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Court reporter GySgt. Patricia R. Smith with 1st Service Support Group sits behind her stenograph short hand machine in a Leagal Services and Support Section conference room Sept 22. Smith is one of few Marines to type 225 words per minute on the machine.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis

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Inside courtroom doors

19 Jan 2006 | Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- On first glance, many don’t notice Gunnery Sgt. Patricia R. Smith tucked away in a corner of a crowded courtroom.

She sits quietly by the judge’s side typing away at her shorthand machine, recording everything that is said in court proceedings.

Smith is a court reporter who made a lateral move from the Marine Corps Band in 2002.

Now Smith invites others to the courtroom, regardless of MOS, to join one of the most rewarding military occupational specialties in the Marine Corps.

“(It’s) a rewarding job opportunity to work with attorneys on a daily basis and make contributions to the Marine Corps’ mission of maintaining good order and discipline,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Derwin K. McGriff, legal administrative officer.

Smith said one of the hardest graduation requirements in school is passing the speed test for the stenograph machine.

“You have to type 180 words per minute. I typed 225 wpm,” Smith said.

It is a score that she and only two other Marine Corps court reporters have achieved.

Although the military graduation requirement is only 180 wpm on the stenograph machine, Smith strived to get the civilian graduation requirement.

“I was determined and I got it,” Smith exclaimed.

“If I set my mind to it, I get what I want,” said Smith with determination blazing in her eyes.

“Graduating the school determines if you get your bonus,” said Master Sgt. Elizabeth L. Scharnhorst, Court Reporter Chief for Legal Service Support Section.

Although the school is intensive, Smith said lateral movers must be persistent.

“Literally you have to tell yourself, ‘Keep going,’” whispered Smith, demonstrating how a person would motivate themselves. “I enjoyed (school). I thought it was a wonderful challenge.”

The challenge doesn’t stop there. There are certain requirements when a prospect steps into the courtroom.
“You have to have a poker face,” McGriff said. “Being mature is very important.”

Smith said it’s because ‘you see some characters coming in’. “The variety of people, different cultures, backgrounds, it’s interesting,” Smith explained.

“Regardless of how (you) feel, (you) have to be neutral and impartial,” McGriff added. The school is long, the work is hard but the bonus is big”

For more information on how to lateral move to the court reporter MOS contact Master Sgt. Scharnhorst or Gunnery Sgt. Smith at (760) 725- 8784.

Court reporter GySgt. Patricia R. Smith with 1st Service Support Group sits behind her stenograph short hand machine in a Leagal Services and Support Section conference room Sept 22. Smith is one of few Marines to type 225 words per minute on the machine.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis

Download

Details

Inside courtroom doors

19 Jan 2006 | Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

PRINT

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- On first glance, many don’t notice Gunnery Sgt. Patricia R. Smith tucked away in a corner of a crowded courtroom.

She sits quietly by the judge’s side typing away at her shorthand machine, recording everything that is said in court proceedings.

Smith is a court reporter who made a lateral move from the Marine Corps Band in 2002.

Now Smith invites others to the courtroom, regardless of MOS, to join one of the most rewarding military occupational specialties in the Marine Corps.

“(It’s) a rewarding job opportunity to work with attorneys on a daily basis and make contributions to the Marine Corps’ mission of maintaining good order and discipline,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Derwin K. McGriff, legal administrative officer.

Smith said one of the hardest graduation requirements in school is passing the speed test for the stenograph machine.

“You have to type 180 words per minute. I typed 225 wpm,” Smith said.

It is a score that she and only two other Marine Corps court reporters have achieved.

Although the military graduation requirement is only 180 wpm on the stenograph machine, Smith strived to get the civilian graduation requirement.

“I was determined and I got it,” Smith exclaimed.

“If I set my mind to it, I get what I want,” said Smith with determination blazing in her eyes.

“Graduating the school determines if you get your bonus,” said Master Sgt. Elizabeth L. Scharnhorst, Court Reporter Chief for Legal Service Support Section.

Although the school is intensive, Smith said lateral movers must be persistent.

“Literally you have to tell yourself, ‘Keep going,’” whispered Smith, demonstrating how a person would motivate themselves. “I enjoyed (school). I thought it was a wonderful challenge.”

The challenge doesn’t stop there. There are certain requirements when a prospect steps into the courtroom.
“You have to have a poker face,” McGriff said. “Being mature is very important.”

Smith said it’s because ‘you see some characters coming in’. “The variety of people, different cultures, backgrounds, it’s interesting,” Smith explained.

“Regardless of how (you) feel, (you) have to be neutral and impartial,” McGriff added. The school is long, the work is hard but the bonus is big”

For more information on how to lateral move to the court reporter MOS contact Master Sgt. Scharnhorst or Gunnery Sgt. Smith at (760) 725- 8784.