Marine Corps Muleskinners

Sgt. Justin D. Head, animal packing course chief instructor, exercises his mustang, Hondo, shortly after grazing. The animal packing course is the only one of its kind in the department of defense and teaches Marines and other military personnel how to effectively and efficiently work with beast of burden to transport munitions, supplies and wounded personnel to and from areas inaccessible to mechanized and air transportation. The course, offered at the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, teaches an introduction to animal packing, an anatomy of pack animals, animal packing techniques, casualty evacuation techniques, animal first aid and bivouac considerations.

Sgt. Warren Sparks, Mountain Warfare Animal Packer Instructor, leads a group of Marines across the Sierra Nevada mountain range on his mule, Trigger. The Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center trains Marines and other service members to move across various terrains at altitudes between 8,000 to 11,000 feet. The animal packer course is one of several classes taught at the MWTC.

The bond established between Marine and animal are important to the success of every packing mission. "You put a horse in certain circumstances, he has to be able to trust you," said Sgt. Warren Head, animal packer course chief instructor. "They see we feed them and take care of them, and over time, that builds the trust between us."

Capt. Anthony F. Reynolds, maintenance management officer at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, rest his mule, Herman, following a supply transport to a training area. Marines are taught to tend to the needs of their packing animals before taking care of their own, which includes brushing, grazing and resting the animals once they arrive to their destination.

The Marine Corps animal packing course is designed to aid Marine Corps units in alternative methods of transporting crew served weapons, ammunition, supplies and wounded personnel to and from areas inaccessible to mechanized and air mobile transportation. Students are taught the necessary skills to enable them to plan, organize, and conduct animal packing, and/or provide advice to senior commanders and staffs.