Camp Wilson, Twentynine Palms, Calif. -- In the vast Mojave Desert, where the sun rises over rocky hills and the air shimmers with heat, thousands of Marines gather for the most demanding training they’ll face outside of combat. Long days turn into longer nights, filled with live-fire drills, tactical movements, and critical decision-making. But amid the grit and grind of Integrated Training Exercise 3-25 (ITX 3-25), a small but mighty group moves throughout the ranks offering something often overlooked during warfighting preparation: spiritual strength, emotional support, and a frozen treat.
At ITX 3-25, more than 4,200 Marine reservists from across the country come together at Camp Wilson to test their readiness and sharpen their skills. It’s the largest annual training exercise for the Marine Forces Reserve, and it’s designed to prepare Marines for any challenge.
But what makes ITX truly stand out isn’t just the realism of the training; it’s the support system built around it. In the midst of long, demanding days under the desert sun, chaplains are there. They travel from unit to unit, offering a listening ear, encouraging words, and often a surprise: snacks and cold drinks. They run game nights, host Sunday services, and are ready to lift spirits and provide guidance in any clime and place.
“The chaplain’s mission at ITX is simple and sacred: to be a steadfast presence of hope, resilience, and spiritual care in the heart of the desert. We provide worship services and offer opportunities for spiritual connection. We walk with Marines and Sailors through the exhaustion, the silence, the sandstorms, offering a listening ear, a prayer, a moment of stillness. Chaplains provide a safe space for service members to discuss personal matters, work-related issues, life stresses, marriage, and family matters,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jason Wiesepape, a chaplain with 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.
Chaplains play a quiet but powerful role in that growth. They remind Marines that strength isn’t just about physical ability, it’s also about staying engaged, connected, and mentally ready for what comes next. For Marines, that support makes a difference.
“To my fellow chaplains near and far, never underestimate the quiet power of your presence. Out here in the dust and din of training, your ministry may be a brief conversation at the edge of the field, or a prayer whispered into wind. But in those moments, eternity touches earth,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Michael Sniffen, a chaplain with 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division.