Photo By Lance Cpl. Jack Chen | U.S. Marines with various units conduct dynamic warm up exercises before a Martial...... read more read more
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NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, Va.— The consensus among practitioners of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, and Muay Thai is the desire to push yourself past your comfort zone. A thirst for success. As challenges become a part of life, a strong relation develops where difficulty fosters growth.
1st Lt. Thomas R. Grover, a deputy staff judge advocate with Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command, came to a speedy realization that encouraging adversity molds him into a better leader for tomorrow's battles while attending Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructors course 23-18.
Grover, a native of Houston, Texas, is a commissioned officer with the U.S. Marine Corps waiting to attend The Basic School. There he will learn the skills needed to lead Marines as a company grade officer. Upon completion of the MAI course, Grover’s new certification will place him a step above his peers and establish a strong foundation for his military career. He knew it would be a challenge, but little did he know he would get more than he bargained for.
“At first I was hesitant with performing techniques, but throughout the course I realized I need to execute at full speed.” Grover expands, “As Staff Sgt. Riviera, Martial Arts Instructor Trainer, always states, ‘pain retains’ and it's true! When you feel an aggressor’s full force you will remember what you need to do in order to defend yourself.”
The MAI course is a physically demanding three-week period where Marines are challenged to learn all five belt levels of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. The instruction period totals 150.5 training hours where students perfect the disciplines of each belt level while simultaneously leading their peers. Initially, they perform static techniques for proper footing and execution. Getting the fundamentals right can be the difference between accidentally hurting yourself or neutralizing the aggressor. As the course continues, the Marines practice full force on one another to simulate a realistic scenario.
“When you do the basic techniques over and over you don't see the practicality,” Grover continues, “...but when it is sped up and someone is coming at you with a weapon you can visually see how dangerous a situation can become.”
MCMAP is centered around the phrase, “One mind, Any weapon.” This motto signifies the trifecta of physical, mental, and character attributes an ethical warrior must possess to judge the appropriate use of force in a given situation. The Martial Arts Center of Excellence evaluates each instructor course after months of preparation to see if the planned criteria meets Marine Corps standards for developing effective MAIs. Marines attending the course are taught safety procedures and MCMAP history to ensure every student becomes a well rounded instructor no matter their civilian or military occupation, unit, and background.
“I knew I needed to increase my leadership capabilities. I was timid during the beginning but there were occasions where I had to teach and lead physical training sessions. I got more comfortable with it, and the leadership I have learned on this course is going to translate to any job I have in my career,” Grover remarks, “When you go through rigorous events like this, you start to build connections. Through the physical challenge we grow together and establish a whole new kind of camaraderie.”
Martial Arts Instructors course 23-18 ended with a strenuous culminating event. On the last day the Marines were evaluated on weapons of opportunity techniques, hand-to-hand combat, and pugil sticks; all while running with over 90 lbs of gear to each test location. The event is hosted to simulate the unpredictability of close combat by challenging the Marines physical capabilities and mental fortitude during adverse circumstances.
“During anything tough, it is a little easier because you aren't doing it alone,” Grover recalled, “Sgt. Dexter, Martial Arts Instructor Trainer, stated ‘When anything gets difficult, think about the time and effort people have put into you.’ Whether it's your family, teachers, or MAITs. They dedicated time to mold who you are, so quitting is not an option because it's selfish. It's not all about you.”
Although the Marines spend numerous hours performing combatives and perfecting their knowledge on various belt levels and corresponding techniques, they are still capable of failing if they don’t pass the culminating event. Nevertheless, Grover and the other students managed to rely on each other and execute techniques successfully until completion. Afterwards, the Marines of MAI course 23-18 were awarded a belt above their current belt level and most importantly a tab. The brown MAl tab is worn around a Marines belt while in uniform and can only be worn by those who've earned it. This brown strip may seem like another article of uniform, however to the Marines it demonstrates the blood, sweat, and growth it takes to achieve the title MAI.
Grover advises, “Be quick to say yes and take advantage of mentors. There is always something to learn from everyone you come across and there will always be something to gain when taking on a challenge.”
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 03.07.2023 09:40 |
| Story ID: | 439633 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Hometown: | HOUSTON, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 3,446 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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