Photo By Lance Cpl. Javarre Glanton | Sgt. Reginald Berry, chief martial arts instructor trainer at Leatherneck Square,...... read more read more
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MCRD PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. -- Martial Arts Instructor Course, Class 3-11, kicked off at Leatherneck Square May 6.
The 25 students must undergo three weeks of training, equivalent to 127 hours, to earn the tan tab on their Marine Corps Martial Arts Program belts and the right to pass on their skills and knowledge.
“When they graduate the course, we want them to have a better understanding of why we have the program and how it came about,” said Staff Sgt. Maurice Cannon, staff noncommissioned officer in charge of Leatherneck Square. “When they get back to their units, they can teach their Marines more about leadership. It’s another tool for their tool box.”
An average day for the Marines begins at 6 a.m. and usually lasts until 5 p.m., Cannon said.
“We put in some long days,” Cannon said. “The curriculum mostly deals with a lot of periods of instruction the Marines must be able to retain due to the fact the course is built upon the order – [Marine Corps Order] 1500.59”
The class of 25 students started their first day of training May 6 at Leatherneck Square under the tutelage of martial arts instructor trainers there.
Combat conditioning exercises are conducted every day to ensure the Marines are in a high state of fitness.
Their schedule usually follows a pattern of two hours of combat conditioning in the morning, four to five hours of classroom instruction and two hours of belt performance and sustainment.
Throughout the course, students learn the importance of the three disciplines of MCMAP – character, mental and physical.
“When you look back in our history, it’s all about our fallen brethren,” Cannon said.
“You look at all the Medal of Honor recipients and see how they never gave up, and that’s what the three disciplines are built on.”
The students also go through extensive principles and classes on leadership and implementing one’s own natural leadership skills.
“Every Marine has [his or her] own leadership style. This course expands on that and they learn how to become better leaders,” Cannon said.
Though the course is renowned for its physically challenging curriculum, the student must become well-rounded to succeed.
“In order to complete the course, you can’t just be physically strong,” Cannon explained. “Mental strength is also very important because you can have all the muscles in the world but it won’t mean anything if you end up quitting on yourself.”
The Marines are expected to graduate the course with a new skill set and a better understanding of the foundation and purpose of MCMAP.
“When I’m teaching a course, the most important thing I tell them is to be able to present the program,” Cannon said. “Anyone can get out there and do the moves but you have to make a Marine want to learn the program.”
| Date Taken: | 05.13.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 05.13.2011 16:42 |
| Story ID: | 70339 |
| Location: | PARRIS ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 558 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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