MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING CENTER, Calif. -- The Marine Corps has dozens of generals, scores of sergeants major, but only one mule packer.
Sergeant Blaine L. Scott, 29, of Lamoni, Iowa is the Corps' only official animal packer and animal packer instructor. His specialty is mules.
Scott is responsible for the eight mules and two horses at the Mountain Warfare Training Center. In 1983, the Marine Corps started a three to five year experiment to test the value of pack animal transportation. The program was a success and continues here today as the only authorized pack station and school in the Department of Defense.
An infantryman by trade, Scott says the job of mule packer never entered his mind when he joined the Corps.
"I grew up on a farm and started working with mules when I was a kid. My grandfather was a big time mule packer," explained Scott, a 1992 graduate of Grand Valley High. "But I never thought I would be in charge of the only mules the Marine Corps has. I didn't even know we had any mules until I got to MWTC."
Scott, a Mountain Leader instructor, said that he started helping out down at the stables on weekends and when the other instructor left he just took over the job.
The mission of the pack station and school is to provide the Marine Corps with an alternative method for transporting crew-served weapons, ammunition, supplies and wounded personnel to and from areas inaccessible to mechanized and air mobile transportation.
"The Mountain Warfare Training Center is a perfect place to host the pack station and school," said Lt. Col. Joe Dennison, the Center's executive officer. "Recent U.S. experiences in Afghanistan have validated that in high elevations and rugged mountainous terrain, mules are the way to move heavy loads. Here at MWTC we have the elevation, the rugged mountainous terrain, and the mules. We train 100 servicemen a year, Marines and Soldiers, in the 10-day Mule Packers Course."
For Scott, the mules have more than proved their usefulness.
"Last summer we had a Marine who broke his ankle and I packed him on a mule and brought him down to lower base camp, which is about six miles," said Scott.
Scott is quick to explain the advantages of using mules, which are cross between a female horse and a male burro, rather than horses.
"Mules are more nimble and sure-footed than any horse will ever be," said Scott. "Mules are problem solvers. They are some of the smartest animals you'll ever see. I have one mule, Gray, who has figured out how to open the gates to the stalls and let all the other animals out. So I have to be sure that I lock all the gates."
The care and feeding of the animals is only one part of Scott's responsibilities. He also instructs students who come to the Mountain Warfare Training Center on how to effectively use pack animals to carry heavy loads.
"The Mule Packers Course is divided up between periods of instruction at the barn and out in the field," said Scott. "I teach bivouac routine, basic care of mules in the field, like how much to feed and water them. I also teach how to employ animals in a tactical scenario. How to properly pack and secure loads on the animal is also a big part of the course. My students learn more out in the field than they do back in the barn."
The amount of weight an animal can carry depends on its size.
"Mules typically can carry about one-third of their weight," said Scott. "I have used mules to carry most any crew served weapon, such as a .50 cal., Mk 19s or 81 mm mortars and their ammunition. I also have packed chow and water on a mule. They're great. Anywhere you can walk a mule can walk."
Scott finds his job both challenging and rewarding.
"I think I have one of the best jobs in the Marine Corps," said Scott. "Everyday I get to work with animals and I really like that."
Scott has been at the Mountain Warfare Training Center for more than two years now, and though he enjoys his duties as the Marine Corps only mule packer, he longs to get back to the Fleet Marine Force.
"I really like it here, but next year when I rotate out I would like to go to Camp Pendleton and hopefully into 1st Marine Division," said Scott.
The Center has already begun looking for a replacement for Scott.
"If there are any infantrymen in the Corps who have experience working with pack animals, be they mules or horses; they should give us a call," said Sgt. Maj. John Matlock, MWTC sergeant major.