I am currently medically retired from the Marine Corps. I volunteer with the local Marine Corps League Detachment that I founded last year (2017) as a Countywide detachment. I am currently the Commandant (President/CEO) of this detachment (Ellis County Detachment 1452).
MCAGCC is the home of the Marine Corps’ Mojave Viper. Mojave Viper is a 30-day combination of the Revised Combined Arms Exercises and the Security and Stability Operations training formerly conducted at March Air Reserve Base, Calif. The RCAX program has evolved from a 22-day deployment with a very structured three-day CAX final exercise, into a 14-day intense training cycle involving a series of progressive live-fire exercises. The current RCAX program employs a progressive training approach, starting with combined-arms integration techniques and procedures at the company level and fire and movement/maneuver at the platoon level that culminates in the integration of large-scale maneuver with direct, indirect and aviation fires involving all elements of the exercise force. The SASO program has evolved from a Marine Corps Warfighting Lab experiment into a 10-day training exercise. The units are presented with facilities, role players and scenarios that closely replicate the environment to which they will deploy. The current SASO program employs a progressive training approach, starting with a series of lane-training opportunities at the squad through company level culminating in a three-day, battalion-level final exercise. Mojave Viper exercises and trains active duty and Reserve Fleet Marine Force units and Marine Air Ground Task Forces in command, control and coordination of kinetic and non-kinetic fires in the “Three Block War.” Mojave Viper is the most realistic, live-fire training exercise in the Marine Corps. It provides the commanders the opportunity to employ all the capabilities of the MAGTF. Approximately 2,000 Marines and Sailors participate in each training cycle which uses the “building block” approach, starting with small-unit training and culminating with MAGTF integration.
For the first week to 10 days of the deployment, training focuses on “white-space” training to integrate new personnel, complete basic training requirements and prepare for the SASO and RCAX sections. The next 10 days of Mojave Viper start with the unit doing a notional relief in place
in the Forward Operating Base from which they will operate for the remainder of the exercise. Squad and platoon rotations covering urban patrolling, improvised explosive device training, tank and infantry integration and various other skills necessary for operations in an urban environment follow this. During this time the companies operate in separate FOBs and conduct small-level operations. Concurrent with this is battalion staff training. The final exercise integrates the small unit and staff skills into a three-day, 24-hour-a-day, battalion-level operation.
The remaining 10 to 14 days focuses on combined-arms training. This training focuses on two levels. The staff refines tactical plans in the Combined Arms Staff Trainer then executes these plans in the air support coordination and fire support coordination exercises. Simultaneously, the platoons and companies conduct a series of infantry attacks. The culmination of company-level training includes one of the following exercises. The first is the Light Armored Reconnaissance Screen Course in which the LAR company conducts a delaying action along a 10-kilometer long course. The second is the Mobile Assault Course in which the unit conducts a deliberate attack along a 20-kilometer long course. The third is the Helicopter Assault Course in which the unit conducts a deliberate helicopterborne attack. Mortars, artillery, attack helicopters, fighter/attack aircraft and engineers support all of these courses. The live-fire Convoy Operations Course integrates Rotary-Wing Close Air Support, heavy machineguns and small arms into a 20-kilometer route with multiple engagements of increasing difficulty to prepare Combat Service Support Elements. This work-up period allows implementation of lessons learned in command, control and coordination, and for commanders at all levels to conduct any desired supplemental or specialized training.
The logistical challenges presented by operating throughout the Twentynine Palms environment are demanding. Food, water, fuel, ammunition, spare parts and maintenance support are in constant demand, while real and simulated casualties, both personnel and equipment, require evacuation to the rear.
Mojave Viper will eventually fully integrate “white-space,” SASO and RCAX that will have the exercise force simultaneously conducting all aspects of the “Three Block War” for the entire 30 days.
