UNDISCLOSED LOCATION -- A U.S. Navy corpsman assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force—Crisis Response—Central Command, earned his Fleet Marine Force pin at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, Dec. 12, 2015.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Ambrose McGill received his FMF pin after completing demanding hours of dedicated study, practical applications and evaluations.
The rigorous course includes lessons about the Marine Corps, ranging from Corps knowledge to infantry tactics, to help Sailors better understand their partner service. The pin is awarded to sailors who show an ability and willingness to learn the next level of warfighting to more effectively support the mission of the Marine Corps.
From the day he arrived at his unit, McGill worked hard to earn his FMF pin because it, not only allows him to become more tactically proficient at his job, but it also gives him deeper insight into his unit.
“It’s quite an honor, I’ve been with the Marine Corps for almost five years now and this has been something I’ve wanted to achieve since the first day I became a hospital corpsman,” said McGill. “This is the biggest achievement in my entire career.”
The arduous curriculum involves approximately 400 pages of knowledge ranging from land navigation to the significance of distinguished Marines, such as Dan Daly.
According to Chief Petty Officer Casey Wheeler, the Navy senior enlisted leader with SPMAGTF CR-CC, the Sailor has to have a working knowledge of the multitude of topics the textbook covers. The test aren’t just academic however, the Sailor must complete a series of practical applications ranging from drill manual to the disassembly and assembly of the M2A2 .50 caliber machine gun. If that isn’t enough, the Sailor must also pass numerous qualifying boards; sometimes having to give answers verbatim from the textbook’s pages.
“This qualification says that you are qualified to serve with the fleet Marines and take care of the ‘Devil Dogs,’” said Wheeler. “There is a vast amount of pride that comes with earning this pin.”
The time McGill spent dedicated to earning the FMF pin is not measured in days or weeks, but months, in order for him to become an adroit member of the Fleet Marine Force.
“It’s good to be a great Sailor, but it’s better to go above and beyond,” added McGill. “To sacrifice the additional hours to learn the extra knowledge and do everything you can to be proficient and an expert, not only in your job, but also in the Marine Corps traditions and various tactical areas is something people should strive to achieve.”
McGill is happy to be a part of the community of fellow Sailors who have earned the right to display the FMF pin with pride on their chest.