MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- "Security and stabilization?"

Not so many years ago, a Marine would have been puzzled by such a phrase.

Talk of beach landings, taking territory by force and ousting despots like Saddam Hussein certainly would have lit his bulb. But public works projects and distributing textbooks while warily watching for insurgents? No way.

Indeed it's a different world, requiring a broader skill-set for today’s Marines — and specialist devil dogs with a knack for the softer side of building free, democratic nations.

One such group — the 6th Civil Affairs Group — underwent intensive training Saturday and Sunday in preparation for their deployment to Iraq in the fall.

The group’s mission is to “interface between military and civil society,” said Lt. Col. Todd W. Ryder, plans officer with the group.

The 6th — composed of Reserve Marines, mostly officers and senior staff noncommissioned officers from Marine Corps Reserve units around the country — is a special CAG. Previously, CAGs have been concerned with administering elections, rebuilding schools, rebuilding neglected or damaged infrastructure and ensuring delivery of essentials like water and medicine. But the 6th CAG will chart a new horizon by managing the handover of those responsibilities to the Iraqi government.

Lt. Col. Helen Pratt, the executive officer of 6th CAG says the unit will “help put an Iraqi face” on civil affairs’ work. The goal is to begin “focusing on the Iraqi government” so the government can begin filling the CAG’s role. The process is similar to “Iraqi police building” currently under way, she said.

Accordingly, the 6th CAG last weekend underwent unprecedented field training that may soon become standard. It ranged from how to handle civilian media to setting up the hub of the CAG’s operations — the civil military operation center.

The center resembled a Hollywood movie set. Concertina wire marked the perimeter. A run-down ranch house without power and shattered windows served as the nerve center.

The training included Marine role players masquerading as Iraqis. They sported long hair, beards, robes and headgear common in the region.

The role players met with CAG officers while others set off mock improvised explosive devices and played the role of insurgents.

In many ways, the base was a fitting training site. Temperatures teetered around 100 degrees, mimicking a sweltering Iraq summer, to the bane of Marines wearing helmets and flak jackets. Base housing — where airmen lived with their families just a few years ago — was run down and spray-painted with Arabic graffiti. Marines cleared the houses without worrying about damage.

Although wearing full gear in hot weather caused some misery, it was worth preparing for a truly humanitarian mission, Ryder said.

“One common feature is an overwhelming sincerity (to the mission) and desire to serve,” Ryder said with a smile.