Courtesy Photo | Marines wait outside of the Mobile Tactical Field Exchange during 10th Marine...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Marines made use of the Mobile Tactical Field Exchange to resupply and enjoy a few treats during a field exercise at Fort Bragg, N.C., recently.
It was the first time the MTFE, a portable store run by Marines with Marine Corps Community Services, was set up outside of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and its neighboring installations. The exchange was there in support of 10th Marine Regiment’s Exercise Rolling Thunder.
The mobile exchange is used for training and special events, as well as during natural disasters and relief efforts. The exchange provided uniform necessities, field hygiene products, rifle cleaning gear and other field necessities as well as snacks and drinks for the Marines on the ground.
The store allows Marines with the MCCS military occupational specialty to train for their role in a deployed environment.
“It was one-hundred-percent like what we would do during a deployment,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jemille Isaac, the assistant retail operations chief with MCCS.
During Exercise Rolling Thunder, the MCCS Marines faced some of the challenges expected while in a deployed environment. Their computer systems were down for the first three days of the exercise so they manually tracked the purchases and inventory.
“We don’t close shop because a register is down,” said Gunnery Sgt. Joseph Figueroa. “It’s contrary to our customer service ethos.”
While deployed, the mobile exchange Marines provide services for Marines who typically do not see a mobile exchange for weeks.
“(Exercise Rolling Thunder) was a great training environment for our Marines,” said Figueroa.
It was also a great morale booster for 10th Marine Regiment’s Marines, said Capt. Shalinda Sprehn, the logistics operations center officer in charge during Exercise Rolling Thunder.
Marines were able to purchase cold drinks, an unusual treat for the artillery Marines and others supporting the exercise.
The exchange was a success; most items sold out and were resupplied multiple times.
“All of our expectations were surpassed,” said Isaac. “It was very successful.”
The MTFE is available to units for extended training exercises.
“We have the Mobile Tactical Field Exchange at their reach,” said Figueroa. “It’s at their disposal.”
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| Date Taken: | 11.14.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2013 11:38 |
| Story ID: | 116727 |
| Location: | JACKSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 258 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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