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SHOW|REPORTMODERN DAY MARINE EXPO 2017BY ROBERT BRUCE

USMC/Corporal Samantha BraunIn his Wednesday morning keynote address to an overflow crowd in the spacious Briefing Center, General Robert Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, provides his perspective on “Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment,” the recently developed official doctrine for near-future amphibious warfare. Briefing slides for his presentation and those of other presenters are clearly visible to all on twin giant screens. https://marine-corpsconceptsandprograms.com/concepts/littoral-operations-contested-environment

The Latest Innovations in Military Equipment and Systems

Now in his third year as Commandant with a third visit to Modern Day Marine (MDM), four-star General Neller delivered his key-note address, “Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment,”

to an overflow crowd on Wednesday in the cavernous Briefing Center tent at the 2017 Modern Day Marine Expo.

With “littoral” defined as that portion of the world’s land masses adja-cent to the ocean within direct control of and vulnerable to the striking power of sea-based forces, Neller emphasized that the Navy and Marine Corps will have to “fight to get to the fight,” facing adversaries with long-range precision weapon capabilities.

(Editor’s Note: The official MCO document on which Commandant Neller’s presentation was based is available for download at https://marinecorpsconceptsandprograms.com/concepts/littoral-opera-tions-contested-environment)

Much More Than a “Trade Show”Commandant Neller’s hard-hitting predictions add tremendous

weight to the importance of MDM Expos as essential, multifaceted resources for the Marine Corps’ warfighters at all levels and for the defense industry to anticipate and offer solutions for both present and future needs. These needs include everything from hydration to hyper-sonic weaponry, from biscuits and boots to battlefield digitizing and much, much more.

42Small Arms Review Vol. 22, No. 3 MARCH 2018

Robert Bruce Brigadier General Joseph Shrader, Commander, MARCORSYSCOM, emphasizes a point in his introduction to Tuesday morning’s Planning Briefs to Industry. marcorsyscom.marines.mil

USMC/Lance Corporal Sarah Petrock October 2016, MCB Twentynine Palms, California. Live-fire training with a suppressed M4 carbine in preparation for a deployment. As outlined in the presentation by Colonel Michael Manning, Portfolio Manager for SYSCOM’s Ground Combat Element Systems, small arms suppressors and improved fire control are two of the Marine Corps’ top priorities for near-term purchase and fielding. marcorsyscom.marines.mil

“Our adversaries are not going to let us get to the fight uncontested. We

are going to have to fire away across the ocean, under the ocean and in

the air. We have to be able to prepare to implement offensive and defen-

sive, lethal and non-lethal capabilities to prosecute these campaigns. And

at the end we have to conduct operations ashore.”

–General Robert B. Neller37th Commandant of the Marine Corps

Sobering Sessions and Preparedness Panels Near term equipping for the Corps to fight and win in extraordi-

narily lethal littoral zones is a daunting challenge but ably addressed in a series of open briefings kicked off on Tuesday morning by Brig-adier General Joseph Shrader, who heads up Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC).

MCSC’s managers laid out needs for Command elements, Ground Combat, Logistics, Support, Training and Wargaming.

Naturally, Ground Combat was our main focus, with Colonel Mike Manning detailing 15 specific areas of primary interest. Among these are opportunities to provide improved vehicle protection from various explosive warheads and more sophisticated weapon sights. Specific requirements are noted in several RFIs/RFPs including Squad Common Optics and Suppressors.

(Editor’s Note: All of these Planning Briefs to Industry are available for download at MARCORSYSCOM.marines.mil Click the COMMAND BRIEFS TO INDUSTRY bar.)

www.smallarmsreview.com 43 Small Arms Review Vol. 22, No. 3

Robert BruceVisiting from HK’s headquarters in Germany, Bernard Haertenstein (center) joins Mike Thornton (left) and Robbie Reidsma in manning the exhibit booth. They have lots of reasons to smile given HK’s recent victories including award of the Army’s CSASS contract (up to 3600 rifles) and USMC’s latest acquisition of an additional 50,800 M27 IARs. hk-usa.com

Robert Bruce AAI/Textron’s leading edge CT (Cased Telescoped) duo of 5.56 and 7.62mm belt-fed guns will soon be joined by a handy 6.5mm CT Car-bine, seen here in preliminary mockup form as engineer Kevin Ayotte details its features and benefits. While its overall weight is a bit more at this stage than an M4, a standard combat load of “lipstick-tube” plas-tic-cased telescoped cartridges will be much lighter than conventional brass-cased ammo. Overall length (stock collapsed) is 32 inches, feeds cartridges pushed forward from a detachable box magazine, fires from a closed bolt for accuracy, clean gas-operated tappet and piston, select fire with full-auto at 600 rpm. textronsystems.com/what-we-do/weap-on-sensor-systems/LSAT

Rounding out Tuesday’s program were briefings on Science and Tech-nology, Non-Lethal Weapons and a very welcome tutorial for small busi-nesses on how to do business with the Corps.

