thedrifter
10-21-03, 05:45 AM
Students and instructors display skills as...
Far East School hosts MCMAP demo
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2003107233358
Story by Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
CAMP COURTNEY, Okinawa, Japan (Oct. 1, 2003) -- Marines assigned to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Far East School on Camp Courtney hosted a demonstration for the sergeants major of the major subordinate commands and other guests Oct. 1.
The Marine martial artists dazzled the crowd with the various moves and techniques they've learned in the program.
Eight students from the instructor course along with 20 other instructors from various commands across Okinawa participated in the exhibition. Displays from two Okinawan martial arts specialists and their students followed the Marines.
Master instructor Kensho Tokumura, a teacher of the Gojo Ryu martial art and former Japanese security guard for 37 years, performed several techniques. With two of his students assisting, Tokumura introduced the audience to the disciplines of Gojo Ryu.
Grandmaster Fusei Kise and a few of his students from the Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Matsumura dojo performed a similar show. Teaching Marines for 50 years, Kise is a world-renowned specialist in martial arts.
"Whenever we host one of these demonstrations we like to invite some of the Okinawan martial artists to show appreciation for some of the things they have done for us," said Master Sgt. Shane T. Franklin, director of the MCMAP Far East School. "Some of the local dojos have taught many Marines on Okinawa how to enhance and refine what they have learned in MCMAP."
Created in Aug. 2000, MCMAP has progressed steadily through the years Franklin explained. III Marine Expeditionary Force alone has 79.8 percent of its Marines adequately trained, which is higher than any other MEF in the Corps.
The Far East School was created in Aug. 2001. Its primary mission is to train instructors who can return to their own units and train their Marines to the levels of each belt (tan, gray, green, brown, and black).
Some of the students in the current class jumped at the chance to participate in it. Students like Cpl. Micah D. Samuelsen, a Houston native, have developed an intense motivation level due to their love for the program.
"When I heard my unit was sending a person here to take the instructor course I pounced on the opportunity," Samuelsen said. "I'm all about MCMAP because it gives Marines a different type of physical training, a combat mindset and develops professional and moral character."
Learning at the Far East School is somewhat different than the other MCMAP schools the Marine Corps has. Practicing martial arts in an area of the world where it is more prominent can be exciting Franklin explains.
"There are several different martial arts dojos on Okinawa, some are even right outside the gates of most bases on island," Franklin concluded. "Many Marines learn what they can from them after they reach a certain belt level. In our program however, we only teach the combat effectiveness of the different techniques. It's function over form. We do care how it looks but effectiveness is more important"
Franklin also mentioned MCMAP has become a part of the Corps so much, that in the future the training may be factored into the composite scores and Performance Evaluation Systems of Marines seeking promotion.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200310843411/$file/MCMAPDEMO-1low.jpg
Grandmaster Fusei Kise from the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Matsumura Dojo exhibits a tuite, or manipulation technique on GySgt. Henry J. Weaver from 3rd Marine Division, operations section. Students from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Far East School on Camp Courtney were treated to some of Kise?s knowledge during a demonstration Oct. 1.
Photo by: Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/90254E53CF72967D85256DB900139703?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Far East School hosts MCMAP demo
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification Number: 2003107233358
Story by Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
CAMP COURTNEY, Okinawa, Japan (Oct. 1, 2003) -- Marines assigned to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Far East School on Camp Courtney hosted a demonstration for the sergeants major of the major subordinate commands and other guests Oct. 1.
The Marine martial artists dazzled the crowd with the various moves and techniques they've learned in the program.
Eight students from the instructor course along with 20 other instructors from various commands across Okinawa participated in the exhibition. Displays from two Okinawan martial arts specialists and their students followed the Marines.
Master instructor Kensho Tokumura, a teacher of the Gojo Ryu martial art and former Japanese security guard for 37 years, performed several techniques. With two of his students assisting, Tokumura introduced the audience to the disciplines of Gojo Ryu.
Grandmaster Fusei Kise and a few of his students from the Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Matsumura dojo performed a similar show. Teaching Marines for 50 years, Kise is a world-renowned specialist in martial arts.
"Whenever we host one of these demonstrations we like to invite some of the Okinawan martial artists to show appreciation for some of the things they have done for us," said Master Sgt. Shane T. Franklin, director of the MCMAP Far East School. "Some of the local dojos have taught many Marines on Okinawa how to enhance and refine what they have learned in MCMAP."
Created in Aug. 2000, MCMAP has progressed steadily through the years Franklin explained. III Marine Expeditionary Force alone has 79.8 percent of its Marines adequately trained, which is higher than any other MEF in the Corps.
The Far East School was created in Aug. 2001. Its primary mission is to train instructors who can return to their own units and train their Marines to the levels of each belt (tan, gray, green, brown, and black).
Some of the students in the current class jumped at the chance to participate in it. Students like Cpl. Micah D. Samuelsen, a Houston native, have developed an intense motivation level due to their love for the program.
"When I heard my unit was sending a person here to take the instructor course I pounced on the opportunity," Samuelsen said. "I'm all about MCMAP because it gives Marines a different type of physical training, a combat mindset and develops professional and moral character."
Learning at the Far East School is somewhat different than the other MCMAP schools the Marine Corps has. Practicing martial arts in an area of the world where it is more prominent can be exciting Franklin explains.
"There are several different martial arts dojos on Okinawa, some are even right outside the gates of most bases on island," Franklin concluded. "Many Marines learn what they can from them after they reach a certain belt level. In our program however, we only teach the combat effectiveness of the different techniques. It's function over form. We do care how it looks but effectiveness is more important"
Franklin also mentioned MCMAP has become a part of the Corps so much, that in the future the training may be factored into the composite scores and Performance Evaluation Systems of Marines seeking promotion.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200310843411/$file/MCMAPDEMO-1low.jpg
Grandmaster Fusei Kise from the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Matsumura Dojo exhibits a tuite, or manipulation technique on GySgt. Henry J. Weaver from 3rd Marine Division, operations section. Students from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Far East School on Camp Courtney were treated to some of Kise?s knowledge during a demonstration Oct. 1.
Photo by: Cpl. Ryan D. Libbert
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/90254E53CF72967D85256DB900139703?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: