thedrifter
01-17-09, 06:25 AM
Martial arts instructors needed
Published: Friday, January 16, 2009 2:38 PM CST
Lance Cpl. M. C. Nerl
Combat Correspondent
The Combat Center’s Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School is preparing to host a program available to all units aboard the base. The goal of the program is to teach Marines who meet the requirements to be martial arts instructors in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
The MAI program, which is commonly called the green belt instructor course, is a 15-day training evolution pre-screened Marines are sent to on Temporary Additional Duty to complete, said Staff Sgt. Joel Daniel, a black belt instructor with Headquarters Battalion.
“The school is three weeks of training,” said Daniels, who comes from Hermosa Beach, Calif. “The minimum requirements are that the Marine has a first class PFT [Physical Fitness Test], a grey belt or higher and have the proper PME [Professional Military Education] completed.”
“The minimum rank for the class is corporal or higher and they must be able to negotiate the o’course [obstacle course] once when the class begins,” he added. “After all the requirements are met they have to be medically screened. They cannot have a shoulder injury within the last two years and they are not eligible if the applicant has suffered a concussion in the last six months.”
Daniel said the training is very important to individual Marines not only because of what they will achieve physically and how it will benefit their career, but, more importantly, because it does more to benefit their fellow service members.
“They teach all three of the disciplines during the class,” he said. “They teach physical, of course, mental and character disciplines. Along with those, they teach the teacher how to teach. After they are qualified they will be giving instruction and teaching other Marines after they complete the course.”
Marines who actually teach the course, such as Gunnery Sgt. Nick Ivey, who is a black belt instructor-trainer, know much about misconceptions of the class and what truly goes on during its execution.
“The dropout rate is nearly 60 percent in the course run here at the satellite school,” said the Kite, Ga., native.
Ivey added the dropouts are not mostly because of injuries like some would think, many of the students have issues with the mental and academic issues as well.
“Unforeseen problems come because the course is mentally challenging as well,” added Ivey. “There are a lot of hours of classroom instruction and learning that go into the certification for the MAI course. We lose people to that now and then because they are not able to give classes or speak in front of others and instruct them properly.”
Gunnery Sgt. Kevin E. Graham, who teaches the classes with Ivey, said one of the many important parts of the classes is so Marines aboard the base better themselves and their units by completing the course.
“It is important for Marines to go through these courses; they learn a lot and they can go back to their units and help train our fighting forces better,” said Graham, a Hebron, Ind., native. “Units don’t always spare the Marines because they lose them on TAD for three weeks.”
He added units will understand more when their Marines return from the training more of a well-rounded Marine. They will be better prepared, more experienced in many ways, and an overall better leader of marines. The new instructors will also be fully capable to pass on knowledge to others around them.
The next course, which is hosted by MCCES will begin Jan. 26. For more information call 830-6240.
Ellie
Published: Friday, January 16, 2009 2:38 PM CST
Lance Cpl. M. C. Nerl
Combat Correspondent
The Combat Center’s Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School is preparing to host a program available to all units aboard the base. The goal of the program is to teach Marines who meet the requirements to be martial arts instructors in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
The MAI program, which is commonly called the green belt instructor course, is a 15-day training evolution pre-screened Marines are sent to on Temporary Additional Duty to complete, said Staff Sgt. Joel Daniel, a black belt instructor with Headquarters Battalion.
“The school is three weeks of training,” said Daniels, who comes from Hermosa Beach, Calif. “The minimum requirements are that the Marine has a first class PFT [Physical Fitness Test], a grey belt or higher and have the proper PME [Professional Military Education] completed.”
“The minimum rank for the class is corporal or higher and they must be able to negotiate the o’course [obstacle course] once when the class begins,” he added. “After all the requirements are met they have to be medically screened. They cannot have a shoulder injury within the last two years and they are not eligible if the applicant has suffered a concussion in the last six months.”
Daniel said the training is very important to individual Marines not only because of what they will achieve physically and how it will benefit their career, but, more importantly, because it does more to benefit their fellow service members.
“They teach all three of the disciplines during the class,” he said. “They teach physical, of course, mental and character disciplines. Along with those, they teach the teacher how to teach. After they are qualified they will be giving instruction and teaching other Marines after they complete the course.”
Marines who actually teach the course, such as Gunnery Sgt. Nick Ivey, who is a black belt instructor-trainer, know much about misconceptions of the class and what truly goes on during its execution.
“The dropout rate is nearly 60 percent in the course run here at the satellite school,” said the Kite, Ga., native.
Ivey added the dropouts are not mostly because of injuries like some would think, many of the students have issues with the mental and academic issues as well.
“Unforeseen problems come because the course is mentally challenging as well,” added Ivey. “There are a lot of hours of classroom instruction and learning that go into the certification for the MAI course. We lose people to that now and then because they are not able to give classes or speak in front of others and instruct them properly.”
Gunnery Sgt. Kevin E. Graham, who teaches the classes with Ivey, said one of the many important parts of the classes is so Marines aboard the base better themselves and their units by completing the course.
“It is important for Marines to go through these courses; they learn a lot and they can go back to their units and help train our fighting forces better,” said Graham, a Hebron, Ind., native. “Units don’t always spare the Marines because they lose them on TAD for three weeks.”
He added units will understand more when their Marines return from the training more of a well-rounded Marine. They will be better prepared, more experienced in many ways, and an overall better leader of marines. The new instructors will also be fully capable to pass on knowledge to others around them.
The next course, which is hosted by MCCES will begin Jan. 26. For more information call 830-6240.
Ellie