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High school educator Briana Allen performs the combat fitness test aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego during the Educators Workshop this past February. The workshop is a week-long program designed to better inform high school teachers, coaches and administrators about the benefits and opportunities available in the Marine Corps. (Photo by Sgt. Michelle Reif)

Photo by Sgt Michelle Reif

Minnesota Educator Selected for Marine Corps Officer Candidates School

10 Aug 2018 | 1st Lt. Emma Thompson 9th Marine Corps District

When local high school educator Briana Allen attended the Marine Corps Educators Workshop in San Diego, California in February, she left with a new found passion, a passion to become a Marine Corps officer.

The Marine Corps Educators Workshop is a program that brings high school teachers, coaches and administrators to Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego for a back-stage tour of how Marines are made. Throughout this week-long workshop, the educators learn about the different benefits and opportunities the Marine Corps provides young men and women after they graduate high school.

As an educator from Maple Grove High School, Allen attended the workshop this past February with 30 other educators from the Minneapolis area. They were introduced to the infamous Marine Corps drill instructors, the combat fitness test and the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. The educators also traveled to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, where they conducted the Leadership Reaction Course and were introduced to the Marine Corps rifle range.

“The workshop is something you should not pass up,” Allen said. “There are so many things that we took away, that we can teach to students and incorporate at school. Even if the students are not interested in the military, the values and training at the workshop can be used in everyday life. Every high school needs to go through your boot camp, it would create a better America!”

While Allen’s introduction to the Marine Corps ended with recruit graduation at the end of the workshop, her experience left her motivated to pursue more. With the help of the Marines from Recruiting Station Twin Cities, Allen applied for and was selected to attend the Marine Corps Officer Candidates School.

This 10-week course screens and evaluates the mind, body and character of officer candidates to see if they have what it takes to lead Marines. Upon completion of the course, the candidates earn the title of Marine and commission as a Marine Corps Second Lieutenant.

“It’s not too late,” said Allen to college graduates who want to pursue something different than their current career. “At the workshop, I was impressed by each Marine I talked to and the values they uphold. I want to be a part of that. I want to be taught, trained and develop skills that I can then teach to my own Marines in the future.”

Allen will report to Officer Candidates School in September. For more information about becoming a Marine Corps officer, visit www.marines.com/becoming-a-marine/officer or contact your local Marine Corps recruiter by calling 1-800-MARINES.


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