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