MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructors’ course took the final step in their training and graduated on base here Nov. 5.
Danilo A. McCabe is the Martial Arts Instructor- Trainer for the course and is one of two people on base certified to teach it.
Since there are only two instructors qualified to teach the course seats are limited.
“There can only be 12 students to every instructor,” said McCabe. “That’s why I encourage my students to continue their training, so that they may pass the same information to their Marines.”
The class follows a strict schedule that must be preapproved by the Martial Arts Center of Excellence.
“My method of training is as by the book as possible,” said McCabe. “I think it will help my students be better trainers in the future.”
The course employs approximately 125 training hours and is three weeks long.
McCabe offers the course approximately twice every fiscal year.
“I would offer it more but because of the shortage of MAIT’s it makes it difficult to make the time,” McCabe said. “I encourage my students to achieve the instructor- trainer status so that the class may be more readily available.”
McCabe worked his way up through the different belt grades quickly when the program started and became an instructor. In 2006 he achieved the red tab status, making him a certified MAIT.
The Martial Arts Center of Excellence, located at Raider Hall, Camp Barret in Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., is the only place that has the MAIT course available.
In order to attend the course, students must first pass through the MAI course, like the one offered by McCabe.
The course has focuses on many different aspects of the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program.
The MAI course is meant to be physically challenging but McCabe also likes to focus on mental strength and discipline.
“The training doesn’t just focus on one aspect, it is mental, physical and challenges your character discipline,” said an MAI student. “You learn how to use core values in a different way through the training.”
All of the training is important, but through the free sparing sessions Mccabe is able to see the levels that each student is at.
“The free sparing, pugil sticks and bayonet techniques are great because they show who has the will to fight and who doesn’t,” said McCabe.
There are many ways to expand training through MCMAP and otherwise.
“I’ve taken classes like Jujitsu and wrestling but I still learn different maneuvers from my students,” said McCabe. “Someone is always going to know something that you don’t; it’s pretty awesome.”
Now that the students have gained the status of instructor they are certified to train up to the green belt but can award up to the gray belt level.
Editor's note: This story was modified April 24, 2018. The name of the student quoted was removed.