Marine on Okinawa helps others overcome fear of heights

Photo By Cpl. Shelby Shields | Marines watch as Cpl. Matthew M. Woody, a helicopter rope suspension tactics master instructor trainer for the Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, prepares Lance Cpl. Stephanie Pupkiewicz during rappelling operations recently at the Jungle Warfare Training Center.  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

02.04.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Kentavist Brackin 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

Cpl. Matthew M. Woody regards being chosen to go to the Helicopter Rope Suspension Training Masters Course as one of the bigger surprises of his time as a Marine, especially considering he "has never been a fan of heights."

But, Woody didn't let his fear of heights stop him.

Woody, now a helicopter rope suspension tactics master instructor trainer for Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2005 to be an infantryman.

Woody knew nothing of fast roping, rappelling or special patrol insertion and extraction methods before attending the HRST Masters course.

The course is most commonly taught by the III MEF SOTG on island and is run quarterly, according to Gunnery Sgt. Robert E. Frederick, a HRST master instructor trainer for SOTG.

The first week of training helps build confidence and proficiency before Marines move on to helicopter operations, said Woody.

During that time, training focuses on teaching students how to rig a tower for basic military rappelling and fast roping, the logistical and safety procedures involved and how to teach Marines the fundamentals of military rappelling.

During the last week of the course, students learn how to properly rig several Marine helicopters for fast roping, rappelling and Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction rigging operations.

Woody recalled one of the most difficult tasks he endured was rigging rope to the helicopters with open wounds on his hand.

"You're doing nothing but pulling knots and ropes and it breaks blisters on your hands," said Woody.

One of the student's final practical applications of the techniques learned includes securing their course instructors in a harness to ensure they know the proper safety procedures.

Woody makes sure he never forgets what he learned from the course by constantly participating in unit training and operations for instructor sustainment.

To stay sharp, he teaches units rappelling and fast-roping techniques during training operations at the Jungle Warfare Training Center and during SPIE rigging training, said Woody.

According to Woody, one of the greatest rewards of his job is, "watching people overcome their fears during their training."

Regarding his own dislike of heights, Woody said, "The fear is still there. I don't like it but I push through. It's good training. It's fun to do this training from a tower. From the cliffs, it's sexy and from a helicopter, it's just great."

• Date Taken: 02.04.2010
• Date Posted: 02.04.2010 23:58
• Story ID: 44943
• Location: OKINAWA, JP