HORSEMANSHIP AND ANIMAL PACKING SPECIALIST

Job TitleMountain Warfare Training Center DutiesJob DescriptionYou will develop and support all functions required to conduct a formal military program of instruction in the technical and tactical employment of military pack animals for utilization in a mountainous environment. You will be tasked with the management of the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center (MCMWTC), Bridgeport, California stable facility and care of its animals, primarily horses and mules. You will be maintaining the barn, fenced irrigated pastures, and corrals, ensuring they are secure, clean, and in good repair.

You will implementing a rigorous conditioning and acclimatization regimen to prepare the animals for the extreme physiological demands of high altitudes and cold temperatures. You will be innovating and refining animal packing technology to enhance the program's effectiveness, requiring a blend of traditional stable management skills with creative problem-solving and technical aptitude. You will packing various weapons systems, requiring a precise methodology to ensure each weapon is securely stowed, protected from damage, and balanced for transport, yet readily accessible if required.

You will actively assist instructors and guides students through the physical process of loading the animals, demonstrating proper techniques for lifting and securing cargo. You will conduct meticulous pre-mission health assessments, including hoof care and specialized shoeing for icy or rocky terrain, and administer any necessary prophylactic treatments to prevent common ailments. You will implementing established animal cool-down protocols, replenishing fluids and nutrients to restore energy levels, and providing a clean, dry, and warm environment for rest.

You will be working with veterinarians, and be skilled in identifying and addressing a variety of hoof-related issues, from abscess and disease to injuries sustained in the field.