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 Cpl. Memphis Pitts
2025 Annual Marine Corps Rifle Squad Competition: Force-on-Force with 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment (B-Roll)
Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools
May 27, 2025 | 1:20
U.S. Marines with The Basic School and 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division conduct the force-on-force portion of the Annual Rifle Squad Competition on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, May 13, 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 Cpl. Memphis Pitts)
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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.