thedrifter
07-22-09, 06:30 AM
Corps cares about you, your family
7/21/2009 By Sgt. Judith Carver , Marine Corps Base Quantico
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —Stress, anger management and domestic violence are just some of the things with which the Family Advocacy Program aboard Quantico can assist service members and their families.
The Communication Platoon, Instructor Battalion from the Basic School became the first group of Marines to complete an entire series of life skill classes provided by FAP over a span of three months. The platoon completed their training earlier this month.
Gunnery Sgt. Ryan E. Hayes, the communications chief explained, “The whole purpose [for the course] is preventive maintenance, and that’s what led us to use the Family Advocacy Program.”
Roughly 50 Marines, the majority of which are noncommissioned officers, comprised Communication Platoon.
“At first they were hesitant, but after the first class they started to look forward to it,” said Capt. Ahmad J. Martin, Communication Platoon commander.
One Marine, Sgt. Ricardo A. Candelario, a radio supervisor, said, “Prior to actually going to the classes I thought, OK, I don’t need this stuff.”
Candelario’s opinion changed shortly after the classes, “I thought it was worth it and I recommend all Marines go through the course. Without a doubt, it helped with camaraderie.”
The main mission of FAP is to prevent domestic violence and child abuse.
“We offer counseling and intervention, and we support commanders in holding offenders accountable,” said Rebecca L. Childress, the prevention and education specialist for Quantico’s family advocacy program. “We also provide prevention and education.”
“Efforts to learn more about themselves and bring a greater sense of balance to their lives,” said Childress.
The classes were tailored to benefit the Marines.
According to Childress, units are required to do a yearly Family Advocacy overview speaking on prevention of domestic and child abuse.
“A healthy Marine is a Marine who is balanced. They give 100 percent at work and home and they take care of themselves,” said Childress. “These classes give Marines an opportunity to talk about family life and how to deal with stressors in a healthy way.”
One of the most successful parts of the training was having a session that included spouses.
“The communication class between spouses really helped with me and my wife,” said Cpl. David J. Underwood, the assistant operations chief. “We haven’t had an argument since.”
The classes go a long way, even beyond the home.
“I’m in a much better mood at work. I always have a smile on my face now,” said Underwood. “And morale seems at its high.”
“This training brought an even stronger sense of esprit de corps among an already close knit group of Marines,” said Childress.
“I really enjoyed working with this group of Marines. We developed a mutual trust that allowed the training to be a success,” said Childress. “I feel confident they know they have a great support team here at Quantico that cares a great deal about them and their families.”
Martin was presented with a certificate for his platoon and Hayes was received a leadership award. All the Marines who participated received a certificate as well.
“We will look for new ways to keep FAP engaged with our platoon and see what else they have to offer,” said Hayes.
Active duty, veterans and their family members can enroll the life skill classes given at Little Hall. The program coordinate visits your unit and are accommodating with their times.
“We work for the Marines and are on their time,” explained Childress. “The Marine Corps does care about families.”
To enroll in a course, contact FAP at 703-784-2570.
Correspondent: judith.carver@usmc.mil
Ellie
7/21/2009 By Sgt. Judith Carver , Marine Corps Base Quantico
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —Stress, anger management and domestic violence are just some of the things with which the Family Advocacy Program aboard Quantico can assist service members and their families.
The Communication Platoon, Instructor Battalion from the Basic School became the first group of Marines to complete an entire series of life skill classes provided by FAP over a span of three months. The platoon completed their training earlier this month.
Gunnery Sgt. Ryan E. Hayes, the communications chief explained, “The whole purpose [for the course] is preventive maintenance, and that’s what led us to use the Family Advocacy Program.”
Roughly 50 Marines, the majority of which are noncommissioned officers, comprised Communication Platoon.
“At first they were hesitant, but after the first class they started to look forward to it,” said Capt. Ahmad J. Martin, Communication Platoon commander.
One Marine, Sgt. Ricardo A. Candelario, a radio supervisor, said, “Prior to actually going to the classes I thought, OK, I don’t need this stuff.”
Candelario’s opinion changed shortly after the classes, “I thought it was worth it and I recommend all Marines go through the course. Without a doubt, it helped with camaraderie.”
The main mission of FAP is to prevent domestic violence and child abuse.
“We offer counseling and intervention, and we support commanders in holding offenders accountable,” said Rebecca L. Childress, the prevention and education specialist for Quantico’s family advocacy program. “We also provide prevention and education.”
“Efforts to learn more about themselves and bring a greater sense of balance to their lives,” said Childress.
The classes were tailored to benefit the Marines.
According to Childress, units are required to do a yearly Family Advocacy overview speaking on prevention of domestic and child abuse.
“A healthy Marine is a Marine who is balanced. They give 100 percent at work and home and they take care of themselves,” said Childress. “These classes give Marines an opportunity to talk about family life and how to deal with stressors in a healthy way.”
One of the most successful parts of the training was having a session that included spouses.
“The communication class between spouses really helped with me and my wife,” said Cpl. David J. Underwood, the assistant operations chief. “We haven’t had an argument since.”
The classes go a long way, even beyond the home.
“I’m in a much better mood at work. I always have a smile on my face now,” said Underwood. “And morale seems at its high.”
“This training brought an even stronger sense of esprit de corps among an already close knit group of Marines,” said Childress.
“I really enjoyed working with this group of Marines. We developed a mutual trust that allowed the training to be a success,” said Childress. “I feel confident they know they have a great support team here at Quantico that cares a great deal about them and their families.”
Martin was presented with a certificate for his platoon and Hayes was received a leadership award. All the Marines who participated received a certificate as well.
“We will look for new ways to keep FAP engaged with our platoon and see what else they have to offer,” said Hayes.
Active duty, veterans and their family members can enroll the life skill classes given at Little Hall. The program coordinate visits your unit and are accommodating with their times.
“We work for the Marines and are on their time,” explained Childress. “The Marine Corps does care about families.”
To enroll in a course, contact FAP at 703-784-2570.
Correspondent: judith.carver@usmc.mil
Ellie