MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Fifteen attentive firefighters hang on every word of what the young Marine at the front of the classroom has to say. What she is telling them could save their lives.
Lance Cpl. Deborah A. Jones, a 2d Marine Division Nuclear, Biological and Chemical defense specialist, teaches classes to firemen from Camp Lejeune regarding the use of tools able to detect NBC threats.
“The firemen appreciate the classes because they know they need it and will most likely use it in the future,” the Chattanooga, Tenn., native said.
Jones taught the firemen how to use the AN/PDR 77 on Oct. 12. The AN/PDR 77 is a device that is capable of detecting multiple types of radiation. When radiation is detected by the device’s wand, it beeps through headphones worn by the user. This allows firemen to detect radiation at crash sites or other types of accidents.
This was the second time Jones taught the class on the AN/PDR 77. She usually teaches classes on decontamination procedures and NBC threats.
“I usually teach more NBC training, it is more in-depth than recruit training or Marine Combat Training,” Jones stated.
Jones started her teaching career by taking childcare development courses at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. She continued to learn about teaching at her NBC school, only now she is teaching fellow Marines about NBC information.
“I haven’t taught in a while. This class has helped me get back in my teaching groove,” Jones explained.
The NBC Marines hone their teaching skills on each other before they take them to the classroom.
“We get up and teach an entire lesson to fellow Marines and they critique us. The practice lets us feel more natural when we actually teach a class,” Jones explained.
“One of the most important parts of teaching is knowing your subject material,” Jones continued. “It is good to start the class with an attention getter, then use interesting facts to keep the audience’s attention.”
Jones decided to go into the NBC career field because she was interested in biology and science. She learned about the two from her parents while she was home schooled.
“I liked to see how things react and how chemicals work, it is cool to see what you can do with certain chemicals,” Jones explained.
Jones is currently preparing to deploy to Iraq in February with the 2d Marine Division. She will be providing security for Marines in Iraq and will also continue to teach Marines about NBC.
“We have been going to machine gun ranges and doing urban warfare and security training, the normal Marine stuff,” Jones said.
Jones’ teaching goes beyond the spectrum of normal skills. She educates Marines and firemen on how to use equipment that can detect NBC threats and save their lives. She also teaches Marines about the gear that they will need to be able to wear and use to protect from NBC threats.
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