Wednesday kicked off with the colorful Enlisted Awards Parade, immediately followed by General Neller’s keynote address. Then, there were two panel discussions building on the Commandant’s remarks. USMC Intelligence Activity examined Challenges to the Future Opera-tional Environment and Warfighting Lab/Futures Directorate providing perspective on Challenges and Opportunities in Littoral Operations.

Thursday’s panels included a report on experimentation by Warfight-ing/Futures—including robots and the new fielding of quadcopters—and next generation requirements like beachhead-swarming mini-bots foreseen by Capabilities Development Directorate.

For specific solicitations and contract awards see FEDBIZOPPS. Also, Defense Innovation Marketplace is a comprehensive resource: defen-seinnovationmarketplace.mil

Show and TellThe Corps wisely uses the timing of the annual Expo in a number of ways

as an efficient opportunity for meaningful interaction with large and small sources in the defense industry. It’s a two-way information superhighway that bypasses many of the bureaucratic bottlenecks encountered in deal-ing with other services making up the US Armed Forces.

Following Tuesday’s Planning Briefings, show exhibitors who had made on-site arrangements were given the opportunity for face-to-face meetings with decision makers. This facilitates meaningful show and tell right at the vendor’s booth or in Tent B’s distinctive “Marine Zone.”


SHOW|REPORTMODERN DAY MARINE EXPO 2017

Robert Bruce Optics-1’s Integrated Compact Ultralight Gun-Mounted Range-finder has recently been selected for the USMC’s Sniper Range Finder program. “I-CUGR is a small, lightweight and rugged weap-on-mounted laser rangefinder with integrated illumination and aim-ing lasers that will give the USMC the ability to quickly range targets without taking hands off their rifles–providing more accurate first round hits.” While not necessarily a direct result of Warfighting Lab’s annual Marksmanship Technology Demonstration, it clearly demon-strates “commercial off-the-shelf technologies with potential to address Marine Corps marksmanship gaps.” optics1.com

Robert Bruce While not selected as the Army’s new Modular handgun, the 9mm Glock 19 got the FBI’s substantial contract. Seen here is the new Gen 5 ver-sion. “The Marine Corps is equipping Marines with a new weapon, pro-viding enhanced concealed carry capabilities at an accelerated rate and lower cost to the Corps. The Glock 19M–called the M007 by the Corps–replaces the M9 service pistol for personnel requiring a weapon that can be easily concealed. The M007 offers enhanced concealed carry capabil-ities, which include a smaller frame, ambidextrous slide stop lever and flared magazine well. Marine Corps Systems Command recently fielded the M007 to Marine and civilian CID agents and members of Helicopter Squadron One.” us.glock.com

Robert Bruce Richard Berry of Knight’s Armament shows their belt-fed 5.56mm Light Assault Machine Gun, a significant improvement over standard M249 SAWs. At 8.6 pounds dry, Knight’s says it “delivers the needed sustained volume of fire to an assault element at a low enough weight to keep pace with an assault. With a low cyclic rate of 575-625 rounds per min-ute, and constant-recoil/spring run-out operation, it is more controlla-ble than other similar machine guns that weigh nearly twice that much.” knightarmco.com

Show, Tell, Shoot

“Once per year, Weapons Training Battalion, in conjunc-tion with Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, will invite select industry participants to the Marksman-

ship Technology Demonstration to demonstrate commercial off-the-shelf technologies with potential to address Marine Corps marksmanship gaps. The Marksmanship Technology Demonstration is not a tradeshow” (RFI for 2017 MTD)

While making the rounds of gun-oriented exhibits we caught wind of some live-fire show and tell underway on Quantico’s ranges—by invitation only and closed to press. We followed up later through offi-cial USMC channels and got the straight scoop on what and why.

A formal RFI (Request for Information), issued months earlier, invited industry participation in an MTD exclusively for “Marine Corps units/agencies that are within the capability development process.”

