thedrifter
06-13-09, 07:29 AM
Shouldering weight to earn Green Belt
Marines earn Green Belt instructor tab, leadership
Lance Cpl. Michael A. Bianco
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa (June 12, 2009) -- Since 2000, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program has strengthened thousands of Marines' minds, bodies and spirits Corps wide. Recently, Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, began a course focused not only on improving the color of their MCMAP belts, but on giving them the skills to instill the ethos of "One Mind, Any Weapon."
Forty-four Marines and MCMAP instructor trainers from BLT 3/5 came together to conduct a Green Belt Instructor's Course May 18 to June 5 aboard Camp Hansen.
Throughout the three week course the Marines participated in a plethora of classes and activities. Aside from typical MCMAP events such as combat conditioning and grappling.
Marines attended classes that explained the roles of a martial arts instructor in MCMAP and the important aspects of conducting physical training.
According to Gunnery Sgt. Willy Carrion, company gunnery sergeant for Company I, 3/5 and chief instructor for the Green Belt Instructor's Course, teaching physical training in the course focuses on teaching the alternatives of maintaining weight and achieving physical goals.
In the training, an emphasis is placed on the Marines to learn how to grapple using proper techniques. According to course instructors, the goal of grappling is not just to beat the opponent, but to beat an opponent using the correct technique. Instructors must be able to identify what students are doing right and wrong in order to improve their proficiency in each move, which is a key element in becoming an instructor.
"Training future instructors is placed on a completely different level than training Marines for their next belt," said Carrion, a fourth degree black belt and a Puerto Rico native. "Just because you can fight doesn't mean you can train people to fight."
"There is a lot more to take into consideration when earning your instructor tab than when earning the next belt," Carrion added.
Before receiving their instructor tab, students of the course must pass a series of exams, which test them both physically and mentally. Marines take three written exams, based on the information they acquire from the daily classes. The future instructors must also complete the Explain Demonstrate Imitate Practice portion, which they conduct in front of their classmates. EDIP tests a combination of teaching skills critical to ensuring future MCMAP students get the most from their instruction.
When the written and practical application exams are completed, students are tested for physical endurance by completing the obstacle course three times within 30 minutes. Afterward, during the final portion of the exam, Marines must properly demonstrate all MCMAP techniques from tan belt to green belt level.
"As a non-commissioned officer it is necessary to go through this vigorous training in order to better one's self," said Cpl. Austin Ayres, a mortarman with Weapons Company, BLT 3/5 and a native of Morrison, Colo. "Everyone out here is an NCO or above, and as NCOs we must always be in the best condition to help out our Marines. This course forces so much knowledge into your head that when it's done and over with you have way more than just a tab to bring back to your Marines."
Ellie
Marines earn Green Belt instructor tab, leadership
Lance Cpl. Michael A. Bianco
CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa (June 12, 2009) -- Since 2000, the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program has strengthened thousands of Marines' minds, bodies and spirits Corps wide. Recently, Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, began a course focused not only on improving the color of their MCMAP belts, but on giving them the skills to instill the ethos of "One Mind, Any Weapon."
Forty-four Marines and MCMAP instructor trainers from BLT 3/5 came together to conduct a Green Belt Instructor's Course May 18 to June 5 aboard Camp Hansen.
Throughout the three week course the Marines participated in a plethora of classes and activities. Aside from typical MCMAP events such as combat conditioning and grappling.
Marines attended classes that explained the roles of a martial arts instructor in MCMAP and the important aspects of conducting physical training.
According to Gunnery Sgt. Willy Carrion, company gunnery sergeant for Company I, 3/5 and chief instructor for the Green Belt Instructor's Course, teaching physical training in the course focuses on teaching the alternatives of maintaining weight and achieving physical goals.
In the training, an emphasis is placed on the Marines to learn how to grapple using proper techniques. According to course instructors, the goal of grappling is not just to beat the opponent, but to beat an opponent using the correct technique. Instructors must be able to identify what students are doing right and wrong in order to improve their proficiency in each move, which is a key element in becoming an instructor.
"Training future instructors is placed on a completely different level than training Marines for their next belt," said Carrion, a fourth degree black belt and a Puerto Rico native. "Just because you can fight doesn't mean you can train people to fight."
"There is a lot more to take into consideration when earning your instructor tab than when earning the next belt," Carrion added.
Before receiving their instructor tab, students of the course must pass a series of exams, which test them both physically and mentally. Marines take three written exams, based on the information they acquire from the daily classes. The future instructors must also complete the Explain Demonstrate Imitate Practice portion, which they conduct in front of their classmates. EDIP tests a combination of teaching skills critical to ensuring future MCMAP students get the most from their instruction.
When the written and practical application exams are completed, students are tested for physical endurance by completing the obstacle course three times within 30 minutes. Afterward, during the final portion of the exam, Marines must properly demonstrate all MCMAP techniques from tan belt to green belt level.
"As a non-commissioned officer it is necessary to go through this vigorous training in order to better one's self," said Cpl. Austin Ayres, a mortarman with Weapons Company, BLT 3/5 and a native of Morrison, Colo. "Everyone out here is an NCO or above, and as NCOs we must always be in the best condition to help out our Marines. This course forces so much knowledge into your head that when it's done and over with you have way more than just a tab to bring back to your Marines."
Ellie