MCRD San Diego --
There are Marines that dedicate their time to the training of the future of the Marine Corps. Among those Marines are martial arts instructors that are there to teach close-combat fighting techniques through the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program and other combat conditioning events.
“The purpose of MAI’s is to introduce the fundamentals of MCMAP to the recruits,” said Staff Sgt. Jonh Saracay, martial arts instructor, Instructional Training Company, Support Battalion. “We also help them understand what MCMAP is to the Marine Corps and how you can transfer what you’ve learned to your life.”
Saracay, a 28-year-old Los Angeles native, is an MAI and has been teaching MCMAP for more than nine years. He earned his black belt in 2003 and later became an instructor in 2004.
“The opportunity was given to me and over time I learned more about what MCMAP is to the Marine Corps and the meaning of being an instructor,” explained Saracay.
Although the purpose of a MAI is to teach the fundamentals of MCMAP, they are also there to instill Warrior Ethos.
Warrior Ethos stresses mental and character development, including the responsible use of force, leadership, and teamwork.
“At the end of each class, we have tie-ins,” said Saracay. “It’s a period of time where the MAI can cool down the recruits, have them relax and explain to them how Marines have evolved with MCMAP.”
Saracay explained that they use warrior case studies which focus on individuals that have shown exemplary service in combat, as well as discussion and analysis of their citation
“We explain to them what they’ve practiced that day and why they’re doing it,” said Saracay. “I call it learning to control the chaos, because you can apply it to your everyday life.”
Through tie-ins, the recruits learn about discipline, responsibility and how they can be in control of themselves if they were ever in a combat situation and in their everyday life.
This is an important role of an MAI because they are able to get on a different level with the recruits.
“We learn the techniques over and over and it gets repetitive and tiring,” said Recruit Johnathon Carlisle, Platoon 3263, Company M, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. “But in the end, what the MAI teaches us builds character and we can use it our life and career in the Marine Corps.”
MAI’s aboard MCRD will continue to be dedicated to instilling Warrior Ethos through teaching the fundamentals of MCMAP and other combat conditioning exercises to the recruits until the day they graduate and move on with their careers in the Marine Corps.