This year’s focus was on targets and rifle components, specifi-cally Automated Smart Static and Mobile Target Systems, Infantry Rifles, Suppressors and Optics. Naturally, we asked for info on par-ticipating entities and their products. That was a no-go, but that’s understandable, and we don’t choose to reveal here the ones we know about.

The RFI made it clear the potential payoff for participants was by no means assured, “... promising technologies may be selected for extended user evaluations.”

Officials also emphasized that, “The MTD held in 2016 and 2017 were not associated with MDM. The MTD 2017 was aligned with MDM to make it easier for the vendors. The MTD scheduled for 2018 will NOT be an MDM event even if held during the same period.”

We read you Lima Charlie (loud and clear) and urge purveyors of dead-serious shooting stuff to closely monitor FedBizOpps.gov for next year’s MTD RFI. Do it for the Devil Dog Grunts—they damn sure appreciate your help.


Robert BruceSaab’s John Belanger shows an inert version of the new HE 441D 84mm round to a Marine who’s hefting the new M3A1/M4 Carl Gustaf MAAWS. Firing anti-armor, anti-structure, anti-personnel, smoke and illumination rounds, this powerful, combat-classic multipurpose recoilless rifle con-tinues to push the boundaries of battlefield effectiveness with improved munitions and sighting systems. “The M4 represents an evolution in the capabilities of infantrymen. New features include: lighter, intelligent sight, improved ergonomics, reduced action time, compatible with intelligent sighting systems and programmable ammo.” saabgroup.com

Robert BruceWhile a 105mm howitzer might be a bit above the category of “small arms,” we were drawn to the Enhanced Tactical Indirect-Hawkeye, an interestingly efficient pairing of serious artillery with a nimble and capable AM General Humvee prime mover. “The system consists of a US Army standard M20 105mm cannon mounted on an M1152A1w/B2 HMMWV. The lightest weight, most highly maneuverable self-pro-pelled howitzer in the world today.” amgeneral.com

Robert BruceLittle things can mean a lot for firearm safety. This high-vis Saf-T-Round from Safe Tech is said to be the only ejectable empty cham-ber indicator on the market, suitable for a wide range of firearms and seen here in a SIG P320RX Compact. “The valuable combination of an easy-to-see load indicator that prevents accidental/unintentional dis-charge and the ability to eject the device for instant access to your fire-arm.” safrgun.com

More than 400 ExhibitorsFor all three days of the Expo, while deadly serious information was

being dispensed in the Briefing Center tent, the other three big tops and the outside displays were buzzing with activity as visitors from ranging from enlisted Marines to high level potentates patrolled the aisles.

Discipline is needed to avoid being overwhelmed by the variety of offerings on display and the sheer size of many including hulking AFVs, artillery pieces, aircraft mockups and the like.

All are certainly compelling to others, but manportable weaponry is our stock in trade. 2017’s lineup included infantry weapons from promi-nent names like American Rheinmetall, Barrett, Beretta, Colt, FN , Gen-eral Dynamics, Glock, HK, Knight’s, Nammo, SAAB and SIG.

Some rivals in the firearms arena include Geissele, Hardened Arms, Phoenix Defence (Foreign Weapons & Training) and Seekins Precision.

Short Bursts Space limitations dictate just brief notes on what we encountered, so

follow-up information is encouraged, of course, by visiting vendor websites. Having won the Army’s Modular Handgun competition, SIG was

proudly showing actual M17 and M18 production-line pistols. Glock was nearby, touting selection of the 9mm Gen 5 G17 and 19 pistols by the FBI and discreetly noting the Marine Corps’ choice of the 19M/M007 for CID and Marine One personnel.

Beretta’s distinctive APX pistol is now available in .40 S&W; Knight’s 5.56mm Light Assault Machine Gun puts the M249 to shame; Mile High Shooting is now the exclusive North American source for Accuracy Inter-national’s AX rifles; and Barrett is expanding its REC line with the new REC 10 in .308.

LaRue Tactical, fresh from victory in USASOC’s sniper competition, was showing the Limited-Edition 7.62 PredatAR in FDE coloration. FN America’s always impressive display was doubly so this time with a real Little Bird helo sporting an HMP .50-cal gun pod.

