thedrifter
10-06-06, 10:47 AM
Marines are made at recruit training, but at Marine Combat Training Battalion, combat instructors mold them into riflemen. This job could not be done without the female combat instructors at MCT, School of Infantry (East), who help shape both female and male Marines as they attend training.
The female combat instructors have the same roles and responsibilities as their male counterparts and have the same prerequisites to get the special duty assignment, said Sgt. Maj. George J. Weis, sergeant major for MCT.
"I need some hard-charging female instructors for female students to look up to," said Weis.
Female instructors make up 25 percent of the instructors at SOI, but that leaves them spread very thinly over the different training companies, said Weis. Ideally, if female instructors made up 40 percent of the instructors it would better serve the Marines training at MCT. Then there could be four female instructors for each company.
The instructors work more than 100 hours a week, with little time off during a cycle of Marines, said Weis. But, the job is a very gratifying.
"All of it's worth it because it's a very rewarding job," said Sgt. Kristin S. Jochums, a combat instructor with Company G, MCT. "Hopefully I will be able to give them a good impression of what a female Marine is."
Not only do the Marines get to help shape and pass on their knowledge to the future leaders of the Marine Corps, they also get to work with a very tight knit group of Marines, said Jochums.
Although the job is physically demanding, instructors get used to the pace of their job and the long hours and hikes become easier after time, said Jochums.
"The hikes are just a walk in the park now," said Jochums. "Now, it's like 'here we go on another stroll.'"
Becoming a combat instructor can also help a Marine's career, said Jochums. If a Marine is a corporal, they will receive 100 points on their composite score for sergeant. There are also six slots available per year for meritorious staff sergeants.
Marines who want to become combat instructors must meet the requirements specified by most special duty assignments, said Weis. These include having at least three years left on contract being financially responsible, a noncommissioned officer or above and have a stable family.
"I would like to think that all my students know I love them," said Jochums. "They are the reason why I am here. It's what I reenlisted for. Everyday when I wake up I'm excited about my job."
The female combat instructors have the same roles and responsibilities as their male counterparts and have the same prerequisites to get the special duty assignment, said Sgt. Maj. George J. Weis, sergeant major for MCT.
"I need some hard-charging female instructors for female students to look up to," said Weis.
Female instructors make up 25 percent of the instructors at SOI, but that leaves them spread very thinly over the different training companies, said Weis. Ideally, if female instructors made up 40 percent of the instructors it would better serve the Marines training at MCT. Then there could be four female instructors for each company.
The instructors work more than 100 hours a week, with little time off during a cycle of Marines, said Weis. But, the job is a very gratifying.
"All of it's worth it because it's a very rewarding job," said Sgt. Kristin S. Jochums, a combat instructor with Company G, MCT. "Hopefully I will be able to give them a good impression of what a female Marine is."
Not only do the Marines get to help shape and pass on their knowledge to the future leaders of the Marine Corps, they also get to work with a very tight knit group of Marines, said Jochums.
Although the job is physically demanding, instructors get used to the pace of their job and the long hours and hikes become easier after time, said Jochums.
"The hikes are just a walk in the park now," said Jochums. "Now, it's like 'here we go on another stroll.'"
Becoming a combat instructor can also help a Marine's career, said Jochums. If a Marine is a corporal, they will receive 100 points on their composite score for sergeant. There are also six slots available per year for meritorious staff sergeants.
Marines who want to become combat instructors must meet the requirements specified by most special duty assignments, said Weis. These include having at least three years left on contract being financially responsible, a noncommissioned officer or above and have a stable family.
"I would like to think that all my students know I love them," said Jochums. "They are the reason why I am here. It's what I reenlisted for. Everyday when I wake up I'm excited about my job."