitaryexpos.com
Honors and Awards
With so many high-level Marine leaders converging on the Expo, it works well to put several ceremonial events on the schedule. When Wednesday’s colorful Enlisted Awards Parade, featuring the crack USMC Drill Team and Drum and Bugle Corps was rained out, the ceremony itself was held indoors. Awards, sponsored by the Capital Marines Detachment of the Marine Corps League, were presented to ten outstanding Marines and one Navy Corpsman.
That evening, the Expo’s Grand Banquet and Awards Dinner was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the Crystal City section of Arlington, VA. Highlights included presentation of the Marine Corps League’s top awards. Major Paul F. Hastings, USMC (Retired), received the Iron Mike Award for his long time distinguished service to the Marine Corps League. Ms. Bonnie Carroll, founder and president of Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, received the Dickey Chapelle Award.
Modern Day Marine 2012
The 32nd annual Modern Day Marine Expo is scheduled for 25-27 September 2012, once again at MCB, Quantico, Virginia. This is the largest of three related shows where exhibitors meet the Marines on their own turf.
Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA, is headquarters for the Corps’ combat development center and home to Marine Corps Systems Command, where warfighting requirements are defined and determinations made on equipment and systems to be used by Marines in worldwide operations for years to come.
Marine West Expo, slated for 1-2 February 2012 at Camp Pendleton, CA, and Marine South, 11-12 April 2012 at Camp Lejeune, NC, are held at home installations for two of the Marine Corps’ expeditionary forces, which are continually training and dispatching fighting elements to a broad spectrum of missions – in the air, on land, and at sea – around the world.
Exhibitors at the Marine Military Expos meet and exchange information, face-to-face, with not only the users of their equipment but also the men and women responsible for equipping the Corps, which is rapidly expanding to meet a broad range of existing and emerging demands.
At the same time, funding for equipment modernization programs to meet the far-reaching, high-tempo operations in which Marines are engaged on a daily basis is increasingly uncertain. Political pressure from all sides on Marine Corps and Navy budgets will affect not only on the current demands of combat in Southwest Asia but also existing and developing threats in other regions.
In addition to displaying products before thousands of users, Marine Military Expo exhibitors also exchange information with their target audience, listen to their needs and gain valuable insight into what works best in a wide array of combat, combat support and combat service support situations. Marines who have recently returned from wartime missions not only provide feedback but also convey suggestions and ideas that are often considered and adopted in designing or improving equipment and systems.
The decision-makers and procurement experts exhibitors want and need to meet attend the expos for up-close and personal exposure to the leading-edge equipment, systems and services – solutions – their Marines need for the years ahead. At the Marine Military Expos, networking opportunities among the buyers, the users and defense industry professionals are unlimited. Take advantage of those opportunities for your company by exhibiting at the Marine Military Expos: www.marinemilitaryexpos.com
