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PMI Teaches Skills of His Trade |
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Written by Josh
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Friday, 06 April 2007 |
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Sergeant Rusty Jones, primary marksman instructor, Marksmanship Training Unit, made the decision to become a PMI during recruit training and has been teaching recruits marksmanship for six months.
Jones, an Ehrenberg, Ariz., native, has always been interested in shooting and decided there was no better way to hone his skills than learning to teach others how to shoot, he said.
Jones is very motivated and enthusiastic, said Gunnery Sgt. Donald Wilson, staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge, MTU. He loves to see the recruits after they qualify, and it motivates him to do even better the next time.
"I like seeing the finished product on [qualification] day and the looks on the recruits faces when they realize they are one step closer to graduation," said Jones.
Jones joined the Marine Corps on Sept. 10, 2001, with the military occupational specialty of mortorman. He was undecided about his future after high school, but he knew the Marines could provide him with a way to stay out of trouble. |
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Written by Josh
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Sunday, 05 November 2006 |
 Pfc. Nicholas B. Von Koenig (left) and his cousin Pvt. Benjamin E. Von Koenig, Platoon 3034, Company I, said after today’s graduation, they will stand tall and proud like New York’s Twin Towers once did.
Private First Class Nicholas B. Von Koenig and Pvt. Benjamin E. Von Koenig, platoon 3034, Co. I, were assembled in their eighth grade classes in Saint Joseph, Mich. Sept. 11, 2001 when the principal of the school announced the tragic events that had taken place and told all the teachers to turn on their classroom televisions.
Ever since they were children, the Von Koenig cousins knew they wanted to be in the military. With two uncles in the Army and a grandfather in the Marine Corps, they felt it was their destiny to serve their country, too.
They had spent a lot of time with their grandfather, and they admired how he carried himself. The stories he told of his time in the Corps influenced them and sparked their mutual interest to enlist. Before their grandfather passed away, they promised him they would follow in his footsteps and make him proud.
As they grew up, they watched friends join the armed forces and noticed the positive changes in them. Their friends had a higher level of confidence because the military made them more mature and positive about themselves and their abilities, said Nicholas.
They wanted the same qualities and characteristics their family and friends had, and believed the only way they could achieve this was to enlist, said Benjamin.
When they made the decision to sign their enlistment papers, the cousins remembered how sounds of shock and disbelief had filled their school and the feeling of anger that raged through them as they watched and listened to the horrific events of 9/11, said Nicholas.
After researching all the different branches of service, they came to the conclusion that they wanted to join the Marine Corps. They said their military occupational specialty of choice was infantry. There weren’t enough spots available however, and Benjamin decided to go with security forces instead.
“The Von Koenigs participated in Delayed Entry Program functions for two years before being able to leave for training,” said Sgt. Peter J. Hansen, recruiter Recruiting Substation St. Joseph, Recruiting Station Lansing, Mich. “They gave 110 percent of themselves to do what it took to get ready for boot camp.”
They were used as positive examples during the DEP functions. Everyone looked up to them because they always went above and beyond expectations, said Hansen, who is originally from Chaska, Minn.
Marine Corps boot camp presented them with the best and most challenging training available. They believed this would benefit them and they would obtain bearing and self-discipline, which were high on the Von Koenigs’ list of admirable Marine characteristics they desired for themselves.
“I believe the Marine Corps teaches the discipline to start something and finish it,” said Benjamin. “It teaches you to take the initiative to do the right thing when no one is looking. The Marine Corps challenges you to make something of yourself.”
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 05 November 2006 )
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New Drill Instructor Leads |
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Written by Josh
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Saturday, 12 August 2006 |
From the maintenance management field to the drill field, a depot drill instructor decided to make Marines instead of just working alongside them.
Staff Sgt. Sergio M. Santoro, drill instructor, Platoon 2006, Company H, found out for the first time today, how it feels to graduate a platoon of Marines as opposed to graduating with them more than 11 years ago, when he attended recruit training.
“It feels great,” said Santoro. “I still remember the ‘Drill Instructors Creed.’ It’s important to keep it in mind so you never lose focus of why you are here.”
The Queens, N.Y., native wanted to be a drill instructor since he was a sergeant, nearly four years ago. Santoro said he wouldn’t feel right getting out of or retiring from the Marine Corps without doing a tour on the drill field.
Transitioning from the operational forces to a drill instructor opened Santoro’s eyes on what is expected of the other drill instructors on the depot.
Staying physically fit is important to Santoro and he enjoys training to stay in shape. He mentioned that being on the drill field was mentally challenging and that he had to be tough physically because the duty is so demanding.
Drill instructors are around their recruits 24 hours a day, seven days a week for 13 weeks at a time. According to Santoro, it was a work load he wasn’t accustomed to, but one he adapted to by being mentally strong.
Santoro’s peers refer to him as eager to learn and always asking questions.
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