MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- Nearly 60 educators from the Midwest took part in a Marine Corps Educators’ Workshop in southern California, April 30 – May 4, to learn how Marines are made.
The Recruiting Station Kansas City and Oklahoma City educators and key influencers from across all parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri attended the workshop to better understand the transformation process in becoming a United States Marine. They visited Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
The workshop demonstrated to teachers, coaches and other student influencers how the Marine Corps makes Marines, wins our nation’s battles and develops quality citizens.
During the workshop, Marine Corps drill instructors gave the educators a taste of what 12 weeks looks like, starting with the infamous yellow footprints.
The educators were able to participate in events such as the Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and the Bayonet Assault Course to give them the hands-on experience. They were also given opportunities to conduct the Leadership Reaction Course at MCB Camp Pendleton, where recruits are given little resources and have to rely on teamwork to accomplish challenging obstacles.
Benjamin Mauk, a history teacher and football coach at Glendale High School, in Springfield, Missouri, said his experience during the workshop was “nothing short of amazing,” and that he admired the leadership and mentorship the Marine Corps provides men and women.
“It was a lot of fun just to see what recruits go through,” Mauk said. “Especially all the discipline and mentorship they get and how it sets them up for the rest of their lives. I feel much safer knowing that we have Americans who are willing to go through this.”
Dallas Ewton, an Algebra teacher at Morris Public Schools in Morris, Oklahoma, echoed Mauk’s sentiments and stated the workshop was very informative for his students back home.
“I will try to explain to them (Students) that if they join they will be able to bring more out of themselves then they would otherwise,” Ewton said. “This workshop was awesome and an experience I will never forget.”