Impacting the Next Generation

CAMP H.M. SMITH, HI, UNITED STATES

05.25.2017

Story by Lance Cpl. Sandra Garduno 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

Inspiration is contagious. Inspired by her instructor, one Marine Major chose to do the same.
For the last two years, U.S. Marine Maj. Christina R. Henry has been an instructor with the Expeditionary Warfare School Distance Education Program (EWSDEP).
EWSDEP provides officers and staff noncommissioned officers (SNCO) with career level professional military education and training in command and control, combined arms operations, war-fighting skills, tactical decision-making, naval operations, and Marine Air-Ground Task Force expeditionary operations.
While all Marine instructors strive to teach and mentor, Henry received recognized for going above and beyond. On May 25, 2017, she earned the Major General, Thomas S. Jones Award, which recognizes performance by distance educators.
Through her instruction, she has influenced her students in powerful ways, according to a Marine who took her class.
“She wanted to impact the next generation of Marine officers and [SNCOs]," said Master Sgt. Steven A. Zales, a former EWSDEP student. "So she takes great pride in teaching us and seeing when that light bulb goes on.”
Henry said the pride in consummate professionalism has guided her for more than 10 years.
“I must truly say that I was inspired by my EWS instructor and I think I probably was inspired by others early on and was starting to kind of get the itch to teach or to want to instruct others," Henry said. "But I also have a passion for mentorship, which the program allows us to be able to do."
Those she has mentored recognize her passion as well.
“She takes every Marine, every student and makes that her priority...and that makes her a unique teacher, and then makes her a unique mentor,” said Capt. Melissa S. Mocello, a mentee of Henry. “So it goes back to the listening thing. If you don't listen, then you don't care -- and she cares. That's why she listens and that's why she does what she does.”

• Date Taken: 05.25.2017
• Date Posted: 07.20.2017 11:37
• Story ID: 237763
• Location: CAMP H.M. SMITH, HI, US