thedrifter
06-24-04, 08:05 AM
Hitting more than just notes
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 20046243959
Story by Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Floto
CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan —(June 16, 2004) -- When most individuals think of a Marine Corps musician, they see a leatherneck holding a polished instrument who they believe has never been in the “mud and blood” like some Marines have.
However, most have not met Sgt. Jonathan P. Bley, an electric bass player for the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band who is also a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor trainer. Bley can get down and dirty with the best of them through his aptitude for developing Marines’ martial arts skills.
“Sergeant Bley really fires us up with MCMAP classes,” said Cpl. Forrest Wyble, French horn player with III MEF Band. “It is a break from regular (physical training).”
Bley recently graduated first in his class at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Trainer Course held at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center of Excellence in Quantico, Va. As a graduate of the IT course, Bley now has the authority to train more Marines as MCMAP instructors for III MEF and Marine Corps Bases, Japan.
“The school was extremely physical, but very academic at the same time,” said Bley, a Buffalo, N.Y., native. “The school maintained an intense focus on each of the disciplines of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program: physical fitness, mental discipline and character development.”
The physical fitness portion of the course involved numerous hours of physical training, mostly focusing on the new combat conditioning program, Bley said.
“We go out and run around in (flak jackets) and (camouflage utility uniforms) and then hit the deck and low crawl,” Bley said. “We would make abrupt stops and begin hand-to-hand (combat scenarios) in the middle of a run; the kind of stuff you would expect to do in a combat situation.”
To make it through the conditioning, the Marines in the course needed much more than physical endurance. They needed mental fortitude to push them beyond the pain and any limits they might have had, according to Bley.
“The mental discipline portion of the course mainly focused on the mental aspect of combat and how to develop a mindset that would enable you to survive in a combat situation,” Bley said.
After numerous drills, aimed at perfecting strikes, throws and kicks, the Marines took the time to reflect on the purpose of what they just pushed themselves through during the character development stage of the course.
These post-workout reflections helped forge the characteristics of courage under fire and dedication into the Marines, Bley added.
“The course has given me more direction and confidence in my leadership (abilities),” Bley said. “I am much more comfortable and effective getting in front of Marines and sharing my knowledge of MCMAP.”
Bley has been involved with MCMAP almost since it was first introduced, earning his tan belt while stationed aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in the fall of 2001.
He has been an instructor for nearly two years and has trained more than 200 Marines islandwide.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200462431118/$file/Release0299-2004-06low.jpg
CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- Sgt. Jonathan P. Bley conducts drills during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program class here June 23. Bley, a recent graduate of the Instructor Trainer Course at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center of Excellence in Quantico, Va., is an electric bass player in the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band. He has the authority to train Marines as MCMAP instructors. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Floto
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/A2A8919C1E1A788885256EBD00275DE7?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: MCB Camp Butler
Story Identification #: 20046243959
Story by Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Floto
CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan —(June 16, 2004) -- When most individuals think of a Marine Corps musician, they see a leatherneck holding a polished instrument who they believe has never been in the “mud and blood” like some Marines have.
However, most have not met Sgt. Jonathan P. Bley, an electric bass player for the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band who is also a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor trainer. Bley can get down and dirty with the best of them through his aptitude for developing Marines’ martial arts skills.
“Sergeant Bley really fires us up with MCMAP classes,” said Cpl. Forrest Wyble, French horn player with III MEF Band. “It is a break from regular (physical training).”
Bley recently graduated first in his class at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Trainer Course held at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center of Excellence in Quantico, Va. As a graduate of the IT course, Bley now has the authority to train more Marines as MCMAP instructors for III MEF and Marine Corps Bases, Japan.
“The school was extremely physical, but very academic at the same time,” said Bley, a Buffalo, N.Y., native. “The school maintained an intense focus on each of the disciplines of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program: physical fitness, mental discipline and character development.”
The physical fitness portion of the course involved numerous hours of physical training, mostly focusing on the new combat conditioning program, Bley said.
“We go out and run around in (flak jackets) and (camouflage utility uniforms) and then hit the deck and low crawl,” Bley said. “We would make abrupt stops and begin hand-to-hand (combat scenarios) in the middle of a run; the kind of stuff you would expect to do in a combat situation.”
To make it through the conditioning, the Marines in the course needed much more than physical endurance. They needed mental fortitude to push them beyond the pain and any limits they might have had, according to Bley.
“The mental discipline portion of the course mainly focused on the mental aspect of combat and how to develop a mindset that would enable you to survive in a combat situation,” Bley said.
After numerous drills, aimed at perfecting strikes, throws and kicks, the Marines took the time to reflect on the purpose of what they just pushed themselves through during the character development stage of the course.
These post-workout reflections helped forge the characteristics of courage under fire and dedication into the Marines, Bley added.
“The course has given me more direction and confidence in my leadership (abilities),” Bley said. “I am much more comfortable and effective getting in front of Marines and sharing my knowledge of MCMAP.”
Bley has been involved with MCMAP almost since it was first introduced, earning his tan belt while stationed aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego in the fall of 2001.
He has been an instructor for nearly two years and has trained more than 200 Marines islandwide.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200462431118/$file/Release0299-2004-06low.jpg
CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- Sgt. Jonathan P. Bley conducts drills during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program class here June 23. Bley, a recent graduate of the Instructor Trainer Course at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center of Excellence in Quantico, Va., is an electric bass player in the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band. He has the authority to train Marines as MCMAP instructors. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Floto
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/A2A8919C1E1A788885256EBD00275DE7?opendocument
Ellie