Melia Goes to the Marines

“This was the most inspiring and useful event I have ever attended in my years as an educator.  As a former teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal and current assistant superintendent, nothing rivals this as a conference.  What an experience!” … Read on

By: Robert W. Melia, Assistant Superintendent, Shenendehowa Central School District

USMC Educators’ Workshop

“Yes Mam, No Mam and Aye Mam”, were three new phrases each of the nearly 25 educators attending the Educators’ Workshop at Parris Island, SC from April 7 through April 10, 2009, desperately needed to learn.  “Yes” and “No” were for answering questions and “Aye” was for responding to an order.  Need I mention that these were said in the loudest, most enthusiastic voice possible or you were subject to a “do-over”?  Sometimes we became a little confused and answered “Yes, Aye Mam”, in an effort to cleverly cover our bases.  That did not work so well for us either!  We did get better over the four day stay however.

All kidding aside, this was one of the best experiences I have had as an educator in nearly 32 years in the business of learning.  We were part of a packed, exciting and educational sojourn courtesy of the United States Marine Corps.

Here is how it unfolded.

Tuesday 7 Apr

1200 Arrival @ Savannah Airport – We first met our Drill Instructor, Staff Sergeant Suarez.  The first moments of our encounter were telling.  She told us to stow our gear, pick up our “chow” and meet her in front of the USO in the airport in 25 minutes.  Several of us in the group immediately determined that it would not be in our best interest to be late for this rendezvous!

1230    Bus ride to hotel in Beaufort, SC – This was pleasant enough as we all reconnected from four different flights to the bus for the ride.  We arrived at the hotel and were told to be downstairs ready to board the bus for dinner by 1715 (5:15 PM).

1800    We learned how to take attendance the Marine Corps way.  “Part the seas, aye Mam”, “One – two, one – two”, “Snap”, count off!”  You really had to be there to appreciate this!  “Recover, aye Mam”.  Then we went inside for dinner at Traditions.

2000    During the ride back to the hotel SSgt. Suarez told us breakfast was at 0530 and we needed to be in formation outside of our bus by 0615.

Wednesday 8 Apr

0615    Needless to say, some of us were late – not good.  We received this wonderful Gore-Tex jacket to wear for the week.  We were told it must not wind up in anyone’s suitcase and it had to be returned before we left on Friday.  We complied.

0630    On our way to the Marine Recruiting Depot and the “Yellow Footprints”.  This is where the recruits line up to be processed into the Corps.  The biggest, most intimidating Marine Drill Instructor ever is waiting for you to get off that bus and take your place in a pair of footsteps.  We received and overview of how recruits are processed and then we were on our way to a “Welcome” from the second in command at the depot.

1000    We arrived at a simulator for the M-16 rifle.  Here we each practiced sighting and firing (albeit electronically) the weapon prior to going out to the rifle range later in the day.  “Two to the chest, one to the head”.  Those were our instructions for firing; the same ones each Marine is given in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I must say, we all did very well on the computer-generated version.

1200    “Box chow” with recruits from the Albany area.  They were all seated stiffly, one at a table, waiting for each of us to take our place around them.  I was fortunate enough to be with recruit Jessie Ray, a 2006 graduate of nearby Niskayuna High School.  She had just finished “The Crucible”, (I’ll address that later) and now she was preparing for her final run the next morning prior to graduating on Friday.  She was a gem to be with; respectful, thankful and proud – as she was soon to earn the title of “Marine”.

1300    To the Rifle Range where we fired the M16A2.  This was cool.  We each had the chance to fire 10 live rounds at targets stationed as far away as 250 yards.  While this was energizing, it was more difficult than the computer simulated exercise earlier.  Personally, I found the weapon to be very forgiving and easy to handle with much less “kick” than I expected.

1400    Back to the hotel for a brief respite to prepare for a visit to the Marine Corps Air Station and then dinner.

1530    To the air station!  We saw, up close and personal an F18 Hornet.  Quite an impressive machine.  We spoke with the crew chief, who maintained the jet, and the pilot who flew it.  Wow, lots of responsibility for 19 and 20 year olds – 25 million dollar airplane!  We were briefed by the pilot and took a quick look inside the cockpit (no pictures of the cockpit allowed).  We saw several F18’s flying and landing and then it was off to dinner.

