Dec. 7, 2013
Vol. 2 Issue 154
DAILY DIGEST
OFFICERS TRAIN IN HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT STORY AND PHOTOS BY MC3 ERIC M. BUTLER
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t’s not unusual to see Marines on board Nimitz practicing martial arts or weapons training in the hangar bay. However, it is unusual to see Marine officers throwing down and sweating it out on the blue training mats almost every night around 8 p.m. For the past month, Marine pilots with the “Death Rat-
tlers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 have been bringing the speed and intensity in what is called the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP). Led by Sgt. Seree Chang, from Sacramento, Calif., the MCMAP course requires these officers to take time out of their busy training and flight sched-
ules, and get back into some of the basic training elements of the United States Marine Corps that have made even their newly graduated recruits into some of the world’s premier hand-tohand combatants. As the deployment schedule winds down on the ship’s way back to the U.S., the flight schedule has let up enough for Continued on page 2
Continued from page 1
“Death Rattler” pilots to get back into MCMAP. Every officer and enlisted Marine advances through the courses during their career. “Since we’re not flying, the officers have the opportunity to come out and do the whole course,” said Chang. Chang said that the various self-defense techniques the Marines taught coalesced in the early 2000s into the MCMAP course. “MCMAP is a discipline of multiple types of fighting,” said Chang. “We have a little bit of Judo, Jui Jitsu, disarming an opponent with a gun or knife, knowing how to use your weapon, weapons of opportunity and all different forms of martial arts.” “MCMAP will present students with a lot of situations where they have to use what they have,” said Chang. “That’s why we don’t focus solely on Jui Jitsu and ground fighting, we move onto stuff like how to disarm somebody.”
Marine officers participate in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) in the hangar bay.
Capt. Sean Wolterman, from Lincoln, Neb., has been going through the course and said that all Marines go through different levels of MCMAP once they join. He was commissioned in the Marine Corps in May 2007 as an Reserve Officer Training Corps graduate out of Iowa State University. “Entry level is pretty indepth,” said Wolterman. “It’s all the basic building blocks. Once guys go through recruit training, OCS [Officer Can-
didate School], and the basic school for officers, they get their tan belt.” The second course, said to be the longest, earns participants the gray belt. Next is the green belt course, and then brown, which the pilots are going through. The black belt course comes last and teaches participants how to be MCMAP instructors. “The martial arts program is fun, challenging and physical,” said Wolterman. “This
Commanding Officer
Executive Officer
Command Master Chief
Public Affairs Officer
Capt. Jeff Ruth
Capt. J.J. Cummings
CMDCM Teri McIntyre
Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski
Editor MC3 (SW) George J. Penney III
Lead Designer MC2 (SW) Raul Moreno Jr.
Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.
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is a rare opportunity for us to actually come and build camaraderie, have a sergeant teach us something and show him what his officers can do. It’s a chance for us to bond. The pilots in the squadron don’t get to do this very often. If guys get hurt, they don’t get to fly, especially on deployment when we’re in combat.” “Toughness is part of it,” said Capt. Daniel J. Bono, from Jacksonville, Mo. “I don’t know nearly as much about MCMAP as the other Marines in the squadron, it’s an opportunity where they can say, ‘sir, this is how you do this or that.’” Bono joined the Marine Corps in July 2008 as an officer after college through the Platoon Leaders Course. He said the course has a real mix of teaching leaders. While one day you may be going through bayonet practice, later on
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It’s not just about hitting and punching...it’s also about being a good leader.
”
- Bono you’ll go through a course on how to counsel junior members. “It’s not just about hitting and punching, protecting yourself in combat, it’s also about being a good leader,” said Bono. “Cohesion is a big part of it. These are all things that we need to understand, another tool to get the point across in order to obtain Marine Corps leadership traits and explain honor, courage and commitment.” “There are certain Marine Corps traits the course covers called ‘tie-ins,’” said Bono.
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“Every time you go through a phase, you’ll do a tie-in on leadership, communication, hazing and other introductions to the Marine Corps.” Bono said that law of war is also taught which guides how our armed forces deal with topics like enemy combatants, prisoners-of-war, civilians and rules-of-engagement. While the course comes from and is tailored to Marines, like the Corporal’s Course for new E-4’s, it’s always open to Sailors who are interested. Combat skills, confidence and leadership are always in demand in the military regardless of branch. Having MCMAP under your belt as a Sailor can look good on review boards. In the future, if you find yourself deployed with Marines, consider getting a good workout while increasing your leadership skills by joining this beneficial course.
President Issues Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Proclamation Story by American Forces Press Service
P
resident Barack Obama issued a proclamation declaring Dec. 7, 2013, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Here is the text of the president’s proclamation: More than seven decades ago, on a calm Sunday morning, our Nation was attacked without warning or provocation. The bombs that fell on the island of Oahu took almost 2,400 American lives, damaged our Pacific Fleet, challenged our resilience, and tested our resolve. On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the men and women who selflessly sacrificed for our country, and we show our enduring gratitude to all who fought to defend freedom against the forces of tyranny and oppression in the Second World War. In remembrance of Pearl Harbor and to defend our Nation against future attacks, scores of young Americans enlisted in the United States military. In battle after battle, our troops fought with courage and honor. They took the Pacific theater island by island, and eventually swept through Europe, liberating nations as they progressed. Because of their extraordinary valor, America emerged from this test as we always do -- stronger than ever before. We also celebrate those who served and sacrificed on the home front -- from families who grew Victory Gardens or donated to the war effort to women who joined the assembly 4
line alongside workers of every background and realized their own power to build a brighter world. Together, our Greatest Generation overcame the Great Depression, and built the largest middle class and strongest economy in history. Today, with solemn pride and reverence, let us remember those who fought and died at Pearl Harbor, acknowledge everyone who carried their legacy forward, and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the ideals for which they served. The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.” NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2013, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance and to honor our military, past and present, with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.
Photos by Nimitz’ Media Department
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By MC3 (SW) Siobhana R. McEwen
By MC3 (SW) Siobhana R. McEwen
Sailors conduct morning colors while inport in Pearl Harbor.
Sailors ride a ferry to the USS Arizona memorial for reenlistment ceremonies.
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A statue of Fleet Admiral Nimitz stands near the Battleship Missouri Museum.
By MC3 Eric M. Butler
By MC2 (SW) Jacob Milner
Veterans visit pri-fly during a tour aboard Nimitz.
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LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN
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G.I. JOE: RISE OF COBRA
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FINDING NEMO
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN
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INDIANA JONES: TEMPLE OF DOOM
LORD OF THE RINGS: TWO TOWERS
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officers participate in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) in the hangar bay.