Inside Quantico: A look at rigorous training, operations at the century-old Marine base
WASHINGTON (7News) — It has served as a training ground for U.S. Marines for more than 100 years. Quantico Marine Base sits 36 miles from our nation's capital and on base, the training includes the dropping of bombs, heavy artillery fire, and small arms fire. This kind of training goes on day and night.
Recently, Quantico base commander, Colonel Mike Brooks gave 7News a tour of the base and explained what goes on.
“Most people are not aware of the amount of training and the type of training with munitions that are used on base," said Brooks.
The base is 54,000 acres and touches three different counties. It also has more than 40 live fire ranges that all have to be managed to ensure the safety of everyone out training.
One of the men charged with making sure those ranges are all monitored is Bob Michaelis.
“Anyone that operates in and around the base whether it’s live fire or any other type of training they have to check in with us, so we know what’s going on. We also control about 15,000 feet of airspace on top of our training area. Aircraft have to come through us as well," Michaelis told 7News.
While the other branches are dealing with issues recruiting, the Marines are at full strength and when we asked Colonel Brooks about today's Marines and their readiness he said, “I would tell you the Marine fighting spirit is still there, that has not changed. That discipline is still there, and that hasn’t changed at all. When Marines are called they answer that, and that definitely hasn’t changed.”