We remain cautiously optimistic for the future of Textron/AAI’s CT (Cased Telescoped) duo of belt-fed weapons and follow-ons. Engineer Kevin Ayotte updated us on impressive progress of the latest; a 6.5mm carbine version that’s readily adaptable to whatever caliber emerges from the Army’s seemingly endless examinations.

Some bigger weapons we were drawn to included SAAB’s latest Carl Gustaf M3E1/M4 tank and bunker-buster and AM General’s heavy-hit-ting 105 howitzer on a Hummer. Nammo Talley’s latest upgrade to the


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Robert BruceThe enormous Marine Zone in Tent B includes informational displays from cutting edge elements of Marine Corps Systems Command, its Warfighting Lab and related organizations such as PEO Land Systems. marcorsyscom.marines.mil

USMC/Ashley CalingoMCB Quantico, VA, July 2017. Marines firing on the ISMT III (Indoor Sim-ulated Marksmanship Trainer 3rd generation) a computerized, digital “reality” shooting system that’s being fielded throughout the Corps. It’s the latest upgrade, boasting superior 3D graphics, more scenarios and now includes capabilities for the M9 pistol, M4 carbine, M27 IAR, M32A1 grenade launcher and the M27 LAW. marcorsyscom.marines.mil

Robert BruceMagpul’s fail-safe PMAG 30 AR/M4 Gen 3, already a winner in the USMC and elsewhere, is now joined by a new version. “The next-generation PMAG 30 GEN3 Window is a 30-round 5.56 x 45 NATO (.223 Remington) polymer magazine for AR-15/M4 compatible weapons that features transparent windows to allow rapid visual identification of approxi-mate number of rounds remaining.” magpul.com

warhorse LAW (counterweight rocket propellant developed in conjunc-tion with NSWC) offers Marines both anti-armor and anti-structure loads that can be safely fired from enclosed spaces. Raytheon’s slim, 17-inch long, PIKE laser-guided munition is fired from a rifle-mounted grenade launcher.

Nice to Have Safe Tech has some very practical, empty chamber indicators that

instantly eject like cartridges; Hardened Arms’ Illuminated Luma Shark handguard has an integral flashlight; and both Pro Shot (COY-AR-223) and Otis (Defender-IMOD) have new and improved weapon cleaning kits. Geissele’s “Gas Pedal” selector for ARs comes in response to USMC-op-erator demand, and Blue Force Gear showed its tiny marker lights and emphasized a discount program for individual military and LE custom-ers. Magpul’s latest big deal is USMC’s approval and adoption of the Gen 3 PMAG, now enhanced with a round-counter window.

Gerber’s new Center Drive multi-tool is notable, as is Spyderco’s long

Robert Bruce This compact and handy selective fire 5.56mm M4A1 SOCC (Special Operations Compatible) PDW from Troy Defense sports a distinctive muzzle device on its 7.5-inch barrel as well as Troy’s clever Tomahawk Stock. worldoftroy.com It’s also fitted with Leupold’s new D-EVO (Dual Enhanced View Optic) that allows the 6-power D-EVO optic to be fused with virtually any red dot sight, so the shooter can switch effortlessly between a magnified image for long-range precision and a red dot in a wide field for reflexive shots. leupold.com

Robert Bruce The highly capable Mk 47 Mod O GMG from General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems gets a targeting upgrade with addition of the new Next Generation Fire Control system. “An integrated module that gives the operator the ability to detect, recognize, identify and engage tar-gets in both day and night conditions through day color video and night thermal imaging cameras.” And it works on your M2HB .50 cal too. gd-ots.com

Robert Bruce Storied Marine veteran Frank Martello enthusiastically shows us Tri-jicon’s new SNIP-IR thermal clip-on, riding the rail in front of the com-pany’s warhorse ACOG. “Designed to become one with your optical day sight, both on the battlefield and on the hunting field. It comes with a 640x480 micron Vox sensor and OLED digital micro display that gives clear, brilliant imagery at a fast 60 Hz frame rate–even through pitch black darkness.” trijiconeo.com

Robert BruceLeupold’s superlative DeltaPoint Pro is a front runner in competition for US Special Operations Command’s Glock 19 handguns. “When your optic needs to be faster than your reactions, the DeltaPoint Pro is up to the challenge. The lightweight aluminum housing is shrouded by spring steel for the ultimate in ruggedness while the aspheric lens generates a wide field-of-view with some of the best image quality ever seen in a reflex sight.” Note the optional rear iron sight to co-witness the red dot. leupold.com

Taking AimTrijicon’s new SNIPE-IR Thermal Clip-On teams with preferred day optics

for brilliant imaging even in total darkness. Leupold’s Delta Point Pro red dot is likely to be USSOCOM’s choice for topping their many Glocks.

