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Every Marine a Rifleman and Now, a Drone Operator

The U.S. Marine Corps has unveiled a new training initiative that equips hundreds of Marines with small‑drone operating skills. The program builds on the Corps’ long‑standing “every Marine a rifleman” doctrine, adding a second specialty as unmanned‑aircraft operators. Training combines classroom instruction, simulator work, and field exercises to certify Marines to launch, control, and recover tactical UAVs. The effort aims to embed persistent aerial surveillance directly within infantry squads.