U.S. Marine Corps Educators' Workshop
I was invited to participate in the U.S. Marine Corps Educators' Workshop in Quantico, Virginia during July 11-15, 2011. During this week, I gained valuable insights into the process of how Marine Corps officers are made. I witnessed first hand the kind of training and education that Officer hopefuls must endure to earn their place as leaders of Marines. I was introduced to the advanced professional training Marine Officers receive at Command and Staff College and Expeditionary Warfare School.
The Marine Corps workshop acknowledges educators who have influenced the lives of their new Second Lieutenants who have elected to serve their country during a time of war. The Marines recognize that some educators have been influential in the developing character of these young men and women. Therefore, the workshop is to thank educators and demonstrate how these new Marines will become leaders.
This workshop has given me insights into strengthening my own teaching and professional development.
Major General Ronald L. Bailey sent the official invitation to participate.
USMC Educators' Workshop Presentation. I have created a presentation to share with students my workshop experience and to teach principles. This opportunity provides meaningful teaching options for rhetoric, critical thinking, marketing, management, and leadership. I'm able to focus on different teaching aspects to meet the needs of my different classes. Access the presentation here. |
Staff Sgt. Joshua Bell is the District 12 recruiting officer who inviting me to participate in the workshop through the nomination of my student 2nd Lt. Sam Wood. SSgt. Bell accompanied me throughout the workshop. He and Sgt. Freddy Herrin were waiting for me at the Reagan National airport at 1:30 a.m. when my flight was nearly seven hours late.
Both SSgt. Bell and Sgt. Herrin served for four years as security officers in the Marine Corps Presidential Marine One squad, President George W. Bush's Marine helicopter. Nearly every day they had direct contact with President Bush as he traveled in Marine One. It is an honor to meet and get to know this exemplary young Marine. At the time of the workshop, he is a father of a two-year old daughter and a two-month old son. |
Officer Candidate School. Before candidates commissions into the Marines, they must successfully complete Office Candidate School, which is equivalent to the enlisted boot camp. OCS is when candidates determine if they can be Marines. Yes, the training is brutal, but I've learned the determination the instructors have in wanting the candidates to succeed. In fact, I was surprised to learn that the sergeant instructor is not allowed to use profanity when correcting a candidate. The candidates learn better who they are and what they can do. OSC's focus begins to develop future Marine's physical, mental, and character qualities.
The candidates are not allowed to use personal pronouns. They refer to themselves as "this candidate." They're beginning to see beyond themselves and to feel connected to others around them. As a teacher, I learned that students need to have challenges to help them grow and discover who they are. My classes tend to be rigorous and demanding, yet students do measure up and are successful. They experience significant accomplishments. But I also readily acknowledge my appreciation and confidence in them and their goodness. |
The Basic School (TBS). Once candidates have completed OCS training, they are commissioned into the USMC. They now begin their officer training in The Basic School. This six-month process only takes place at Quanitco, so all Marine officers come through "the crossroads of the Marines." The focus continues to be on physical, mental, and character development while turning individual Marines into officers and responsible leaders.
I have long realized that one of my basic roles as a teacher is to also provide students with leadership training and experience. Nearly all of my classes have integrated leadership discussions, activities, and projects. |
USMC Martial Arts. We were able to watch a demonstration and participate in USMC Marine martial arts which is part of TBS officer training. In the late 1990s, the USMC developed a new martial arts program for all Marines. These martial arts take elements from numerous different styles and types and adapts them to meet the needs of a soldier. The USMC
martial arts is a combination of the best of many different, even competing, styles. However, when joined together, the divergent methods become a strong new concept. The motto of the USMC martial arts is "One Mind--Any Weapon." The three-legged philosophy is based on physical, mental, and character development. As a teacher, I need to be able to use any method, approach, or lesson to meet each students' multiple levels and needs. |
The Parable of the Pencil. To demonstrate the character development of USMC martial arts, the retired lieutenant colonel third degree black belt officer shared the parable of the pencil.
Someone Superior is Holding You. Marines recognize that an all-powerful, all-knowing Being is aware of and a part of the lives of Marines. You Need Sharpening. To be effective Marines, they will become sharpened through their difficult trials and experiences. The Best is Within You. To become the Marines they need to be, men and women of honor, they must rely on their inner core values and morals. You Will Make Mistakes. All make mistakes, but Marines can change and make right through erasing undesirable traits and developing strong characteristics. Make Your Mark. Marines are to make their marks on individuals, their families, communities, county, world, and the Corps. |
Marine University. The USMC University provides professional degrees for officers. One division of the university is the War College. Its program develops strategic thinkers, military strategists, prepared joint war leaders, and principled/morally-sound leaders.
The three chief elements of knowledge, leadership, and esprit dominate the anticipatory curriculum. They use the past to consider how the world changes. For instance, they study the U.S. Civil War to find connections with Iraq or how the Macedonians can help prepare us for Afghanistan. As a teacher I appreciate their balance of a foundation knowledge, strategic thinking (case studies, scenarios) , and direct, practical and theoretical application. |
USMC Vision & Strategy 2025. "While the Marines are currently performing superbly in every clime and place, they must also devote attention to tomorrow's threats and opportunities." The Marines pride themselves on being ready with little or no warning to meet challenges during challenging times. Part of that preparation comes from being well-trained, broadly educated, and properly equipped. And just as important, the Marines focus on strategic foresight. They don't predicte what will happen, but they anticipate what will happen. The Marines were prepared for the aftermath of 9/11 because they had anticipated significant conflicts in the Middle East. The Vision & Strategy 2025 outlines what Marine strategists anticipate and prepare for possible eventualities.
As a teacher, I also need to anticipate and look forward to the challenges and opportunities my students will have and prepare them for the future rather than remaining in the past. |
HMX-1. We had the opportunity to fly in a CH-46 helicopter. This is the same helicopter as the President's Marine One, except it is used for secret service, White House staff, and the press corps. If the President needs to travel anywhere, he can't travel by car because it would close the D.C. highways, so he goes by Marine One. The President's has a white top, and of course all the luxuries. These same helicopters have been in operation since the 1960s.
As a teacher, I also need to have as my primary focus to serve others and help meet their different needs. |
National Museum of the Marine Corps. The national museum celebrates the history of the USMC. Through the incredible museum, we catch a glimpse of the different eras of the Marines from their beginnings in the Revolutionary War through today's conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Each gallery provides learning and artifacts to explain roles of the Marines and individuals as they have served their country.
Significant attention has been paid to details such as using active Marines to cast the life-size individual soldiers in the exhibits. Some rooms, such as the one below representing the Korean War, are temperature controlled to suggest similar conditions for the Marines. As a teacher, it is important for me to assist students in understanding the past of the discipline such as a focus on classical rhetoric in who they are now and the challenging future before them. |
Arlington Cemetery Sunset Parade. We were able to attend the USMC Sunset Parade at Arlington National Cemetery. It was a moving experience watching the USMC Bugle and Drum Corps and the Rifle Corps march before the immense Iwo Jima Memorial. The precision of these units is both impressive and inspiring. I kept thinking of the blessings of unity and the sacrifice and goodness of today's endangered soldiers and their families as well as those millions of lives given for this country. This has been a powerful experience. As a teacher, I also need to help my students feel less solitary and more a part of a rich learning and growing community--that they need to assist others as they mutually reach seemingly impossible goals. |