Photo By Staff Sgt. Bruno Bego | Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael J. Sency (left), a religious program specialist with...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — A chaplain is the only service member not allowed to carry a weapon, even when deployed to hazardous areas. But he or she does not venture out into harm’s way alone.
Standing by his or her side is a religious program specialist, which is an enlisted sailors who is there to assist and, more importantly, protect the chaplain.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael J. Sency, an RP with 2nd Marine Logistics Group, has participated in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program throughout his Navy career to be able to better protect his chaplain, if the situation were to arise.
“Every time you are personal security for someone, I think it is nice to know a little more about hand-to-hand combat,” said Sency, a Kokomo, Ind., native. “So, learning martial arts definitely helps out.”
But now, he can do a little more than help himself – he can now officially teach other Marines and sailors MCMAP. Sency spent close to three weeks at Camp Geiger, N.C., for the MCMAP Instructor course. He graduated Aug. 1.
“Now that it’s done, I loved it,” said Sency. “It was great training. While I was going through it, it was painful. It’s definitely a learning experience.”
Sency stood next to his 35 classmates as they received their new MCMAP belts with the well-recognized and hard-earned instructor tab.
The tab is a piece of tan fabric, sewed on the left side of a MCMAP belt, used to identify instructors.
The course consisted of 10 hours of close-combat fundamentals, 10 hours of offensive and defensive rifle and bayonet techniques, 10 hours of offensive skills, nine hours of defensive skills, 11 hours of unarmed restrains and six hours of offensive and defensive ground fighting.
“I have been pushed to my limits, and this taught me if I dig down deep I can pretty much accomplish anything,” he said.
Sency’s accomplishment is not just limited to becoming a martial arts instructor, he is also a rare sight to see, according to Staff Sgt. Victor D. Velez, an instructor trainer with the 2nd MLG.
“It is not common to see an RP who is qualified to teach martial arts in the Marine Corps,” Velez said. “I’ve only met one when I was in Hawaii. They are out there, it is just rare to see them.”
Now that Sency has completed the course, he will return to 2nd MLG.
“My first goal is to heal,” said Sency, with a slight chuckle. “Then I’ll probably start a course for the sailors within my command pretty soon. They’re all excited.”
Sency can instruct up to a brown belt, which is the fourth of the five belts of MCMAP, for both Marines and sailors. Each new belt requires different techniques, knowledge and physical fitness, but all levels require intensive training and dedication for weeks at a time.
“I hope it motivates fellow RPs to go out there and experience other things that not only the Navy but the Marine Corps has to offer,” he said.
Sency added he plans on returning to the instructor’s course to earn his black-belt instructor tab in the near future, but for now he is focused on helping others learn the basics and intermediate techniques of MCMAP.
| Date Taken: | 08.03.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 08.03.2012 15:08 |
| Story ID: | 92645 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 647 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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