Leadership attends Expeditionary Warfare School aboard Camp Foster

Photo By Staff Sgt. Danielle Prentice | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN– Maj. Heath Ruppert guides a class discussion in an Expeditionary Warfare School class Sept. 21 at the College of Distant Education and Training building aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. This class provides education through practical application and critical thinking. Marines are given situations and must explain their course of action to their peers. They then receive feedback about why or why not their idea or plan would work. Ruppert is the MAGTF planner officer with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and instructor of the EWS class.  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

09.20.2017

Story by Lance Cpl. Danielle Prentice 

Marine Corps Installations Pacific

In an unassuming building aboard Camp Foster, Marines are learning the skills necessary to keep pace with an ever-changing battlefield Sept. 21 at the Expeditionary Warfare School in the College of Distant Education and Training building.

The EWS trains company grade officers to serve in an expeditionary environment, according to Scott Uecker, the Okinawa regional chief instructor with the EWS Distance Education Program.

The course focuses on the foundation, doctrine and operations of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Through these classes Marines gain a thorough understanding of the MAGTF, which is made up of four core elements: the command element, ground combat element, aviation combat element, and logistics element.

“We need officers who are better prepared mentally for the unknown than those in the past,” said Uecker. “We need all of our Marines to be able to think through situations from many angles. The philosophy is to arm the officer with the fundamentals, but also to prepare them to apply those fundamentals in a confusing or unclear situation.”

The class features an interactive learning approach. This gives the Marines a chance to talk out different scenarios and learn which tactics would succeed and which ones needed to be revisited.

“Marines who take advantage of the EWS educational opportunity enhance their ability to think critically and solve complex problems in any environment,” said Maj. Heath Ruppert, the MAGTF planner officer with Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and instructor of the EWS class. “There is nothing better than discussing our warfighting profession and learning with Marines.”

Each class has Marines from different military occupational specialties, giving Marines the chance to learn from each other, as well as the instructors.

“During this class, Marines have the chance to intermingle with MOSs they don’t work with on a daily bases,” said Capt. Stephen Kwiatkowski, the staff secretary with Marine Corps Installations Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan, and a student in the class. “Each Marine brings a unique perspective. So, when you are given situations, you can talk about it and see it from different angles.”

This course teaches Marines to not only fight wars, but also how to prepare alternate resolutions to combat and how to help restore order once the smoke clears.

“The United States, the Marine Corps and junior Marines depend on us, the senior enlisted and officers in charge,” said Ruppert. “EWS provides the opportunity to gain an understanding of the MAGTF’s capabilities. They provide a unique capability to Marines, allowing them to operate across the spectrum of conflict and humanitarian efforts. The phrase ‘there is no better friend or no worse enemy,’ still applies today. This course provides students with the critical thinking skills and tools needed to employ MAGTF’s in any circumstance they may be called to serve.”

Warfare has progressed with time, and in turn, warfighters must be up to speed with the era of new and rapidly changing battlefields. Whether it be cyber, on land, or at sea, Marines must be prepared.

“The goal is not to teach them what to think, but rather how to think,” said Ruppert. “In an increasingly complex global environment; our ability to think critically about capabilities and emerging problems will ensure our Marine Corps has leaders, at all levels, prepared to solve any problem with innovative solutions.”

• Date Taken: 09.20.2017
• Date Posted: 10.16.2017 00:48
• Story ID: 251699
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP