MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Going to Iraq? If you’re an infantryman with the 1st Marine Division, you might consider going to Division Schools first.

“It’s extremely important for Marines who’re deploying to attend Division Schools because (what they learn) increases combat effectiveness,” explained the School’s staff noncommissioned officer in charge, Gunnery Sgt. Bruce E. Whitfield.

Located in the 33 Area, Division Schools is a network of one-story buildings that instructors use as classrooms. Their curriculum includes mortar and machine gun and non-infantry machine gun operations, anti-armor, pre-sniper, helicopter rope suspension training and a new urban assault leaders course. Most classes take three weeks to complete and are designed for team based training and train the trainer.

Whitfield, who has been an infantryman all 18 years of his service, during which time he served in operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, boasts Division Schools is unique.

The 37-year-old from Los Angeles explained that 1st Marine Division is the only Division to retain a division schools program expressly for handling the training and education aspects within the division as well as assisting other I Marine Expeditionary Force units in their combat readiness.

“Most schools are tailored for individuals,” he said. “They receive the training and then train their Marines when they return to their unit. We take on an entire unit.”

Whitfield explained schools that focus on individual skills and not unit-oriented training are subject to come up a short in their collective skill sets. With so many units leaving and returning from OIF deployments due to the high operation tempo, it’s difficult for those individual Marines to pass on what they learned at school to their Marines with shortened training schedules.

Not Division Schools, Whitfield said.

“A unit (roughly 350 Marines) can come here and receive training for three weeks without any interruptions,” he explained. “Here, they not only learn the weapon systems and (curriculum), they also learn team and squad-based skills. That’s a major focus here, functioning as a team.”

Whitfield explained that learning teamwork in training scenarios would likely set Marines up for success when they find themselves on the battlefield.

Last year, more than 6,000 Marines honed their combat skills at Division Skills, Whitfield said.

Whitfield attributes the school’s success to his instructors, seasoned combat veterans, many of whom have multiple deployments under their belts.

“The Marines here are extremely professional and have a lot to offer,” he said. “They are a valuable resource.”

The more than 70 instructors, which will be reduced to less than 40 in the coming months, have first-hand combat experience.

“They are a wealth of knowledge, eager to pass that on to their fellow infantryman (students as well as fellow instructors),” continued Whitfield.

A scout sniper by trade, Staff Sgt. Patrick E. Fay has been an instructor at the school for two years. The 26-year-old from Rialto, is the chief instructor for the pre-sniper school and preaches the importance of learning as much as possible.

“Marines always prepare for the last war,” said Fay, who was with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment for the initial push into Iraq. “We have learned so much since the war started. We’re still learning.”

Fay explained the Global War on Terrorism is an unconventional war, with the enemy dressed like civilians instead of uniformed troops.

A scout sniper with 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment during the Battle of Fallujah, Sgt. Lathel Wise III endured much of the fighting and decided it would be wise to pass on his knowledge to aspiring Marine snipers.

“The sniper community is small, and it’s important to train and develop the most capable snipers,” said the 27-year-old from Saginaw, Mich. “Snipers are depended upon to be as accurate as possible. That’s what makes or breaks us. Our mission is to gather intelligence for the battalion commander. We’re his eyes, ears and triggermen.”

Wise explained that the pre-sniper he teaches at Division Schools is designed to prepare Marines for the basic sniper course.

“The basic course has somewhat of a high attrition rate,” he said. “I want to teach them all that I know so that when they go to the basic course, it’s more of a refresher, and they will succeed.”

Wise enjoys passing on his knowledge.

“I have job satisfaction,” he said. “It means a lot to teach future snipers. Plus, training the Marines improves my skills as a sniper instructor, and maybe I’ll return (to a unit) a chief scout or instructor at the Scout Sniper Basic Course.”

Corporal Ryan D. Rinn is a forward observer instructor at the school. A two-time OIF veteran and recipient of two Purple Hearts, the 23-year-old mortarman from Arlington, Texas, relishes the chance to teach mortar skills to Marines.

“The use of mortarmen isn’t needed as much now, but we will eventually return to the trade,” he said. “Division Schools is a way for Marines to maintain and improve their mortar skills. Deploying Marines need the necessary tools to successfully complete their mission.”

Fay agreed.

“We should be ready to fight any type of enemy in any type of place,” said Fay. “Marines should go through Division Schools because there’s a pool of experienced war veterans here that can pass on their knowledge.”

Division Schools is always seeking instructors. It is preferred that potential instructors are combat veterans and have a minimum of nine months left on their contract. Call Whitfield for more information 725-8758.