Arkansas educators learn marksmanship, experience field training during California Marine Corps workshop

Yahoo

01-05-2025

OCEANSIDE, Calif. – On Wednesday, during the Marine Educators Workshop, those from Arkansas who are attending traveled to Camp Pendleton in Oceanside to learn about weapons and the field training recruits would have to do.
While at Camp Pendleton, educators went to Edson Range, where they each took part in learning about the history of the range, what would be required from potential recruits during boot camp, and how to shoot with a rifle the recruits would use to train.
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Kelsey Beasley, a teacher at Caddo Academy, said she had a good time learning how to shoot the and she could see her students wanting to learn more.
'I think a lot of our students would enjoy this specifically.' Beasley adds, 'most of our students I believe come from a background of hunting and fishing and I believe they could excel in this.'
Gunnery Sgt. Cristoval Melchor, a Senior Drill Instructor, has been leading the Arkansas teachers, among others, during part of the workshop. Melchor is also a native of the Natural State.
'I'm from Northwest Arkansas. I was born in Rogers and I grew up in Springdale,' Melchor said.
He also explained it's important for the educators to learn what they can and bring it back to the students in Arkansas, knowing he was once a student there.
'I know our core values of honor, courage, and commitment will resonate really well with Arkansans,' Melchor said.
Melchor has served for 16 years and said it's here young people can find purpose and direction.
'We teach them the fundamentals of weapons handling and weapon safety and when they fire that weapon, you can see that newfound confidence they have,' he said.
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Throughout the day, educators also experienced field training through teamwork obstacle courses. Edward Tucker, the Principal of Hamburg High School says he liked when instructors with the Marines talked about the success rate, and he can't wait to share that information when he goes back to campus.
'I want to be able to go back and say this is what it will look like,' Tucker said. 'we want to ensure that every kid when they get out of high school has a definite path or options when they move on to post-secondary education.'
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