Photo By Cpl. Elizabeth Case | Cpl. Jose Gonzales, student with Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Martial Arts...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marines with various units from II Marine Expeditionary Force earned their Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor certification, July 27, 2015, aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C.
After a 15-day course packed with physical challenges, students with Martial Arts Instructor Course 205-15 found growth on both a personal and professional level, according to Sgt. Paul Flores, a student in the course and a combat engineer with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, Combat Logistics Regiment 2.
“(This course teaches you) to be a better Marine as a whole,” Flores said. “The whole course taught us a lot about leadership, as well as nutrition and wellness. They taught us how to be physically better and mentally better. Overall, it’s a whole Marine concept that goes into this course and it helps you further enhance what you already know, or it helps teach you what you don’t know.”
As they progressed through the course, the students learned the importance of teamwork and pushing beyond personal limits.
“No matter where you go in the Marine Corps, you always have a team,” said Flores. “You have to learn how to work as a team so you can get through anything. Before (the course)I was less likely to push myself as hard, because I didn’t really need to, but now I know that I have to push myself. The (training) puts us through mental and physical fatigue so we can better enhance our team cohesion.”
Ultimately, the Marines earned the title of MAI, and are better prepared to lead other members of their units, according to Cpl. Melissa Apodaca, a student in the course and wrestler for the All-Marine Wrestling Team with Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
“I believe it is important for our Marines to have a set of close combat skills that could help save their or a fellow Marine’s life someday,” said Apodaca. “This training doesn’t let you worry about yourself, it makes you worry about your brothers and sisters as well. Not only am I here for my own wishes to train Marines in MCMAP, but now also to not let my team down and stay strong. We all have sacrificed so much for each other, and to quit now is pointless. I will teach my students that no matter what your gender, height or whatever, you can accomplish anything.”
The Marines are required to undergo a series of evaluations before graduating, including instruction skills, values and a test of their current martial arts skill levels.
“It’s important for us to be evaluated so we can teach our own Marines,” said Flores. “We will have to evaluate (our Marines) on how to do it properly and make sure that they’re doing all the techniques the right way, so when a combat situation comes up, they’ll be better prepared in a physical aspect.”
On the last training day, after completing a grueling six-hour physical training event to tie together everything they’ve learned throughout the course, the Marines finally earned the tab which will be worn on their martial arts belt, signifying they are an instructor.
"The final training event helps us become better MAIs because it helps you know yourself and improve yourself as a person, a Marine and a leader,” said Apodaca. “Not only am I going to walk away from this course with my instructor tab, but also with more brothers.”
| Date Taken: | 07.27.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.29.2015 11:04 |
| Story ID: | 171410 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Marines build teamwork, leadership skills, become Martial Arts Instructors, by Cpl Elizabeth Case, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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