WASHINGTON, Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — The 2012 edition of the world's largest military exposition focusing on enhanced capabilities for expeditionary forces will be held at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA, Tuesday, September 25th through Thursday, September 27th, under sponsorship of the Marine Corps League.
The 32nd Annual Modern Day Marine Military Exposition will provide a forward-focused perspective of cutting-edge equipment and systems specifically designed to help U.S. and allied forces fight and win in the air, on land and at sea in the 21st Century. Expo Director Charlie Baisley said "Our more than 500 exhibitors will be from among the world's best defense industry manufacturers and suppliers—companies dedicated to providing the Corps with modern, cost-effective warfighting equipment and systems. Between 7,000 and 8,000 attendees—the majority of whom will be uniformed Marines—will visit the exhibits and discuss their particular interests and exchange ideas with the industry representatives."
The Marine Corps League, sponsor of the exposition, is the largest and only Congressionally Chartered Marine Corps related veterans organization in the nation. The event is co-sponsored by the Marine Corps Systems Command and Marine Corps Base, Quantico. Additionally, it is endorsed by the Marine Corps Aviation Association and the Marine Corps Association. Many of the systems and much of the equipment now used by the Marines and other U.S. and allied forces in operations around the world, today, were first showcased before military leaders and planners at previous editions of the expo.
For more than three decades, Marines and others attending the expositions have consistently said one of the event's most important features is the opportunity it affords them to deliver personal input—including examples of their own combat experiences—directly to the people who design and produce the world's best defense equipment, systems and services.
Several other significant activities will be held in conjunction with the Modern Day Marine Exposition, including a special by-invitation-only Report to Industry presented by Marine Corps general officers closely associated with all aspects of the Corps' equipment and systems research, development, testing and acquisition programs and policies. The report will be followed by Marine Corps Systems Command Exhibitor Meetings in which members of the defense industry will receive direct input from the men and women directly involved with the programs through which Marines acquire and field weapons and equipment.
An enlisted awards parade will be held at 9:00a.m. at Quantico on Wednesday, September 26th, to honor distinguished enlisted Marines and sailors from units around the world. That evening, the exposition's grand banquet and awards dinner, will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the Pentagon City section of Arlington, VA, to present awards for outstanding service to the Marine Corps and the nation. The Marine Corps League's highest national awards will be presented to two distinguished Americans. U.S. Senator Kay Hagen of North Carolina will be presented with the Dickey Chapelle award and Sergeant Major Carlton Kent USMC (Ret.), former Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, will be awarded the Military Order of the Iron Mike award. The Dickey Chapelle Award is named for a distinguished war correspondent, who was killed while on patrol with Marines in Vietnam. The Military Order of the Iron Mike is named for a famous Marine statue, symbolizing valor, at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC.
The exposition is open to U.S. and allied armed forces, civilian employees of the Department of Defense, and members of the defense industry. Thursday, September 27th, will be "Family Day," when family members of Department of Defense military and civilian personnel may tour the exhibits.
All expo attendees will be required to have photo identification available when entering the base at Quantico, and vehicles may be subjected to inspection. Registration will be on-site. There is no fee to attend the event. Additional details are available at: www.marinemilitaryexpos.com
Hours of the Modern Day Marine Military Exposition are from 10:00a.m. to 3:30p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday and from 10:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. on the last day, Thursday, 27 September.
Additional Information: Mr. Charlie Baisley—Office: (202) 637-6138
or Email