The compact and mean looking M4A1 SOCC from Troy Industries sported a Leupold D-EVO (Dual Enhanced View Optic), and we checked out Excelitas Techs’ SAKER Fused Weapon Sight, combining uncooled thermal and image intensification.

General Dynamics’ Next Generation FCS for 40mm GMGs and .50 cal HMGs computes an adjusted aiming point with data from its onboard sensors. While not technically a sight, the Glare Recoil LA-22U from B.E.

popular Delica folding knife and its Top Trainer counterpart. 511 Tacti-cal’s XPRT waterproof, breathable garments significantly outperform Gore-Tex and similar fabrics, and Streamlight showed the new Stinger Switchblade LED Light Bar.

We always made it a point to visit the Small Business Pavilion and again found much to recommend. Notably, the T:WORX Intelli-gent Rail system for AR family weapons, supplying power to mount-ed accessories and delivering their output to a digital datastream. We also visited with The Gun Shop, specializing in ATK and Federal ammo, and Southern Police Equipment, showcasing its extensive military and LE line.



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Meyers is the USMC’s official on-weapon Ocular Interrupter for non-lethal engagements.

SuppressorsThe Corps and other serious warfighting

branches are determined to put suppressors on as many weapons as practical. Nexgen Defense’s innovative MAX FLO 3D AFD sup-pressor shows promise, as does Giessele’s Super Night Owl.

Marine ZoneEasily found in Tent B’s expansive Marine

Zone, exhibits by elements of Marine Corps Systems Command and PEO Land Systems are mandatory stopovers, never disappointing. Robots for recon, fighting and logistics were front and center once again—the crawling and flying kinds as well as an amusing dance recital featuring “Spot,” Warfighting Lab’s robot dog.

The Corps has recently fielded an improved digital shooting gallery that was understand-ably popular at the Expo with Marines and others lined up for virtual trigger time. ISMT III (Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer 3rd generation) is the system’s latest upgrade, boasting superior 3D graphics and including five infantry weapons from M9 pistol to M72 LAW.

The Navy claims ownership of the Marines, so cutting edge research and development

at Office of Naval Research (ONR) deserves respect and attention in exhibits. While this super high tech command has lots of spooky projects in the works, we gun guys are most interested in things that facilitate hole-punching one way or another. Some examples are the continuing work on light-weight and caseless ammunition, leap-ahead improvements in integrated day–night optics and lots of directed energy initiatives.

Something for EveryoneOther firms, offering innovative weapon

sights, ammo, accessories, edged weapons, hydration, chow, extreme weather clothing, rugged gear, stun gun shocks, VR racing and more, enjoy not only our attention but that of seasoned Marines of all ranks swarming the aisles. Word of particularly notable items and other things of interest gets around quickly, and reps are always kept busy with show and tell duties.

Oh, and many thousands of free copies of Small Arms Review and Small Arms Defense Journal were handed out by the Chipotle Pub-lications team. Best deal at the show.

A full listing of exhibitors, their websites and other information may be found at www.marinemilitaryexpos.com

Robert Bruce Gabe DePlano explaining the virtues of the APX handgun.


Robert Bruce Nammo–Ben Carpenter with the USMC’s Fire From Enclosure LAW rocket.

Robert Bruce Spyderco’s Delica 4, seen here with its blunt edge training version, has long been a best seller. “The next level is here with the new Delica4 with screw construction making cleaning and adjusting easier. The fiberglass-reinforced nylon handles come molded with Bi-Directional Texturing for preferred traction and improved ergo-nomics. Inside the handle dual skeletonized stainless steel liners make the knife stronger without adding weight and make an anchor for all external and internal components to attach through adding sturdiness and rigidity. The VG-10 blade is flat saber-ground with a stronger tip and larger 13mm opening hole. Added to the blade’s spine is slip-resistant jimping. Phosphor bronze washers smooth out the open/close action, and the clip is upgraded to a four-way tip-up, tip-down, left or right-handed clip.” spyderco.com

