Combat Center Marines, sailors receive taste of mobile exchange

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS -- Marine Corps Community Services oversees MTFX's operations. MTFX has provided support to units that are in deployed environments since 2012. They provide items for purchase such as hygiene essentials, snacks and cold drinks. Forward deployed units, and now those that are training aboard the Combat Center, can receive support from the MTFX when requested.

“The first thing we’ll provide are [products] essential to completing the mission,” said Gunnery Sgt. Jerry Self Jr., Camp Wilson area operations manager, Headquarters Battalion. “Then we provide things that are nice to have. You’d be surprised to see how much of an impact it makes for a Marine to have access to something as simple as a cold drink.”

The MTFX is currently a cash-only establishment but the prices are the same as those at the Marine Corps Exchange on main side. Currently, there is only one MTFX available to the Combat Center, but they plan on supporting future training exercises as they are requested.

“We operate based off of the commander’s guidance,” Self said. “The mobile exchange is important because it boosts the morale of the Marines. The higher the morale, the harder they train and the better warfighters they become.”

MTFX is currently providing support to the Marines and sailors of Ground Combat Element Integrated Task Force and those participating in Desert Scimitar.

“When you go around doing this, the unit commanders see a noticeable difference in their Marines,” said Sgt. Tyler Sylvester, troop morale specialist, Headquarters Battalion. “It’s great to see [the Marines’] spirits lifted when they know it’s the week the [MFTX] is supposed to be coming.”