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K38 Japan in association with MARIS offer Personal Watercraft Rescue Training and First Aid courses.

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USMC Base Camp Butler Fire Department, Okinawa PWC Rescue Training

Written by K38rescue on

OKINAWA USMC Base Camp Butler Fire Department

K38 JAPAN

My first trip to Japan was to Yokohama, Tokyo and an assortment of other related training sites and locations. We were launching K38 Japan and I had a lot of work to do on behalf of the new partnership. Within a few months after our progression in the PWC training and edcuation field for thier nation, our team headed to Okinawa.

The USMC base located at Camp Butler has a very progressive fire department administration. They organized 2 shifts B & A to received training. We trained at 2 locations, Kin Blue beach being my personal favorite. The waters are warm, and clear, striking in fact. Mesmerizing if I can say that even though I was there to teach, the feel and texture of the water was seductive. These waters were different from the colder norther lands of Japan north of here. This was one step closer to the equatorial currents that bring nutrients of life to the polynesian island chains.

I fell in love with Okinawa. The history and people both stand the times of resiliency through the ages, a pawn of many yet a stalwart and generous people I find, big hearts and well, island people! In general island cultures are pleasing in themselves, the isolation and surival on remote areas with no borders touching their fringe, are a delight and in some ways that island fever begs for a new horizon. But not when the water is warm. LOL

The training was perfect. I had two translators, very impressive individuals, one being Simon an instructor. Poor guys, they had to switch back to double dialogues, I cannot imagine that overload.

The training program was solid becuase the students pay attention, they are detail specialists and extremely professional in all manners. They pull their load and carry their weight, there is immediate response when teamwork is involved. Very refreshing I might add.

Shuri Castle was a lifelong dream for me to roam the grounds of this historical site. Shotokan create finds its beginnings here due to the nature of the beast. My uncle Bryon Quivey was my sinsei and impressed me with the levels of respect and honor that have last my full lifetime to date. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsg34LIc1vk

The WWII battles that were fought here were brutal, the people suffered, as all people do in times of conflict and war, the truth be told. I toured the tunnels and historic sites with my wonderful escorts and found it difficult to place myself in the shoes of the Marines, and the Okinawans and Japanese military in those days, just one word comes to mind 'brutal'.

The MCBJ fire department has their game on. They have good leadership and good players. I am looking forward to working with them again and helping them in their program development. An island culture steeped in history with water surrounding all their shores, they will certainly be providing excellent lifesaving support the the US Marines, families and people of Okinawa in time of need.

Bonzai!

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