Estonians learn basics of MCMAP

Photo By Cpl. Michael Curvin | Gunnery Sgt. Charles R. Stephens, future operations chief with Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan, referees two Estonian soldiers fighting each other in the standing position, Sept. 4. The language barrier between instructor and students was overcome with the use of repetition of verbal and visual commands.  

HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

09.11.2009

Story by Cpl. Michael Curvin 

2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade

HELMAND PROVINCE, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — "Estonians!" yells the instructor, "Get into the pit!" A comrade, serving as a makeshift interpreter, prompts two soldiers to step into the ring.

"No punches to the head!"

After the whistle blows, padded fists fly, stopping occasionally when a fighter commits an infraction. The penalty for a foul is 10 pushups.

Six soldiers from the Estonian army completed training in the first level of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, Aug. 30.

In the weeks leading up to their testing day, the Estonians completed more than 25 hours of instruction with Gunnery Sgt. Charles R. Stephens, future operations chief with Marine Expeditionary Brigade — Afghanistan and MCMAP black belt instructor-trainer.

With limited English spoken by some of the Estonians, Stephens used a universally understood teaching technique — repetition and hand signals.

"We teach using E-D-I-P," said Stephens, a native of Marietta, Ga. "We explain the technique, we demonstrate it, we imitate it step by step and we let them practice."

Stephens noticed few differences between the Estonians and the Marines, who he is accustomed to teaching. He believes that the Estonians have the proper mental attitude exhibited by soldiers worldwide.

"They've got that killing spirit steeped inside of them," Stephens said. "As far as having that killing mindset, they got it."

Stephens tested the limits of each Estonian soldier, ensuring they all received the proper martial arts training and enhancing their overall fitness level.

"It's up to the instructor to see what fitness level they're at and try to push everybody," Stephens said. "I try putting myself in their position. It would be pretty strange trying to learn from somebody [when] you have to have a translator. I'm impressed with them."

Stephens finishes every class with an exercise instilling solidarity amongst his students, emphasizing unit cohesion.

"Normally we finish with squad sit-ups or squad pushups," Stephens said. "We finish with a team event to bring it back together."

Lessons learned by the Estonians included teamwork, mixed martial arts techniques and physical discipline. The lessons learned will benefit them as they head out for their own missions in Helmand province.

The MCMAP class for the Estonians began while Stephens conducted MCMAP classes for the Marines of MEB-Afghanistan. He started to notice a few Estonian faces hanging around his area of instruction. Each day, the Estonian audience grew.

"I think what was neat," Stephens said, "was just one or two asking to come, so I just made a motion to them and sure enough, the next day, with somebody that could speak English, they asked me if they could come, and I said 'Yeah.'"

From that time, more and more Estonian soldiers came and their enthusiasm piqued the interest of other soldiers. Soon Estonians made up half of Stephens' class.

"It's good," said Estonian army Cpl. Margo Turro, a rifleman with the Estonian Company, International Security Assistance Force. "Somebody spread the word. We came out the first evening and they spoke to us about what they did and then we started to (gain) some interest."

During basic training in the Estonian army, soldiers receive limited instruction in hand-to-hand combat techniques. Their training does not use the same techniques employed by the MCMAP program, according to Turro.

Turro, along with five other Estonian soldiers, passed his tan belt test, Aug. 30. The group received their tan belts and challenge coins from Brig. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, commanding general of MEB-Afghanistan, in a graduation ceremony Sept. 6.

"I'm very proud of your training," Nicholson said. "The enemy has no idea what they're in for."

• Date Taken: 09.11.2009
• Date Posted: 09.11.2009 02:43
• Story ID: 38576
• Location: HELMAND PROVINCE, AF