DVIDS – News – 30 Marines from across Okinawa complete MAI course to become Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructors

OKINAWA, Japan – U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Aaliyah Aguaro and 29 other Marines from III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Corps Installations Pacific stepped out into the dark early morning hours, shouldering their military gear, ready for the next six hours of their martial arts instructor course at Camp Hansen, Dec. 14.

The sound of her unit's boots hitting the asphalt echoed through the streets of Camp Hansen just before sunrise, and she could hear howls of yelling behind her that quickly stopped when an instructor told everyone to retreat to the grass.

About 400 meters from the starting point, each group split off into the grass and quickly stripped off all excess gear. The groups lined up and began their first station of the day.

Feeling nervous but calm, Aguaro got into a push-up position, then quickly jumped up to stand, then repeated the process. After a moment, each team lined up and began repeating a variety of exercises, including burpees, dive push-ups, low crawls and a variety of partner carries.

The instructor called Squads 1 and 2 aside while the members of Squad 3 continued their training. Squad 2 walked around the corner, up a hill, and out of sight of Squad 1. Both squads were instructed to take cover amongst trees and shrubs and were issued hand, head, and body protection.

With the help of her squadmates, Aguaro quickly donned her battle gear. When she was given the go-ahead, she moved toward a hill where members of Squad 2 approached. Aguaro equipped herself with her training knife and waited for the enemy to come into view.

“Fight!”

She engaged the fighter and the so-called bell rang. Both fighters exchanged rapid punches and jabs. The wire masks on their helmets hindered both fighters' vision, but still, critical hits were landed.

“break!”

The match ended and both players returned to their teams for the next round.

This was the format for the next six hours: exercise and combat, with each station featuring repetitions of exercise and sparring or combat with hikes in between.

“There were definitely a lot of moments where we were in the black or way beyond the black,” said Aguaro, an Illinois native who is stationed at Marine Corps Base Pacific. “This was definitely the toughest test I've ever been through while I was in the military.”

The class was divided into three squads, each with one instructor: Sergeant Levi Wolfe with Squad 1, Sergeant Angel Cruz-Ochoa with Squad 2, and Sergeant Abdukarim Sy with Squad 3. From one station to the next, the squads were responsible for carrying a log, which required the manpower of three to four Marines.

The MAI course is a three-week course that provides physical training and academic instruction to instructor trainees. Rigorous physical training prepares trainees to execute Marine Corps Martial Arts Program techniques through the various elements of warfare. Coursework evaluation ensures that all newly graduated instructors have sufficient knowledge to carefully supervise and guide Marines seeking MCMAP belt promotion.

“To become an MAI, you have to find something within yourself that you never knew you could do,” said Wolf, lead instructor for MAI Course Class 28-24. “This course is not for everyone. This course is for Marines who want to go above and beyond, because it takes a special type of Marine to withstand the physical and mental challenges of a course like this.”

Wolf said the biggest difference between a regular belt promotion course and an instructor course is the level of combat conditioning and retention of knowledge of all the techniques and exercises.

“If you're not mentally stable, the whole team fails. Everyone on the team is struggling just like you,” Aguaro said. “One of the hardest things was getting along with the people on the team because we're all different.”

Throughout the course, Marines from each squad were instructed to complete the drill as a squad. When an individual Marine was called out, the squad had to repeat the entire number of drills. Combat training also helps Marines develop leadership and camaraderie. Using communication and teamwork, the Marines made it through the final phase of training in no time.

The thorough instruction ensures that upon graduation, Marines are fully equipped to lead new Marines through any skill.

“I've wanted to do this since I was a corporal, but I hated MCMAP. It was originally just to improve my promotion score,” Aguaro said. “But then I changed my mind. I realized I wanted to go beyond my job, test my leadership skills, and network with other Marines and different types of students.”

Wolf, an Illinois native, also worked his way up the ranks during his time as a corporal. After he finally earned his grey belt, Wolf began diving deeper into MCMAP.

After his merit promotion, his career moved into a different type of leadership role. Corporal Wolf pursued the role of MAI and received the instructor tab the same month he was promoted to corporal. He served as an instructor for regular belt promotions, training Marines who wanted to be promoted.

He was again meritorious promoted to his current rank of Sergeant and then furthered his career with MCMAP to become a Martial Arts Instructor Trainer, earning his Red Tab.

“What impact can I make as an instructor on the Marine Corps as a whole? What can I leave behind for the next generation? It's important to spread your wings and make a big impact, not just a small ripple, but a big wave.”

The Marines in the 28-24 class came back at the end of the event and put their gear down for the last time, with the instructor announcing for the Marines to enter the room individually one last time.

One by one, the graduates received their new belts and filed out of the room, signifying their status as Marine Corps martial arts instructors.

Congratulations to Okinawa's newest MAIs.

1st Marine Aircraft Wing

Sergeant Daniel Gonzalez, Corporal Jordan Camilo, Corporal Adonis Jimenez, Corporal Benjamin Toro, Corporal Mario Aguilar, Corporal Edgar Diavilha, Corporal Jefferson Sidabutar, Corporal James Hanks, and Corporal Neilon Parsons.

Marine Corps Base Pacific

Sergeant Tyler Wallace, Sergeant Alex Stark, Corporal Alex Fairchild, Corporal Jonathan Beauchamp, Corporal Aaliyah Aguarullo, and Corporal Doane Johnson II.

III Marine Expeditionary Force Intelligence Group

Sergeant Esdras Alvarenga-Ordonez, Sergeant Rubens Guillaume, Sergeant Ramsey Ranseau Jr., Corporal Austin Chang, Corporal David Garcia, and Corporal Valentin Telles III.

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

Corporal John Goodman, Corporal Louis Eliza Jr., and Corporal Mark Ruth.

3rd Marine Division

Corporal George O'Kane, Corporal Hunter Harris, and Corporal Osiel Carrasco Rodriguez.

3rd Maritime Resupply Group

Corporal Joseph Roberts.

1st Marine Division

Corporal Axel Carbo.