Misawa Airman graduates Marine Corps professional military education

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  Misawa is a joint community. Airmen are deploying to increasingly more joint environments. As one Airman here proved - professional military education can become a joint environment too.

Master Sgt. William E. Miller II, 35th Maintenance Squadron Test Cell NCO in charge, attended the Marine Corps' Senior NCO Academy Advanced Course at Camp Hansen, Okinawa from Aug. 10 to Sept. 25.

As one of the top 10 percent of non-selects for E-8, Sergeant Miller had the option of attending a sister service senior NCO academy. Each year, the Marine Corps allows 15 Air Force members to attend its academy. Sergeant Miller was one of seven Airmen to apply and graduate the USMC academy in fiscal year 2007.

"I heard about it and I wanted the challenge of the physical aspect because I am a very physical person," he explained. "I filled out the application letter and obtained my commander's approval. I faxed the application to the Air Force Personnel Center on Tuesday and received a class date Wednesday morning."

The Marine Corps Senior NCO Academy is one of three Marine Corps enlisted education courses that focus on leadership skills, self-confidence, broadening perspectives and developing war fighting skills. Curriculum for the Senior NCO Academy includes: general military subjects, written and oral communications, drill and ceremonies, physical fitness, tactics and weapons, and Marine Corps leadership.

Having no idea what he was getting into, Sergeant Miller contacted a master sergeant who had attended the Marine Corps' academy two years prior. He was able to provide him with the basics of the course. He also researched the fitness requirements for the academy and increased his physical training in preparation. Still, he said he went in to the school blind.

"They hit on the normal stuff like mentoring and counseling, but they also covered things like offensive and defensive tactics, how to attack an enemy, how to prevail in ground combat, weapons, drill and ceremony, reading and navigating maps, and calling in close air support," he said.

"I was definitely behind the power curve because that's not something we learn as an Air Force," he explained. "But I had some very good classmates and instructors who took the time and slowed down the pace for me. I also spent a lot of weekends studying."

To add to the challenge of attending sister service PME, Sergeant Miller was the only non-Marine in the class of 45 students.

"Everyone looks at you because you are in a different uniform," he said. "The first day of class the instructor pointed me out. He had me stand up and talk about how I got there and they all absorbed me very well."

One thing that helped Sergeant Miller assimilate into the class was the wearing of uniforms. He wore Marine Corps physical training uniforms and utilities during physical training. During class, Sergeant Miller wore his desert camouflage uniform and sometimes a suit and tie.

"I think that wearing the same uniform as them helped because it showed that I was part of the team," Sergeant Miller said. "You have to go down there with the attitude that you're not Air Force, you're not Marine Corps, but you are part of the team."

The most beneficial part of the course, according to Sergeant Miller, was the opportunity to get to know the Marine Corps better.

"Attending a sister service PME gave me the opportunity to see what they do on a daily basis," he said. "I learned how important their mission is and how it impacts our mission. I was in class with some combat Marines and they were telling me about when they have been stuck in the heat of battle. They would hear the Air Force jets overhead bombing and they would think 'Thank God.' They respect us a lot more than we think they do. And I gained a newfound respect for what they do -- putting their lives on the line everyday."

Based on his experience, Sergeant Miller said he recommends the course for anyone who wants to be challenged both academically and physically.

"If you want variation and to step outside of the box -- Marine Corps Advanced Academy is the way to go," he said. "The important thing for making it through is to have a positive attitude. If you have a positive attitude, you'll be surprised at what you can accomplish."