MCAGCC TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- More than 3,400 Reserve Marines from across the nation gathered here June 1 to start their two-week annual training at Combined Arms Exercise (CAX) 7.
CAX encompasses all the skills a Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force has to perform in a real world operation.
"The training the Marines receive here is some of the best in the world," said Col. Frank R. Gunter, commander, MAGTF Marine Forces Reserve 1.
With over 950 square miles, the Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force Training Center Twenty-nine Palms offers large training areas, challenging terrain and high temperatures to have the air, ground and all the other combat elements brought together for some serious training for these reserve Marines, Gunter said.
"It's my first time in a desert climate," said Lance Cpl. David Vargas, forward observer, Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, Philadelphia. "I'm excited about putting my skills to work at CAX for the next two weeks."
All the reserve Marines here have the opportunity to use their military occupational specialty--artillery, infantry, communications--every facet the Marine Corps needs in a real world environment.
"The Marines you're training with here could be the ones you're fighting with eight months from now," Gunter said.
This is where Marines learn how to take care of each other. Reserve Marines get to see and learn how a MAGTF works, Gunter said. This will prepare them for the real deal if they ever get activated.