By the NCO, for the NCO: The Marine Corps' new approach to suicide prevention

Photo By Cpl. Megan Murray | Sgt. Jason Murrey (left), the detainee operations non-commissioned officer-in-charge for Multi-National Force - West, and Sgt. Anthony Velasquez, an operations NCO with II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward), look over teaching materials before presenting the NCO suicide prevention course to several NCOs aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Sept. 1. Through the course, Murrey and Velasquez have been teaching the Marine NCOs on base how to become more effective and involved leaders.  

AL ASAD, IRAQ

08.27.2009

Story by Cpl. Megan Murray 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — "I'm going to be straight up with you all. This class is about three hours long. This is not just another brief. This is a training course."

Sgt. Jason Murrey, the detainee operations non-commissioned officer in charge for Multi-National Force - West, gives his straight-forward introduction to the Corps' new NCO suicide prevention course.

Murrey and fellow class instructor, Sgt. Anthony Velasquez, an operations NCO for the training section of II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group (Forward), have been training their fellow Marine NCOs aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, since Aug. 27, 2009.

When military suicide rates began to rise, the Marine Corps took action. Their new approach involves NCOs teaching their fellow NCOs how to recognize red flags in their Marines' behavior and deal with a situation, should one arise.

"This is not just a suicide prevention course," said Murrey. "This is also NCO training. We say NCOs are the back bone of the Marine Corps, and if we can rely on them to complete a mission, then we can rely on them to make changes in the Corps."

The course begins with a video depicting a realistic scenario of a lance corporal on a downward spiral toward suicide.

After the video ends, students are asked to identify what the NCO in the video did right and wrong, and what red flags he should have noticed. Much of the course relies on interaction and discussion among the group of NCOs present.

"The instructors asked us questions and really did their best to get us all involved," said Cpl. Eric M. Degenfelder, the maintenance management chief for II MHG (Fwd). "They wanted us to know they were serious about the course, and through their guidance, I believe a lot of the Marines walked away with a positive attitude."

Murrey said during the course, NCOs learn tools that help them more effectively take care of the Marines under their charge.

"Ultimately, NCOs need to be involved in the lives of their Marines in order to enhance their overall wellbeing," began Murrey. "I'd say many NCOs don't know what makes their Marines tick. Yes, our role is the mission, but ultimately, it is the wellbeing of our junior Marines."

Degenfelder said the course introduced a lot of unique concepts that he hadn't seen in suicide briefs before.

"Usually we just get a short [slide show] presentation, and we've had it so many times, I can almost predict exactly what each slide will say," Degenfelder recalled. "This time, the Marine Corps really mixed it up, and I think the new approach is really going to make a difference."

However, Murrey does have tips for first time students in the course.

"If you already know what's going on with your Marines, the training will be more productive for you," said Murrey. "Don't be afraid to ask questions and be willing to learn."

If all goes as planned, Murrey hopes his students will walk away understanding the misconception that seeking professional help will ruin your career is absolutely false. He also hopes to empower his peers to be better NCOs and give them the resources they need to help their junior Marines.

"All this is useless — all this time and energy — if the NCOs don't take action," said Murrey.

• Date Taken: 08.27.2009
• Date Posted: 09.26.2009 04:58
• Story ID: 39288
• Location: AL ASAD, IQ