Photo By Sgt. Arianna Lindheimer | U.S. Marines spar during the culminating event of a Martial Arts Instructor (MAI)...... read more read more
Subscribe
Kaneohe Bay, HI – “All I felt was fatigue from head to toe,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Joseph C. Zerener, a 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment amphibious assault vehicle crew member, 3rd Marine Division, recalling training during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course. “I didn’t know when it would be over, but I knew there was nothing stopping me now.”
Zerener, a native of North Bergen, New Jersey, earned the title of Martial Arts Instructor in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program after completing the certifying course on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 6. Upon graduation, he was also selected to receive the Gung-Ho award, an award distinguishing the most motivated Marine of the course.
MCMAP is a synergy of mental, character, and physical disciplines, and in concert with Marine Corps leadership principles, training in these three disciplines enhances the Marine both on and off the battlefield. MAI courses certify Marines to instruct and monitor MCMAP training and advance Marines in the program, distinguishing their levels of experience with different colored belts.
The course prepares the future instructors through intense physical and mental training. Zerener explained that he wanted to become an MAI to help prepare his Marines for times of close-quarter combat. Zerener expressed he was glad to have had motivating instructors that inspired him throughout the course.
“I wanted to be an [MAI] to instill the combat mindset [in] Marines and the character, physical and mental development of Marines which are MCMAP disciplines,” said Zerener.
Zerener enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 20 to seek discipline and purpose and make a name for himself. Hailing from North Bergen, New Jersey, Zerener faced challenges such as homelessness and poverty.
“Serving has been a goal of mine since I was younger,” said Zerener. “Being homeless since my sophomore year of high school set me back so I ended up enlisting as soon as I could.”
After completing Marine Corps Boot Camp, Marine Combat Training, and his Military Occupational Specialty training, Zerener received orders for Marine Corps Base Hawaii. He takes every opportunity that the Marine Corps offers him, including the MAI course, to further his experience and challenge himself.
“All of the instructors have their individual strengths on what made them great teachers and leaders,” said Zerener. “Taking away certain skills from each one of them is helping me mold what kind of MAI I’m striving to be.”
Throughout the course, Zerener learned to never cut corners and push past his limits for the betterment of the team. The foundation of these elements is what he feels encompasses the quintessential MAI, and he plans to enable these foundational elements as an instructor.
“Holding Marines to the MCMAP standard is what I look forward to the most: making sure Marines are taught the correct way and making sure they earn what they are trying to achieve,” said Zerener. “My goal is to leave no Marine untrained while improving their three disciplines of MCMAP with tough, realistic training, team work, and high levels of physical fitness.”
| Date Taken: | 05.31.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 06.01.2022 12:48 |
| Story ID: | 421907 |
| Location: | CAMP SMITH, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 125 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, MARFORPAC Marine Completes MAI Course, by Sgt Arianna Lindheimer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
