RECRUITING STATION SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- Local teachers, counselors and principals of Recruiting Station San Francisco's educational community recently got a rare taste of what Marine Corps recruit training is like at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, June 16-20. Following a warm welcome of barked orders from the Marine Corps drill instructors, the first two minutes of Marine Corps recruit training was finally over for these local Bay Area educators.
Unlike regular recruit training, an exasperated sigh of relief filled the room as the receiving drill instructor calmly instructed them to look down and pick up the card on the table in front of them. "Congratulations, you have just completed the first two minutes of Marine Corps boot camp," said Sgt. John Lucero, a drill instructor for 3rd Battalion, Mike Company and one of the two drill instructor escorts for the educators throughout the week.
The Educator's Workshop is an annual week-long-inside look at not only Marine Corps recruit training but also Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar so that educators can get the chance to interact with fleet Marines as well.
"I have seen new Marines walking through my school when they get back from boot camp, and having experienced this trip myself, I will now look at these young Marines with an entirely different perspective," reflected Josie Alvite, counselor, James Logan High School, Union City, Calif. "I will always make an effort to shake their hands and say thank you from now on, which is something I never did before."
The workshop is a chance for recruiters, from each Marine Corps recruiting station, to invite 40 teachers, counselors and various other educational influencers to see what the Marine Corps is all about. Each Marine Corps recruiting station conducts the trip once a year.
On Monday, educators started the week off with a "welcome aboard" dinner where they are briefly introduced to all the Marines who make the workshop happen. Colonel Angie Salinas, 12th Marine Corps District commanding officer, welcomed them and gives them a brief synopsis of what to expect over the next few days.
Tuesday morning started with a "real-life" introduction to the receiving company followed by a tour of the recruit training regiment's swim tank and obstacle course. For lunch, the educators ate with recruits from their area.
"The lunch with the recruits was the highlight of the trip for me," said Sharon Hope, counselor at James Logan High School. "My only wish is that we also got the chance to eat with recruits at the crucible. That way we can talk with recruits who are in the beginning stages of boot camp, as well as the end, so we can gauge the transition for ourselves."
On Wednesday, the educators traveled to Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Camp Pendleton to get an eye-witness-look at the crucible. They also got a hands-on experience in marksmanship training through the use of the Instructional Simulated Marksmanship Trainer (ISMT). The ISMT is followed by a trip to the rifle range to see recruits actually firing.
Wednesday concluded with a short stop at Camp Delmar to see Assault Amphibian Vehicle School and a demonstration of the AAVs in action.
Thursday the educators traveled to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Educators got the chance to conduct a question-and-answer session with a handful of the Miramar Marines, who represent some of the occupational specialties that the Marine Corps offers. Next they traveled to the flight line to see Marine Corps aviation up-close.
"I loved the air wing, I could have spent all day talking with Corporal Showen, the avionic tech," said Hal Roa, teacher, El Molino High School, Sebastopol, Calif. "For a twenty-one year old, he was very, very knowledgeable about his job. I was amazed at how knowledgeable all the Marines were."
The Emblem Ceremony, which concluded Thursday's tour, historically marks a moment of silence and tears from both Marine recruits and spectators alike. For it is here that the recruits are first recognized as having earned the title Marine, and where they will first pin on the Eagle, Globe and Anchor.
Friday morning the educators joined the families and friends of the graduating recruits for the Morning Colors Ceremony followed by recruit graduation.
"The graduation was very impressive...the entire week was very impressive," said Michael D. Husser, career coordinator, De Anza High School, Richmond, Calif. "My favorite part of the week was the core values classes at the crucible. I like the honesty and straight forwardness of the communication between the recruits and the drill instructors. I think it really helps these young recruits define who they are."
"I had a lot of fun this week, and I will definitely recommend this trip to my colleagues," said Lynn Stockinger, career counselor, Livermore High School, Livermore, Calif. "I think this kind of education is very beneficial for us to learn in order better serve our students."
"In twenty-eight years this is the most informative and well balanced seminar I have ever been to," said Dennis Jensen, visual arts education, Middletown Unified School District, Cobb Mountain, Calif. "My favorite part of the trip was seeing the final result - the transformation. I will recommend this trip to my entire staff."
CAPTION INFO
Photo by Sgt. David J. Hercher
Rozena Copeland and Doris Childress with RS Sacramento take part in one of the crucible events during the educators workshop.
Photo by Sgt. David J. Hercher
San Francisco and Sacramento area educators watch as recruits try to master a Crucible station during an educators workshop.
Josie Alvite gets some love from LCpl. Molly, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego mascot. Alvite was one of more than 40 educators from Sacramento and San Francisco who visited the Depot for the educators workshop.