WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2010 — A "customer satisfaction survey" is one thing; direct dialogue between buyer and seller is another. For Marines – whose employment often involves violent action and the most demanding equipment requirements – direct, open exchange of information with the people who manufacture the tools of their trade is rare. A major military exposition at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA, is about to change that.
During September 28 – 30, members of the defense industry will meet some of their best customers at Quantico, and, on the 28th and 29th, participate in direct exchanges of information at the "Warfighters' Corner," a unique new forum at the 2010 Modern Day Marine Military Exposition. At the "Corner," Marines, recently back from combat duty, will relate stories of how they were equipped and equipment performance – and how industry might improve or develop new gear for battlefield, seaborne and aerial engagements.
Company representatives from leading defense manufacturers will be able to respond, discuss details of the Marines' experiences, and ask questions as to how equipment might be improved for specific situations or general operations.
The Warfighters' Corner schedule: September 28 – 10:30 a.m. Explosive Ordnance Disposal Marine and the Hunt for IEDs; 1:00 p.m. Role of the Marine Sniper in Combat; 3:00p.m. Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle Survival Stories … September 29 – 10:30 a.m. Training Systems Challenges and Opportunities; 1:00 p.m. Energy – What We Need; 3:00 p.m. Lighten-the-Load
Sessions in the Warfighters' Corner are open not only to exhibitors but to all expo attendees.
Experience levels among Marine presenters at the Warfighters' Corner will be significant. Among others, there will be a battalion commander with extensive experience in dealing with the improvised explosive device (IED) threat; a sniper who will describe personal experiences and those of other Marines on his sniper team; a Marine infantryman who will relate, first-hand, why an acute awareness of the combat loads borne by individual Marines on the ground can be one of the most critical factors in planning and executing both assault operations and sustained ground engagements; an electronics specialist who has experienced the demands placed on mobile power equipment and the Marines who operate it on the modern battlefield. Other warfighters, with recent combat experience, will exchange information with industry representatives on the performance of mine resistant ambush protected vehicles, and also address training requirements and types of training equipment best suited to prepare Marines for the types of operations and operational environments in which they are now engaged.
The Modern Day Marine Exposition is sponsored by the Marine Corps League and co-sponsored by Marine Corps Base, Quantico, and Marine Corps Systems Command. The League is a 70,000-member Marine Corps veteran's organization. Marine Corps Systems Command develops Marine warfighting concepts and determines the Corps' capability requirements for doctrine, equipment, organization, training, education and support. Marine Corps Base, Quantico, located in Northern Virginia and known as the "Crossroads of the Corps," is home to the Marine Corps University as well as other major training professional education organizations.
Beginning with the First Modern Day Marine Expo, in Arizona 30 years ago, the annual event has grown in renown for innovative defense-related presentations and special events. For example, the opening ceremony for the initial edition of the expo, on August 18, 1981, took place after light poles were removed from the parking lot in order to land a fixed-wing aircraft in Tucson's downtown Community Center. The Warfighters' Corner continues the expo's proud tradition of innovation.
From about 40 companies exhibiting at the first exposition, in Tucson, the event has grown into the largest presentation of expeditionary warfare equipment in the world, earning distinction as one of the top-rated productions in the trade show industry, with more than 450 exhibitors slated for its 30th Anniversary edition.
The 2010 expo will draw not only U.S. Marine Corps military and civilian personnel but also members of the other U.S. services, foreign military attaches, and corporate representatives from throughout the United States and several allied nations. News media representatives desiring to cover any portion of the exposition must have their press credentials upon arrival at the exposition site for registration. Due to heightened security, all attendees are required to have picture identification available when entering the base at Quantico. Uniformed Marines may enter exhibit halls without a special registration badge. All other attendees and industry representatives must register on site and obtain a registration badge during registration hours.
Exhibit areas will open at 10:00 a.m. each day. The exhibits will close at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and 3:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Additional information on the exposition is available at http://www.marinemilitaryexpos.com
Photos:
Marines deploying to harm's way do so with the knowledge that the best companies in U.S. and allied industry are equipping them with advanced weapons and weapons systems – items the Marines may have first seen at one of the annual Modern Day Marine Military Expositions: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2010-Marine-Photo-One.jpg
Over the past 30 years, Marine warfighters attending Modern Day Military Expositions have seen considerable advances in combat equipment such as artillery and fire support coordination systems used to place steel on target with great accuracy: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2010-Marine-Photo-Two.jpg
# # #