1730    Dinner at the Officers’ Club.  Once again, another fine meal followed by fellowship and morale building capped by tossing glass objects at a brick wall with several bad guys painted on the wall for proper aim! (You had to be there)!

1930    Back to the hotel with a warning that breakfast was at 0530 and formation was at 0615 – don’t be late!

Thursday 9 Apr

0615    We viewed the motivational run.  Here the recruits line up and all run out of the reviewing area in formation for a 3.7 mile run around the depot.  This is one of the last public appearances the recruits make prior to graduation Friday morning.

0700    Tour of Squadbay.  This is where the recruits live.  It looks just like what you saw in Gomer Pyle, USMC, except it was not in a Quonset hut.  It smelled like a high school locker room.  Here we were given the “Recruit Talk”, a motivational welcome to life as a recruit.  Next we witnessed I.T., “Incentive Training”.  Let’s just say that the Marines give nice names to challenging jobs.  You would have to see it in action, as many of us did, to appreciate it.

1000    We toured the Parris Island Museum and visited the PX.  Both events were much appreciated.  There is a great deal of history at the depot.

1130    Lunch in the mess hall with Marines.  This was followed by a Q & A with all of them.  What an impressive group of people defending our freedom.  They all received a standing ovation from us!

1300    We received a brief on the “Crucible”.  Basically, right before they graduate, the recruits are taken out on an obstacle course and with a total of 8 hours of sleep over a 48 hour period.  They are given a set of mental and physical challenges to test their responses.  Again, this is something you have to witness to truly appreciate.  Next we went to “Leatherneck Square” for the feats of strength demonstration.  Some of us actually had the chance to try a few of these – not the easiest thing to do.

1500 Back to the hotel to prep for dinner.

1630 We gathered in formation for dinner. Most everyone had the chance to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.  Debbie Taylor, SAANYS Director of Corporate Relations, and I headed to the commanding General’s home for dinner as representatives from the Educators’ Workshop.  We had a great time discussing education, recruiting and the Corps.  Quite a nice night.

2000 Return to the hotel.

Friday 10 Apr
0530    Breakfast and checkout.

0800    Morning Colors Ceremony.  Here a 30 by 50 foot American Flag was raised to music form the Parris Island Marine Corps Band.  There was a welcome from the Commanding General and a local elementary school student sang America the Beautiful better than most ever could.  We next took a group photo with the General and the mascot, an English bulldog, “Hummer” who has attained the rank of corporal.

1000    Graduation!  It was a stirring ceremony where they went from being recruits to Marines.  Their parents, friends and relatives were all on hand to cheer and share in the celebration.  It was a great time to be an American.

1100    Final debriefing and yes, they remembered to collect those fabulous Gore-Tex jackets from us…too bad!

1200    We were on our way to the airport.

First, let me thank the opportunity which the Marine Corps provided us through the Educators Workshop.  It was a wonderful learning experience.  I was truly sad to see the week end.

We were given every courtesy and opportunity to take part in not only a unique educational program, but as a citizen we observed first-hand, the hard work and dedication of every single Marine we encountered.

Our Drill Instructor, SSgt. Rose Suarez, was the epitome of a Marine.  She is bright, articulate, organized, flexible, very, very tough; yet she is also empathetic, caring and extremely personable.  I would describe her as a “steel fist in a velvet glove”.  I would follow her directions anytime, and be glad to do it.  Actually, I think she would make a great assistant principal!  She has it all.

Our recruiters from the Albany Station; Major Whitley, Captain Harris, SSgt. Freeland and especially Sgt. DiGirolamo were great to travel and work with on this trip.  Sgt. “Digs”, as he is called, is such a gentleman.  They are all hard workers and extremely adaptable.

I would also like to thank Brigadier General Laster and his wife, Roma, for opening their home to us for an evening of great conversation and delicious food.

This was the most inspiring and useful event I have ever attended in my years as an educator.  As a former teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal and current assistant superintendent, nothing rivals this as a conference.  What an experience!

I cannot overstress the need for all school administrators to take part in the Educators’ Workshop for the chance to take an up-close look at an outstanding organization: The United States Marine Corps.