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thedrifter
08-23-03, 06:56 AM
Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification Number: 2003815181346
Story by Sgt. Joseph A. Lee



MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii(July 24, 2003) -- Green Belt Class 7-03 of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, which graduated from Regimental Schools July 25, demonstrated its skills for the students' unit leaders and other audience members at Dewey Square July 24.

The largest green belt class to ever graduate from Hawaii, Class 7-03 demonstrated for the audience what they learned throughout the 15-day course.

"We wanted to let the unit leaders get a feel for what their Marines have gone through, and what they will be bringing back to their units," said Staff Sgt. Jason Rossman, chief martial arts instructor trainer at Regimental Schools.

The Marines demonstrated body-hardening techniques, followed by a circuit course that included every major group skill from tan belt level through green belt level of martial arts training.

"The 12 different stations in the circuit course allow the students to quickly refresh and constantly train in the areas they have covered over the past two weeks," said Sgt. James Johnson, lead martial arts instructor trainer at the school.

After the circuit course, the students demonstrated the various different fighting styles and different weapons they trained with. The first bout featured two Marines battling with pugil sticks to demonstrate close combat techniques with a rifle and bayonet. The demonstration went on to include stabbing or jousting techniques, fist fighting, and the final ground-fight to show the students' abilities in grappling and sustained fighting abilities.

"These students will be guiding and acting as referees in their units, so their proficiency level needs to be understood by their commanders," said Johnson.

According to Rossman, the Regimental School here is a satellite school from the main Division School in Okinawa.

"In order to keep our units up to speed with the program here in Hawaii, it is imperative that green belt students can gain their instruction here on island," said Rossman. "If this school wasn't here, units would be forced to send students to Okinawa or California for their training."

The students, ready to test out and graduate the following day, came onto the field highly motivated to show off what they had learned. Some students were surprised at the level of training they had gained throughout the 15 days.

"When the course first started, it was extremely tiring and a bit repetitious," said Sgt. Jerry Carroll, ammunition chief with Combat Service Support Group 3. "As the course went on, though, my body got used to the pain, and I came out wanting more. The class kept the motivation level high the whole way through, so it wasn't hard to stay motivated."

Unlike many other green belt courses, the students of Class 7-03 experienced instructors with various backgrounds that allowed the students to learn extra skills while being trained in very different environments.

"The thing I enjoyed most from the course was the knowledge that our instructors were able to pass onto us. They gave us extra instruction from different fighting styles that provided a variety of counters to moves we learned," said Sgt. Derrannal McDonald, hygiene noncommissioned officer for CSSG-3. "Another advantage to learning from our instructors was their utilization of other training environments like the pool, doing water aerobics. The water instruction was tough, but I think it added a nice touch to the overall training. I think every Marine should take this course."

The instructors at the Regimental School teach belt advancement and additional training every day at Dewey Square from 6-8 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., for anyone who wishes to work on skills or belt advancement.

"We invite anyone of any rank to come out and train, it will only make you stronger," said Rossman. "To attend a green belt course, students must be corporal or above, must be qualified to the gray belt level, be screened by a medical officer and have all pay-grade level PME accomplished."

Sempers,

Roger
:marine: