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January 2006

Marine Guards to Get New Small-Arms Training System

By Harold Kennedy

The U.S. Marine Corps is providing its security guards stationed at embassies and consulates around the world with new, portable virtual small-arms training systems.

The Corps in October awarded a contract potentially worth $20 million to FATS Inc., of Suwanee, Ga., to supply the system to Marine Security Guard forces worldwide, according to the company's CEO, Ron Mohling.

Initially, FATS will deliver 65 systems, at a cost of $5.5 million, Mohling said. Eventually, however, they will be installed in 141 locations around the globe, said Bob Dare, vice president for military sales.

More than 1,000 Marine Security Guards, members of the 4th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, are assigned to nearly 140 U.S. embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions internationally. They are trained and equipped to provide security for diplomatic missions during everyday business and crises requiring combat operations.

The new system-known as the Individual Marksmanship Trainer Enhanced, Marine Security Guard (ISMT-MSG)-is the latest generation of a technology the Marines first acquired in 1989. The original trainers were analog. Later versions are digital, and this new line "reduces the digital footprint substantially without losing any training capability," Dare said.

Leathernecks can use the system to hone their skills in marksmanship, tactics and decision making, he noted. It uses computer-generated simulations requiring Marines, armed with mock weapons, to react to various tactical scenarios. The FATS system can be used for training with more than 300 kinds of weapons, but the ISMT-MSG focuses on M-4 carbines, handguns and shotguns.

The system presents scenarios in urban, jungle, desert and mountainous terrain. Artificial intelligence imbedded in the software allows the enemy to respond and adapt to the trainee's actions. It is meant to be employed by individuals and small units of as many as 10 Marines, Dare explained.

The system comes in a self-contained, ruggedized case that is light enough to be carried by one man. It can be set up in less than 15 minutes, he said.

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