Staff Sgt. Rafael Garcialopez, right, passes Marine Corps Martial Arts Program fundamentals and knowledge to his squad Nov. 21, Kin Blue, Okinawa, during the culminating event for Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor course class 1-15. MCMAP focuses on real life hand-to-hand combat survival techniques that also include leadership tie inns that help build confidence and leadership in the Marines. The culminating event pushed the Marines and sailor to their limits mentally and physically while challenging them with MCMAP fundamentals. The Marines and sailor in the course trained for three weeks in order to earn their instructor tab. After earning their tab, they now have the ability to practice and teach the disciplines and lessons they learned from the course. The course was run by Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installation Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. Garcialopez is martial arts instructor-trainer and chief instructor for the course. - Staff Sgt. Rafael Garcialopez, right, passes Marine Corps Martial Arts Program fundamentals and knowledge to his squad Nov. 21, Kin Blue, Okinawa, during the culminating event for Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor course class 1-15. MCMAP focuses on real life hand-to-hand combat survival techniques that also include leadership tie inns that help build confidence and leadership in the Marines. The culminating event pushed the Marines and sailor to their limits mentally and physically while challenging them with MCMAP fundamentals. The Marines and sailor in the course trained for three weeks in order to earn their instructor tab. After earning their tab, they now have the ability to practice and teach the disciplines and lessons they learned from the course. The course was run by Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installation Pacific-Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Japan. Garcialopez is martial arts instructor-trainer and chief instructor for the course.

Students with the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy and Marines compete in a friendly game of tug-of-war Nov. 2 during the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy Festival. The festival included music by the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program demonstrations and a friendly competition of tug-of-war. The students attend the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy and are residents of Kin Town. The band members are with III MEF band, III MEF. The Marines are with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF. - Students with the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy and Marines compete in a friendly game of tug-of-war Nov. 2 during the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy Festival. The festival included music by the III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program demonstrations and a friendly competition of tug-of-war. The students attend the Ryukyu Rehabilitation Academy and are residents of Kin Town. The band members are with III MEF band, III MEF. The Marines are with 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, III MEF.

Competitors pose with their awards and trophies after participating in the 35th annual Okinawa Island-Wide Sumo Tournament July 26 held at Kin Town Athletic Field. Seven Marines and a civilian contractor with Camp Hansen participated in the event. Lance Cpl. Carlos M. Sanchez, top row fourth from left, won the “kanto-sho,” one of three special awards given after the event in recognition of his fighting spirit in the ring. Sanchez is a Naples, Florida, native and field artillery control man with 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. (U. S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Ngiraswei/Released) - Competitors pose with their awards and trophies after participating in the 35th annual Okinawa Island-Wide Sumo Tournament July 26 held at Kin Town Athletic Field. Seven Marines and a civilian contractor with Camp Hansen participated in the event. Lance Cpl. Carlos M. Sanchez, top row fourth from left, won the “kanto-sho,” one of three special awards given after the event in recognition of his fighting spirit in the ring. Sanchez is a Naples, Florida, native and field artillery control man with 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, currently assigned to 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, under the unit deployment program. (U. S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tyler Ngiraswei/Released)

Staff Sgt. Eduardo R. Guzman, right, defends against a blow from Cpl. Terrance J. Slaughter, left, July 14 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma’s McCutcheon Gym during a Martial Arts Instructor course. The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program was officially established in 2002, and the principle of hand-to-hand combat in the Marine Corps has existed since the Corps was established. Guzman is a Chicago, Illinois, native and aviation supply specialist with Marine Air Logistics Squadron 36, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Slaughter is a Tomball, Texas, native and air support operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 2, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st MAW, III MEF. - Staff Sgt. Eduardo R. Guzman, right, defends against a blow from Cpl. Terrance J. Slaughter, left, July 14 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma’s McCutcheon Gym during a Martial Arts Instructor course. The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program was officially established in 2002, and the principle of hand-to-hand combat in the Marine Corps has existed since the Corps was established. Guzman is a Chicago, Illinois, native and aviation supply specialist with Marine Air Logistics Squadron 36, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Slaughter is a Tomball, Texas, native and air support operator with Marine Air Support Squadron 2, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st MAW, III MEF.