RS Denver, Phoenix educators learn about the Corps

Photo By Sgt. Michael Ito | Rachel Couch, a reporter for KYMA-11, NBC Television News in Yuma, Ariz., is directed toward the Bayonet Assault Course dummies by a drill instructor, after her helmet covered her eyes during the exercise.  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

03.03.2011

Story by Pfc. Michael Ito 

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego     

SAN DIEGO - High school administrators, teachers, counselors and media from Recruiting Stations Denver and Phoenix participated in a week-long synopsis of Marine Corps recruit training during the Educators Workshop Monday through today.

The educators started their first day of the workshop being greeted by the legendary Marine Corps drill instructors.

When the buses came to a stop in front of the famous yellow footprints, the drill instructors boarded the buses in a fury and made their presence known by yelling orders at the educators.
After giving the educators commands to get off the buses and lining them up on the yellow footprints, the drill instructors paced up and down the rows, barking commands and ensuring the educators snapped to the proper position of attention.

Following several minutes of controlled chaos, the drill instructors stopped yelling and took the time to congratulate the educators for surviving the first few minutes of Marine Corps recruit training.
The educators were then taken on a tour of the rest of the receiving process by their drill instructor guides.

“Having the educators aboard the depot is a good thing,” said Sgt. Jaime Soto, drill instructor, Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion. “It helps expand their minds and lets them see recruit training. It shows them that we aren’t creating killing machines, but instead instilling morals and values into the young Marines.”

The educators attended classroom briefs describing the entire enlistment process, including recruiting, joining the Marine Corps, boot camp graduation, the Fleet Marine Force and Marines’ lifestyles.
They also visited various training sites around the depot. They watched demonstrations of water survival training at the depot Swim Tank, saw Marines tackle the Confidence Course and got a class in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.

Educators were also invited at the end of the first day to take part in the Bayonet Assault Course. On this course, educators maneuvered through obstacles, crawled through tunnels and navigated a rope bridge. The whole time they were suited in flak jackets and Kevlar helmets, while carrying rubber M16-A2 service rifles with mock bayonets attached to engage training targets when they reached the end of the course.

“I never realized the demands placed on the young men and women of the Marine Corps,” said James McGown, a high school counselor for Sidney High School in Sidney, Neb. “But one of the best things I’ve seen is the camaraderie developed among fellow Marines. The sense of belonging and benefits available to Marines really make this such an opportune organization.”

The educators also visited Weapons Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., to witness firing and field training.

Another stop on the tour was Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., where educators talked with a group of Marines who came from the educator’s home area. They also viewed a static display of aircraft.

Educators leaving the depot today said they now have a better understanding of the Marine Corps.

“I’ve always had a high respect for the military,” said Jayne Pilarski, a media specialist at Paradise Valley High School in Paradise Valley, Ariz. “The sense of value is so high here, and Marines give you the motivation to give something a try and never quit.”

• Date Taken: 03.03.2011
• Date Posted: 03.03.2011 12:13
• Story ID: 66416
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US