thedrifter
01-14-09, 06:46 AM
Teachers attending Marine Corps workshop
By Antrenise Cole
Times Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 8:21 p.m.
Seven area teachers are participating in the annual U.S. Marine Corps Educator Workshop at Parris Island, S.C., and getting first-hand experience in the training routine recruits go through to join the Marines.
The purpose of the workshop is to show educators what it takes to become a Marine, so they will know what military service provides for students and be able to give an explanation when asked by interested students.
Southside High School teachers Denisse Lumpkin and Penny Tolbert, Etowah High School teacher Patricia Owensby, Gaston School teacher Suzanne Hollen and principal Miria King-Garner and Sardis High School teachers Lisa Hicks and Arlena Wright left Tuesday to begin training and will return late Friday.
During the trip, the teachers are taking part in a variety of activities and have the opportunity to see all the stages of Marine Corps training.
“We don’t want them to just see what we do; we want them to get involved,” said Sgt. Emanuel Melton, public affairs chief for the Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Montgomery. “We don’t want to just talk about what we do. We want to show them and let them experience it.
“We feel they could get a better mindset of what’s going on when they come to the island and see young men and women who want to become Marines,” Melton said. “When people ask them about the Marines, they can tell them what they learned and saw when they were here, instead of what they’ve always been told.”
Melton said the trip starts with the teachers getting the typical Parris Island introduction for recruits.
“They’ll get rushed off the bus and told to stand on the yellow footprints by the drill instructors,” he said. “(The drill instructors) won’t be holding back any punches. It will be a true-life experience.”
Melton said the teachers take part in an obstacle course called “the crucible” and even get to fire the M-16 service rifle on a rifle range — after receiving instructions, of course.
Depending on operation and time schedules, teachers might get to see aircraft land. They also will take part in martial arts and a confidence course.
Teachers will have lunch with recruits from their area.
“Having lunch with the recruits is rare, because when you get to recruit training, the only time you talk to the outside world is through letters,” Melton said. “You don’t get to talk on the phone or Internet. All you have is your letters. To be able to sit down and talk to somebody face-to-face outside of your squad mate and drill instructor is very unique.”
On Friday, educators will get to witness a graduation ceremony and visit a museum to learn more on the history of the Marine Corps.
The workshop originally was designed for guidance counselors, Melton said, because they are who recruiters usually deal with when visiting schools.
“We wanted to give the experience to everybody because we realized that guidance counselors aren’t the only ones who talk to students, but also principals, teachers and coaches,” he said. “We even opened it up to members of law enforcement and anyone who is an influencer or educator on the high school level.
“We want to inform and dispel any myths about the Marine Corps. We want to give them the tools to help kids make the best informative decision with their careers and their futures.”
Ellie
By Antrenise Cole
Times Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 8:21 p.m.
Seven area teachers are participating in the annual U.S. Marine Corps Educator Workshop at Parris Island, S.C., and getting first-hand experience in the training routine recruits go through to join the Marines.
The purpose of the workshop is to show educators what it takes to become a Marine, so they will know what military service provides for students and be able to give an explanation when asked by interested students.
Southside High School teachers Denisse Lumpkin and Penny Tolbert, Etowah High School teacher Patricia Owensby, Gaston School teacher Suzanne Hollen and principal Miria King-Garner and Sardis High School teachers Lisa Hicks and Arlena Wright left Tuesday to begin training and will return late Friday.
During the trip, the teachers are taking part in a variety of activities and have the opportunity to see all the stages of Marine Corps training.
“We don’t want them to just see what we do; we want them to get involved,” said Sgt. Emanuel Melton, public affairs chief for the Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Montgomery. “We don’t want to just talk about what we do. We want to show them and let them experience it.
“We feel they could get a better mindset of what’s going on when they come to the island and see young men and women who want to become Marines,” Melton said. “When people ask them about the Marines, they can tell them what they learned and saw when they were here, instead of what they’ve always been told.”
Melton said the trip starts with the teachers getting the typical Parris Island introduction for recruits.
“They’ll get rushed off the bus and told to stand on the yellow footprints by the drill instructors,” he said. “(The drill instructors) won’t be holding back any punches. It will be a true-life experience.”
Melton said the teachers take part in an obstacle course called “the crucible” and even get to fire the M-16 service rifle on a rifle range — after receiving instructions, of course.
Depending on operation and time schedules, teachers might get to see aircraft land. They also will take part in martial arts and a confidence course.
Teachers will have lunch with recruits from their area.
“Having lunch with the recruits is rare, because when you get to recruit training, the only time you talk to the outside world is through letters,” Melton said. “You don’t get to talk on the phone or Internet. All you have is your letters. To be able to sit down and talk to somebody face-to-face outside of your squad mate and drill instructor is very unique.”
On Friday, educators will get to witness a graduation ceremony and visit a museum to learn more on the history of the Marine Corps.
The workshop originally was designed for guidance counselors, Melton said, because they are who recruiters usually deal with when visiting schools.
“We wanted to give the experience to everybody because we realized that guidance counselors aren’t the only ones who talk to students, but also principals, teachers and coaches,” he said. “We even opened it up to members of law enforcement and anyone who is an influencer or educator on the high school level.
“We want to inform and dispel any myths about the Marine Corps. We want to give them the tools to help kids make the best informative decision with their careers and their futures.”
Ellie