Fietz takes instructor of the year award

[thedrifter]

Fietz takes instructor of the year award
Submitted by: MCAS New River
Story Identification Number: 2004323164856
Story by Sgt. Juan Vara



MARINE CORPS AIR STATION NEW RIVER, N.C.(March 3, 2004) -- Staff Sgt. Russell E. Fietz, a T58 jet engine intermediate level instructor with the Naval Air Maintenance Training Marine Unit New River, was recognized as the squadron?s instructor of the year at a ceremony held outside the CH-53 Maintenance Training Unit building March 3.

Acknowledged for displaying outstanding leadership, technical expertise and instructional skills, Fietz is responsible for providing enlisted maintenance training and continuing the process of transforming entry level Marines and Sailors into future leaders of aviation maintenance.

?I?m excited,? said Fietz, a native of Olney, Texas. ?We have a lot of good instructors here, and it?s an honor to work with them and be chosen as instructor of the year.?

According to Maj. Paul K. Little, NAMTRA MARUNIT executive officer and Summerville, S.C., native, there are three MTUs within NAMTRA MARUNIT. Every quarter, each MTU conducts an instructor of the quarter board to select the most qualified and deserving instructor. Near the end of the year, the officer-in-charge of every MTU conducts an instructor of the year board. The MTU instructor of the year then competes to be the squadron?s instructor of the year.

?Staff Sergeant Fietz definitely deserves it,? said Pfc. Brandon C. Darke, a T58 jet engine mechanic student from Muskegon, Mich. ?He knows his field very well and is an outstanding instructor. When we?re not in class, we?re free to ask questions, anything about the Marine Corps, and he?s always there to help us.?

Pfc. Matthew C. Harum, a T58 jet engine mechanic student who hails from Wenatchee, Wash., said Fietz possesses a unique training technique that helps the students have a better understanding on the subject being taught.

?He makes a comfortable class atmosphere by making you feel like it?s alright to ask questions,? said Pfc. Kenneth D. Morgan, a T58 jet engine mechanic student from Houston. ?Also, he freely passes on to us his knowledge about the Marine Corps.?

In April 2003, Feitz won honors as the CH-46 MTU instructor of the quarter and later took the squadron instructors? top award. He said this was accomplished through constantly staying in the classroom, teaching class after class, ensuring his students obtained the most knowledge, staying up-to-date on his Professional Military Education and maintaining a good physical fitness test on his own time.

?I was also constantly trying to improve the training for the students and for the staff,? he said. ?Always gave it a 110 percent.?

As the winner of the squadron?s instructor of the year award, Fietz represented his unit at a Naval Education and Training Command enlisted instructor of the year board where he competed against all Navy and Marine Corps aviation instructors.

?The Navy won that one, as they generally do every year,? said Lt. Col. Antonio J. Cerrillo, NAMTRA MARUNIT commanding officer and Milwaukee, Wis., native. ?Staff Sergeant Fietz was recognized as our instructor of the year, but he couldn?t do it without the endorsements of the students. The students here are not afraid to write critiques and I want them to continue to do that.?

According to Cerrillo, there?s not a class that goes by when the students don?t write great compliments about their instructors.

?They always write about how great they are,? said Cerrillo. ?When the students tell us that, we see the unit is well led. It is not led by the commanding officer, it?s led by the instructors.?

Per NAMTRA MARUNIT?s Squadron Order 1650.1, instructors serve as role models for students by being top performers, professional in bearing and appearance, physically fit and dedicated to serving their country. Selection as instructor of the quarter and instructor of the year provides recognition for exceptional performance and also helps communicate to the Fleet Marine Force the significant career enhancement opportunities tours of duty as an instructor can provide.

Among the perks that come with winning the coveted instructor of the year award are a 96-hours special liberty pass and six months free of duty as the squadron?s duty officer.



Staff Sgt. Russell E. Fietz, a T58 jet engine intermediate level instructor at the Naval Air Maintenance Training Marine Unit New River, receives a special trophy from Lt. Col. Antonio J. Cerrillo, NAMTRA MARUNIT commanding officer, as Sgt. Maj. Michael T. Allen, NAMTRA MARUNIT sergeant major, stands at attention. Fietz was acknowledged as NAMTRA MARUNIT's instructor of the year March 3. Photo by: Sgt. Juan Vara

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn20...E?opendocument


Ellie

[Boats]

Hello Ellie,

How ya doing? Just wanted to thank you for your continued support in behalf of the Marine Corp. issues and for your remarkable strength.

Your bi-line is special because it goes to say that with the right teacher's the growth pontential is tremendous. I was lucky I had two excellent teacher's that really kept me going. Without them and their directions my life could have taken a lef turn instead of the right one.

Thanks and God Bless You and Your Family

[thedrifter]

Goodmorning Boats

We are moving on....slowly... With the strength of Family and Friends.....With the outpouring of letter and PM's I grow stronger each day.....Yes We have my ups and downs....but I will try hard to accomplish Roger's goals....

I'm not a Marine, but did learn to listen....When Roger and the other Marines spoke....They are guiding me to continue Roger's dreams....to pass on to others.....It does help when I was a History Major.....LOL
When you hear that the Marines are Family....I can say that is completly True.....They have shown me...the courage to continue on.....

If I'm doing something wrong Please let me know....I don't want to burden anyone......

Thank You for asking......

Ellie

My Bio.....

Was a Secertary for a Insurance Co...
Worked in the Phila School District for 15 years (Elementary, and Middle School...With Mentally Challenge Children)
Homemaker
Married to Roger for over 26 years
Raised 4 children....All 4 adult children still live at home.....2 are planning on getting married.....Next year....
Now will decide what to do with my life, since I'm still young....Yes, most of the folks that know teased Roger that he robbed the craddle...LOL

[Boats]

Ellie,

You are a Marine in your heart and in your soul. Roger saw to that. I'm not a Marine but I knew many. I've found that by taking each day as it comes - helps.

You continued efforts to maintain Roger's site needs no critiquing let know one tell you differently.

Draw strength wherever you can - let know one pull you down with depressing things. Life is too short and we all have to move on no matter how difficult the cards are dealt or how it seems.

Keep your positive attitude - as this is your real strength. Roger is proud of you and I know he's standing watch over you each and every day.

His Brother's in Arms will be there to support you as you will find you may be called upon to help those who are suffering from similar issues.

Please forgive me for anything I may have said that tends to be personal in nature. We all know how mortal we are and they say always the good die young. But those of us who survive have to carry to torch for those who can longer do it. You now have the watch and its up to you to remind us when we tend to forget.

My best to you and your family - God Speed.