California State Assembly members, Oceanside and Vista Council members and Assembly staff members toured and learned about various units here June 28.

The visit was requested by Rocky Chavez, an assembly member and vice-chair of Assembly Veterans, in an attempt to provide general knowledge about the base and the Marine Corps to the members.

“Camp Pendleton is so big that we could spend days doing so many different things,” said Chavez, a retired Marine colonel. “This base is truly an amazing national asset and today’s visit is only showing us a touch of it.”

During the visit, the group traveled to the Marine Corps Installations West- Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Headquarters, where they met with Brig. Gen. Vincent A. Coglianese, base commanding general and regional authority of five Marine Corps installations in the Southwestern United States.

“There is 125,000 acres of land on this base, over 3,000 buildings and over 40,000 service members, but if you drive around there is no trash,” said Coglianese as he spoke about the enviroment of the base. “It was not always that way, but the Marines get it now. We are proud of what we have here and we want to preserve it.”

The members attended a command brief where they discussed the Trestles historic nomination, the Orange County Toll Road and the Transition Readiness Seminar.

“So many Marines get out of the military after being on multiple deployments and do not have a plan,” said Coglianese, in reference to the Transition Readiness Seminar. “They make decisions such as going back to their home town and using the G.I. Bill to survive, because they do not know what they want to do. This program helps them decide and helps them get there.”

The brief showed the guests that the new seminar is a five-day course offered to Marines up to 14 months from their end of active service date. The course helps Marines choose what path to take, practice resume writing and teaches them about veterans benefits.

After the command brief, the group visited Wounded Warrior Battalion-West, where they toured the Hope and Care Center.

The center provides primary medical care, mental health counseling, professional training and education, physical conditioning, and transition services for wounded, ill and injured Marines and sailors.

The assembly members then ate at the 22 Area Mess Hall before touring the Combat Convoy Simulator, where they were able to shoot mock rifles and operate tactical vehicle simulators.

California States Assembly member Adrin Nazarian said the trip provided a great opportunity for the members to learn about Marine Corps assets.

“I think visits like this are key,” said Nazarian. “It is a great opportunity to learn what recourses our military has to work with.”

Nazarian said the trip allowed the military participants to see what the state offers.

“It is a good chance to see how various levels of government can complement each other and offer support,” said Nazarian. “As a state, we are not in a defense business, but as a government entity we help make decisions that allow for more resources to be utilized and help where support may be needed.”