Photo By Pfc. James Frazer | CAMP LEATHERNECK, Islamic of Afghanistan - Staff Sgt. Gabriel Potter, one of the...... read more read more
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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines pride themselves on maintaining high standards, training continuously to improve their skills. Whether living at an established base in the United States, sailing on a Navy aircraft carrier, or conducting counterinsurgency operations in the sands of a foreign country, Marines are constantly sharpening their capabilities.
Jackson, Miss., native Gunnery Sgt. Christopher McDougal is working to ensure the Marines of Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division (Forward), are every bit the skilled warriors the title U.S. Marine implies.
The Manpower section operations chief is a second degree black belt instructor in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and is leading a group of five instructors to teach a class of 30 Marines the knowledge and techniques each of them needs to reach the next belt, or level, of the program.
“For meritorious boards and promotions, MCMAP belts can put you that one step above the next person,” said McDougal, a 10-year veteran MCMAP instructor. “For me, I want to make sure the Marines in my class are getting more than just a belt. I am going to make sure they walk away knowing not just the techniques for their belt level, but are prepared to continue training for that next belt.”
The battalion’s training shop first asked McDougal to become the lead instructor for the battalion’s martial arts program when he began requesting gear for a MCMAP course he was starting for his shop. McDougal, recognized for his passion for martial arts and teaching, quickly accepted the offer and was appointed the chief instructor for the class.
“I have an outstanding group (of instructors). I enjoy MCMAP and I love fighting, but even more than fighting, I love to teach others about martial arts,” said McDougal. “It’s very fulfilling to teach someone something they may need to use later. I love doing everything I can to teach someone about martial arts and everything involved in it.”
McDougal says it’s the passion for teaching shared by all of the instructors that enables them to effectively teach such a large group of Marines.
“I love teaching others MCMAP,” said Sgt. Quinton King, the adjutant noncommissioned officer in charge of the Manpower section, and one of the instructors working with McDougal. “It’s a lot of fun to come out with the Marines and my mentor, Gunny McDougal. You can never learn too much, especially where martial arts are concerned. That’s one of the great things about teaching -- you’re still learning new things even while you’re helping others learn.”
Both McDougal and King said they believe learning new things is a big part of what MCMAP is all about. It’s not just about the techniques or becoming physically stronger, but becoming mentally strong as well.
“For me fighting is all about strategy,” said McDougal. “If you don’t have strategy in a fight, you’ll get beat every time. You should never go into a fight without a plan. MCMAP helps Marines focus on the things they don’t normally think about. It also shows Marines they can still push even harder when times are stressed and they’re tired.”
It is this aspect of martial arts that McDougal says he loves the most, and he’s not the only one. Several other martial arts enthusiasts said they believe a fight is a battle of wills as much as a battle of physical bodies, if not more so.
“It’s not all about the physical,” said Staff Sgt. Gabriel Potter, the assistant logistics officer for the battalion and another black belt instructor handpicked by McDougal. “You could be the strongest guy in the world, but once you’re tired you become the weakest guy if you stop thinking and don’t use the techniques properly. A Marine needs to be prepared to continue fighting even when they’re dead tired.”
The instructors all agreed that this lesson is one of the greatest things MCMAP, and martial arts in general, can teach Marines. They all know it’s an invaluable trait that can save lives and win battles. It’s a passion and level of motivation McDougal and his fellow instructors try to bring to every one of their students.
“Seeing someone go from ground zero to the finished product is a great feeling,” McDougal said. “It’s the feeling of being the one responsible for giving someone something they may need in order to survive, especially in a combat environment. I love teaching; I love giving it my all -- all of the instructors do -- otherwise we wouldn’t be a part of this.
| Date Taken: | 04.18.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.20.2011 14:08 |
| Story ID: | 69046 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 141 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, Marines Deployed Prep Body, Mind, by PFC James Frazer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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