Robert Bruce Scouting vendor booths in the Small Business Technolo-gies and Capabilities Pavilion, we zeroed in on the T:Worx Intelligent Rail, reminiscent of a project previously noted for Beretta’s ARX series. Shaun Rategan explained that the system was developed with technical guidance from PM Soldier Weapons under the SBIR program. “The Intelligent Rail is an integrated power and high-speed data com-munications mounting system compatible with existing Mil-Std 1913 (Picatinny) and NATO 4694 mounting rails. It supplies bidirectional power for all weapon-mounted accessories, simultaneously delivering a data connection between accessories and the weapon providing the ability to securely stream data, or store and transmit it off the weapon.” tworx.com


ShowModern Day Marine Expo

LocationMarine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia USA

Websitewww.marinemilitaryexpos.com

Contact Marine Military Expos1525 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1200Arlington, Virginia 22209 USATel: 760-576-6701Email [email protected]

Date of Next ShowSeptember 25–27, 2018, at MCB, Quantico, Virginia

Focus of ShowMDM is billed as “the world’s largest military exposition focusing on enhanced capabilities for expeditionary forces.”

DressBusiness casual for civilians and duty uniform for military.

Hotel HintsMost US chains have hotels and motels locally. The nearby Stafford and Fredericksburg areas have a lot of great lodging and dining op-tions. Book early, the event is a very popular show and the hotels fill up fast. See the Hotel and Travel link at the MDM website.

Power & Plug TypesAmerican standard 110 volts AC

Cultural HintsGeneral American culture in the immediate area with a tendency towards “Southern Hospitality” from friendly, polite and helpful locals. The show and the base have specific USMC culture as well; pride in being courteous, straightforward and honest. Attend the show, interact with Marines and you’ll understand.

TippingUS customs apply. Taxis about 10%, bellhops $1 per bag minimum,

Skycaps $2 per bag. Sit-down restaurants 15-25% depending on ser-vice quality. Note “tip jars“ at some of the show’s food vendors. Toss in a dollar or two for these hard-working folks.

Currency TypeUS Dollars. Go to www.xe.com for current exchange rates.

Getting AroundFly into Dulles International, Ronald Reagan Washington National, or Stafford Regional airports.

Military Museums to SeeThe spectacular National Museum of the Marine Corps is just out-side MCB Quantico. Numerous other museums are located in Virginia and nearby Wash-ington, DC.

TourismVisas required for all foreign visitors. Popular attractions in the area are found in and around Washington, DC, some 30 miles from MCB Quantico. DC’s Official travel and tourism website is http://wash-ington.org/ And as noted right below, tourism in Virginia is safer, with the added benefit of splendidly preserved battlefields from the War Between the States www.virginia.org/

DC Problems? Although recent Federal court rulings should have relaxed DC’s draconian gun prohibitions, no one other than on-duty military or authorized law enforcement personnel should take a chance by car-rying firearms, magazines or even a single round of live ammunition into the District of Columbia without obtaining the most strictly controlled permits. Not surprisingly, the nation’s capitol city has all of the usual big city problems where Democrats have dominat-ed; sprawling public housing projects with ruthless drug dealers, muggers, gang thugs, and other street criminals who ignore the District’s gun prohibitions. Visitors are cautioned against walking or even driving in all but the most heavily-patrolled areas. The Mary-land suburbs are almost as bad. Stay in Virginia, but make it south of Alexandria and near Quantico. Much more safe and sane.

Modern Day Marine Expo: Show Master Info


NOTE: All information subject to change. Go to www.marinemilitaryexpos.com for up-to-date information

Much of the equipment now used by Marines and other U.S. and allied forces confronting enemies in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the globe was first presented to military leaders, operations planners and acquisition managers at previous editions of the Expo.

As well as experiencing the latest, greatest technological advances, attendees can go face-to-face with many of the nonprofit organiza-tions and agencies that exist to assist service members and veterans.

“Crossroads of the Marine Corps”Strategically located about 30 minutes’ drive south of Washing-

ton, DC, America’s capital city with powerful lawmakers, the Pen-tagon, 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 determin-ing the Corps’ capability requirements for doctrine, equipment, orga-

nization, training, education and support.

The Marine Corps Warf-ighting Laboratory at Quanti-co is part of the Development Command and responsible for improving current and future naval expeditionary warfare capabilities for the Marines and their amphibi-ous roles and missions.

Also at Quantico is Marine Corps Systems Command, principal agency for acquisition and sus-tainment 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 exhib-it halls and discuss missions, capabilities and requirements with defense industry professionals.

Robert Bruce The Marine Corps League’s welcome team greets visitors as they enter the expo’s complex, offering complimentary gift bags with the official show program and other promotional materials.

If you’re Active Duty or a Former Marine, take a good look at the Marine Corps League and sign up. It’s good for you, it’s good for the Corps, and it’s good for the people the Corps helps. www.mclnational.org

“Expeditionary Convention Center”

It’s billed as “the world’s largest military exposition focusing on enhanced capabilities for expeditionary forces.” Now under the leadership of Alex Hetherington, a veteran Marine Aviator, this

year’s Modern Day Marine Expo was held from September 19–21 aboard Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia.

Co-sponsored by the base, the Marine Corps League and Marine Corps Systems Command, the 37th Annual MDM showcased the products and services of more than 400 entities that support military

land, air and sea operations.Wendell W. Webb, National

Commandant of the Marine Corps League, emphasized his organization’s vision for this annual event. “The Marine Corps League is committed to the Modern Day Marine Expo as a program to share the development and awareness of the tools our future Marine

Warriors will need for the next unknown conflict. This type of Expo allows the industry team to interact with the planners, General offi-cers, Staff NCOs, NCOs and the Warriors on the ground or in the air, sharing the needs and ideas of future weapon systems that turn into requirements then tactics.”

Exhibits at this year’s exposition filled three enormous, sparkling white, climate-controlled tents, as well as others showcasing small business and housing the briefings. These, and adjacent space in the outdoor display area, were packed with the latest operational equip-ment 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.



USMC photo by Private First Class Hilario Martinez General Robert Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, presents the Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hathcock Award to Sergeant Narendra Sook-deo, standing tall along with eight fellow Marines and one Navy Corpsman, honored at Wednesday morning’s Enlisted Awards Parade. Sook-deo, the Program Manager, Marksmanship Doctrine and Programs Management Section, Weapons Training Battalion, was cited for “numer-ous improvements to combat marksmanship training, Marine Corps wide,” during calendar year 2016. hqmc.marines.mil/cmc

Honors and Awards

With so many high-level Marine leaders and other VIPs converg-ing on the Expo, important cere-

monial events are conveniently scheduled to coincide. At Wednesday evening’s formal Grand Banquet and Awards Dinner at Penta-gon City’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Bob Simmons, staff director of the House Committee on Armed Services, received the Marine Corps League’s Iron Mike Award.

Marine Military Expos 2018

Next year’s Modern Day Marine Expo is scheduled for Septem-ber 25–27, once again at MCB Quantico. This is the largest of three related shows where exhibitors meet the Marines on

their own turf. Marine West Expo 2018 is slated for February 7 and 8 at Camp

Pendleton, CA, and Marine South Expo 2018 for April 11 and 12 at Camp Lejeune, NC. Both are held at home installations for two of the Marine Corps’ expeditionary forces, which are continually train-ing and dispatching fighting elements to a broad spectrum of mis-sions around the world “in the air, on land, and at sea.”

Exhibitors at the Marine Military Expos meet and exchange informa-tion, face-to-face, with not only the users of their equipment but also the men and women responsible for equipping the Corps, tasked with a broad range of existing and emerging demands.

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 sup-port situations. Marines who have recently returned from wartime mis-sions not only provide feedback but also convey suggestions and ideas that are often considered and adopted in designing or improving equip-ment and systems.

The decision-makers and procurement experts exhibitors want and need to attend the Expos for up-close and personal exposure to the lead-ing-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 profes-sionals are unlimited. Take advantage of those opportunities for your company by exhibiting at the Marine Military Expos: www.marinemil-itaryexpos.com

Wednesday morning’s impressively col-orful Enlisted Awards Parade featured the awesome precision of the Silent Drill Platoon along with stirring music from the Comman-dant’s Own Drum and Bugle Corps. Eight outstanding Marines and one Navy Hospital Corpsman were standing tall to be person-ally congratulated by Commandant Neller, the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps and Commandant of the Marine Corps League.

For us, the Gunnery Sergeant Carlos Hath-cock Award for outstanding contribution to marksmanship training is most prominent among these. 2017’s honoree was Sergeant Narendra Sookdeo for his exemplary perfor-mance while serving as Program Manager, Marksmanship Doctrine and Programs Man-agement Section, Weapons Training Battal-ion, Quantico, Virginia, for all of 2016.


showreport - marinemilitaryexpos.com€¦ · robert bruce brigadier general joseph shrader,...

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