Boots on the Ground Program

The Boots on the Ground program brings together those Marines who “have been there and done that” to those who have not but soon will. Boots on the Ground gives a voice to enlisted Marines who have valuable operational experience and perspectives that, when shared, fosters future success.  A forum for recent veteran Marines sharing what they know with those about to experience the unknown, Boots on the Ground provides practical and basic level PME to the enlisted community by the enlisted community.

The Enlisted Development Department welcomes suggestions and recommendations for future program initiatives and invites Marines to view this site often to stay abreast of scheduled events

Boots on the Ground Program at Pensacola, Florida
31 October 2006

MCA sponsored a Boots on the Ground program on 31 October at the Mustin Beach Club at Pensacola, Florida.
The program is an MCA Enlisted Development Department initiative designed to give a stronger voice to the enlisted community in training and Professional Military Education (PME). Basically, it brings those who have "been there and done that" to those who have not but soon will.

Sgt Maj Joe Vaught of MATSG 21 started the event with a welcome to former MCA Enlisted Development Director, Sgt Maj Lon Martin. Sgt Maj Martin presented the MCA organizational brief to the young audience, explaining MCA's role in promoting PME and encouraging young enlisted Marines to take an active and contributory role in PME. The Boots on the Ground program, a panel discussion followed.

Seven panel members, ranking from Lance Corporal to Captain, presented practical views on the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan to an audience of over 350 Marine students who have yet to deploy. Intended to provide fresh perspectives at a level receptive to younger audience, the panel succeeded in imparting an important sense of the importance of Marine training and camaraderie. Panel members hammered the idea to "Trust your training" and provided many anecdotes to prove the point that trust in Marine Corps training helped in overcoming the fear that everyone experiences. The other crucial point the panel succeeded in imparting was that bonding to each other and trusting fellow Marines did much to deal with fear and stress and greatly improved unit morale and effectiveness in even the most dire situations.

 

MCA thanks our event sponsors for their generous support.