Okinawa Staff Academy Marine named Corps' instructor of the year

Photo By Master Sgt. Bryan Peterson | Fisher helps students with the Marine Air Ground Task Force Tactical Warfare Simulator at the III Marine Expeditionary Force Combined Arms Staff Trainer on Camp Hansen April 5.  

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JAPAN

04.13.2007

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By Lance Cpl. Bryan A. Peterson
III Marine Expeditionary Force PAO

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- Only nine months after becoming an instructor at the Okinawa Staff Noncommissioned Officers Academy, Gunnery Sgt. Brent E. Fisher earned the title of Enlisted Professional Military Education Instructor of the Year for the entire Marine Corps.

Fisher, the chief instructor of the Academy's Advanced Course, teaches staff NCO leadership skills to gunnery sergeants and staff sergeants who have been selected for promotion. Fisher's fellow instructors nominated him as instructor of the quarter. Then the academy named him instructor of the year on Okinawa, and in February he took Corps-wide honors. Fisher said he was surprised by the announcement.

"I am humbled, more than anything, considering the quality of people who are instructors at the other five academies," Fisher said. "I felt I did a good job but didn't expect this at all. I've only been doing this for nine months, so it's a great honor."

Every January, instructors from all five of the Corps' staff academies are among the Corps' best and are reviewed at the Training and Education Command in Quantico, Va., according to Master Gunnery Sgt. Joel D. Schultz, the Okinawa SNCOA deputy director.

"One Marine from each academy is represented every year," Schultz said. "The competition is strong because those Marines who are screened to become instructors are top performers in their fields."

Schultz said Fisher's short time as an instructor was not a factor in the decision to have him represent the academy.

"In the academy's opinion, he had the best package," Schultz said. "His nine months was not a factor because he has that can-do attitude. He has proven that he has what it takes to be an outstanding instructor, so teaching his peers far outweighs his time here."

Before becoming an instructor, Fisher was assigned to Communications Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. He was approached by his sergeant major about the position.

"I never had any intention of becoming an instructor when I was told about the job," he said. "But my sergeant major told me that the job was a good fit for me. It's a testament to my command's insight and experience because they are strong at knowing who is good at what and what anyone can excel at."

Fisher said the guidance he received when he first started teaching made him the instructor he is today.

"The academics chief, deputy director and a former instructor here are the people who have inspired the way I teach," he said. "The first thing I had to do when I got here was go into a small classroom where they made me practice over and over again, critiquing me in every aspect."

One of Fisher's current students, Gunnery Sgt. Earl W. Ross, is one of many students in Fisher's class who say he has a unique style of teaching that bolsters the enthusiasm and participation in the class.

"He makes the learning environment extremely professional, but exciting," Ross said. "You can tell he looks forward to work every day because he comes in with his high-energy approach."

Gunnery Sgt. Jeffrey T. Sundermier, the academy's operations staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, worked alongside Fisher.

"When he came here, he jumped right in because we were hurting for personnel," he said. "He was the reason I was able to move up in my position because of his work ethic. Sooner or later, an instructor will become a chief instructor, kind of like moving up in the ranks. But he definitely deserved his position and the award."

What motivates Fisher most is his chance to give his peers the knowledge they need to advance in their careers.

"Teaching them for the past year has given me the confidence and them what they need to be better Marines," he said. "I guess to do this job you have to have a passion for it. That's what it comes down to."

• Date Taken: 04.13.2007
• Date Posted: 04.13.2007 16:03
• Story ID: 9912
• Location: CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, JP