thedrifter
06-14-04, 06:24 AM
Wanted: Leaders of Marines for MCT
Submitted by: MCAS New River
Story Identification #: 200463133314
Story by Sgt. Andrew W. Miller
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - (April 22, 2004) -- A former New River flightline mechanic recently began teaching basic ground combat skills to Marines arriving from recruit training.
Sergeant Guy A. Row, formerly of Marine Helicopter Training Squadron-302, completed the seven-week Marine Corps Combat Instructor Course on March 12 at Marine Combat Training aboard Camp Geiger to fulfill his "b-billet," or special duty assignment, as an MCT Marine combat instructor.
The decision to try out MCIC was easy to make, according to the Port St. Lucia, Fla., native.
"I didn't want to be a recruiter, so that was out of the question, and I had just bought a house, so the idea of moving to be a drill instructor was out," said Row. "Being an instructor at MCT seemed like an obvious choice to me."
Due to the variety of military occupational specialty backgrounds the instructors come from, the course is designed to refresh everyone in the basics and ensure they are all on the same page.
According to Row, anyone interested in the course can look forward to an extensive MCT-type experience, integrated with physical training; a week of endurance and obstacle courses; two weeks of Formal School Instructors Course at Camp Johnson; and four weeks of weapons systems training, live firing and hikes or "humps."
"In all, there are approximately 73 different items to learn with more than 60 being taught back to the students," said Row.
With so much required training to be taught to the young Marines at MCT, the newly graduated instructors are subject to long work days.
The weather is another factor that makes this a tough job. Combat instructors are out and about no matter what the conditions are.
"The training will get accomplished regardless, unless of course, it is lightning. In that case, the safety of the students would have to be taken into consideration," Row explained. "As for the instructors, they can't show weakness to the young Marines by acting like the weather is affecting them."
Row knew he was heading into a demanding field, but being a combat instructor has benefits that make it worthwhile, such as special duty assignment pay, choice of station upon completion of the b-billet requirement. However, training others is one of his favorite benefits.
"Knowing that my Marines could end up in combat knowing everything I taught them is one of the biggest things I get out of this," said Row. "I highly recommend this field to anyone. The satisfaction of saying that you trained a Marine should be enough for anyone to make up their minds about it."
According to internet sources, this MOS was established to create parity between drill instructors and combat instructors. Accordingly, this MOS is earned and rewarded in a manner consistent with that of drill instructors.
For more information about this billet, see your career counselor or visit http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/soi/mcip.htm.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200463133950/$file/MCT2low.jpg
Pvt. Brandon M. Martin, student and Baltimore, Md., native, runs gear to his instructors after firing on the K-305 Weapons Range. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Michael P. Doyle
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200463134337/$file/mct6low.jpg
Pvt. Zachary L. Price, a student from West Palm Beach, Fl., and Pfc. Christopher N. Bee, a student from Atlanta, Ga., practice firing the M240G at the K-305 Weapons Range. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Michael P. Doyle
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/D847535236B51F2085256EA800606D84?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: MCAS New River
Story Identification #: 200463133314
Story by Sgt. Andrew W. Miller
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C. - (April 22, 2004) -- A former New River flightline mechanic recently began teaching basic ground combat skills to Marines arriving from recruit training.
Sergeant Guy A. Row, formerly of Marine Helicopter Training Squadron-302, completed the seven-week Marine Corps Combat Instructor Course on March 12 at Marine Combat Training aboard Camp Geiger to fulfill his "b-billet," or special duty assignment, as an MCT Marine combat instructor.
The decision to try out MCIC was easy to make, according to the Port St. Lucia, Fla., native.
"I didn't want to be a recruiter, so that was out of the question, and I had just bought a house, so the idea of moving to be a drill instructor was out," said Row. "Being an instructor at MCT seemed like an obvious choice to me."
Due to the variety of military occupational specialty backgrounds the instructors come from, the course is designed to refresh everyone in the basics and ensure they are all on the same page.
According to Row, anyone interested in the course can look forward to an extensive MCT-type experience, integrated with physical training; a week of endurance and obstacle courses; two weeks of Formal School Instructors Course at Camp Johnson; and four weeks of weapons systems training, live firing and hikes or "humps."
"In all, there are approximately 73 different items to learn with more than 60 being taught back to the students," said Row.
With so much required training to be taught to the young Marines at MCT, the newly graduated instructors are subject to long work days.
The weather is another factor that makes this a tough job. Combat instructors are out and about no matter what the conditions are.
"The training will get accomplished regardless, unless of course, it is lightning. In that case, the safety of the students would have to be taken into consideration," Row explained. "As for the instructors, they can't show weakness to the young Marines by acting like the weather is affecting them."
Row knew he was heading into a demanding field, but being a combat instructor has benefits that make it worthwhile, such as special duty assignment pay, choice of station upon completion of the b-billet requirement. However, training others is one of his favorite benefits.
"Knowing that my Marines could end up in combat knowing everything I taught them is one of the biggest things I get out of this," said Row. "I highly recommend this field to anyone. The satisfaction of saying that you trained a Marine should be enough for anyone to make up their minds about it."
According to internet sources, this MOS was established to create parity between drill instructors and combat instructors. Accordingly, this MOS is earned and rewarded in a manner consistent with that of drill instructors.
For more information about this billet, see your career counselor or visit http://www.lejeune.usmc.mil/soi/mcip.htm.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200463133950/$file/MCT2low.jpg
Pvt. Brandon M. Martin, student and Baltimore, Md., native, runs gear to his instructors after firing on the K-305 Weapons Range. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Michael P. Doyle
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200463134337/$file/mct6low.jpg
Pvt. Zachary L. Price, a student from West Palm Beach, Fl., and Pfc. Christopher N. Bee, a student from Atlanta, Ga., practice firing the M240G at the K-305 Weapons Range. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Michael P. Doyle
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/D847535236B51F2085256EA800606D84?opendocument
Ellie