U.S. Marines Train with Army Infantry Squad Vehicle to Boost Southern Border Security.

U.S. Marines with Joint Task Force–Southern Border completed advanced driver training on the Army’s Infantry Squad Vehicle at Fort Bliss, Texas, on October 29, 2025. The exercise enhances mobility and coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection along the southern border.

U.S. Marines assigned to Joint Task Force–Southern Border (JTF-SB) trained on the U.S. Army’s Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) at Fort Bliss, Texas, as part of a readiness exercise on October 29, 2025. Defense officials said the training focused on tactical driving, rapid maneuvering, and cross-branch coordination to improve the task force’s ability to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations. The ISV, built on a modified Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 platform, allows small units to move quickly across rugged terrain, a capability seen as vital for mobility along remote stretches of the border.
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U.S. Marines with Joint Task Force–Southern Border maneuver through off-road terrain during Infantry Squad Vehicle operator training at Fort Bliss, Texas, October 29, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War)

The ISV (Infantry Squad Vehicle) Operator Training Course challenged Marines to navigate off-road courses, execute vehicle recovery procedures, and operate under simulated mission conditions that reflect the rugged terrain of the U.S.–Mexico border. By completing this certification, Marines are now qualified to employ the Army’s light tactical ISV platform during real-world patrol and reconnaissance operations.

Joint Task Force–Southern Border, established to strengthen homeland security, brings together multiple U.S. military branches to support interagency efforts protecting American sovereignty. The integration of the Army’s Infantry Squad Vehicle into Marine Corps operations demonstrates how joint mobility solutions can improve rapid response and operational flexibility.

The Infantry Squad Vehicle, produced by GM Defense and based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 platform, was designed to provide light infantry and special operations units with a fast, deployable mobility option. The vehicle can carry up to nine Marines and their equipment while traversing rugged terrain at high speed. Weighing less than 2,268 kg (5,000 pounds), it can be transported internally by a CH-47 Chinook or externally by a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, enabling rapid deployment to remote or austere locations.

For Marine forces, the ISV fills a critical gap between light tactical vehicles and heavier armored transports. Its combination of agility, endurance, and ease of maintenance allows small units to operate independently across extended patrol zones, supporting missions that require both speed and adaptability.

U.S military officials highlighted that this training initiative enhances joint interoperability between the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps, an essential element of the Pentagon’s modernization strategy. By adapting expeditionary mobility platforms for domestic operations, the U.S. military is improving its ability to respond to border security challenges, natural disasters, and multi-domain threats on U.S. soil.

The introduction of the ISV into JTF-SB (Joint Task Force–Southern Border ) operations underscores the Defense Department’s commitment to ensuring homeland defense through advanced technology and agile mobility. As the U.S. military continues to strengthen its partnerships with CBP and other federal agencies, such initiatives reflect a unified approach to national security, emphasizing readiness, deterrence, and rapid response.

The U.S. southern border remains a complex operational environment that demands flexibility and integration across multiple services. Training events like the one at Fort Bliss ensure that U.S. Marines remain prepared to operate modern mobility platforms effectively, supporting joint missions that safeguard America’s territorial integrity.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.