MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Due to recent Navy approved changes, all active-duty junior enlisted Sailors assigned to Fleet Marine Force commands must complete qualifications for the Fleet Marine Force Warfare Device within their first 18 months of joining the unit.
The change affects all E-1s to E-4s, who in the past were not required to obtain the device until the rank of petty officer second class and higher.
"I absolutely agree with the change," said Petty Officer 1st Class Mark Mulick, leading petty officer for the Dental Clinic. "In the past we didn't push our young Sailors to get the FMF device. Now that it's mandatory, it will only help them in their careers."
In order to qualify for the FMF Warfare Device, a Sailor must go through a battery of classes, Mulick said. Once the bookwork is completed, practical application soon follows.
"After the practical application, the Sailor will take a 150-question written exam with a minimum passing score of 80 percent," he said.
The final portion to qualify for the FMF Warfare Device entails an oral exam, where an applicant can be asked any question on material learned during earlier classes.
Recent FMF Warfare Device recipient, Petty Officer 2nd Class David Williams, dental technician the Dental Clinic, said he wouldn't have been able to get his device without the support of Marines here.
"We had Marines from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 teach us about customs and courtesies, Combat Service Support Detachment 36 Marines explain land navigation and many other Marines from other units who volunteered their time to help us qualify," said Williams. "The Marines really went above and beyond and we all appreciate it."
Learning from Marines in order to better work with Marines is what Williams said the FMF Warfare Device is all about.
"Going through the classes and the training sessions lets us know, if even a small portion, what the Marines have to go through," he said. "If we are out in the field with a unit, we need to be able to handle ourselves. I know if I need to shoot an azimuth I know I can and that breeds confidence in everything else you are doing. The change to the FMF Warfare Device policy was definitely needed because the pin means something to those who wear it."