DEFENDER is the Army’s largest annual opportunity to exercise moving personnel and equipment into theater across modes for initial and follow-on operations critical to Large Scale Combat Operations. Led by U.S. Army Europe and Africa, the exercise focuses on the strategic deployment of CONUS-based forces, employment of Army Prepositioned Stock and follow-on exercises demonstrating lethality and interoperability with Allies and partners

DEFENDER 25 Outreach tour
DEFENDER 25 Infographic

Videos
Video by Lance Cpl. Paul Kalogeris
2025 Annual Marine Corps Rifle Squad Competition: Briefing from Colonel Robert G. McCarthy III
Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools
May 29, 2025 | 3:47
U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert G. McCarthy III, the commanding officer of The Basic School, addresses Marines with 1st, 2nd and 3rd Marine divisions at the 2025 annual Rifle Squad Competition at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, May 12, 2025. The Marine Corps Rifle Squad Competition is an annual competition that utilizes simulated combat conditions to challenge competitors with a wide variety of complex and realistic scenarios to determine which Marine rifle squad most effectively demonstrate their combat capabilities and operational proficiency. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Paul Kalogeris)
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Press Information

enlightenedTo find information about filing a claim related to exercise DEFENDER activities, visit Claims Information and select your country.