CAMP SHELBY, Miss. -- Fourth Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, conducted their unit's largest and longest "Motor March", June 14, to Camp Shelby, Miss., a new site for their two-week Annual Training exercise.Approximately 550 Marines with more than 100 pieces of rolling stock, primarily five-ton trucks and Humvees, made their way to the largest state-owned training site in the nation, bringing with them 15 155mm Towed Howitzers. Three firing batteries power 4/14; Battery K from Chattanooga, Tenn., Battery M from Huntsville, Ala., and Battery L along with Headquarters Battery from Bessemer, Ala. Over a period of two weeks, 4/14 will fire some 1,200 artillery rounds using almost all of the firing ranges on Camp Shelby. "This is an excellent facility for combat simulated training," said 1st Sgt. Scott A. Leigh, battery first sergeant, Battery L. "We have the opportunity to operate in a versatile environment."During times of conflict, such as the global War on Terror, it is imperative that all Marines are prepared, and combat ready. In the midst of battle, Marines have to stay continually focused on their objective, maintaining a higher level of awareness. Portions of 4/14 were mobilized in support of Operations Desert Shield/ Desert Storm in 1990."You have to tighten your chinstrap and give it all you got," said Pfc. David M. Curry, a native of Birmingham, Ala., and a wireman for Headquarters Battery. "This type of training makes you wonder, 'Do I know what I have to do if I were to go to war today?'" Camp Shelby provides the Marines with a new and unfamiliar training environment, which equates to a more challenging and interesting training event. "The climate is about the same as we live in, so its good training," said Staff Sgt. Michael T. Martin, radio chief, HQ Battery. "The terrain here also offers a wider variety of obstacles."Unlike exercises held on a Marine Corps training facility where all scheduled operations are dictated from a higher headquarters, 4/14 had to face the challenge of organizing the exercise on their own, said Maj. James M. Rose, operations officer, HQ Battery. "It gave us the chance to go on a non-Marine Corps facility and show our colors," said Rose. This year's highlighted events include a Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation Exercise, which is conducted at the conclusion of the training; and a "direct fire shoot", which is similar to a marksmanship contest except for its artillery. The MCCREE will grade the Marines based on their individual and overall unit performance. "They are doing excellent," said Martin. "All the batteries have done an outstanding job in all areas of the training. I give it an A+."Ready, willing and able is Marine Forces Reserve's motto. Reservists must undergo rigorous training in the time afforded to them to maintain the same high standards necessary for them to be efficient in a wartime environment. The two-week AT exercise is an opportunity for the Marines to put it all on the line."Long hours and hard work, and they are still going strong," said Leigh. "These are the most motivated Marines I have seen in years."