GARDEN CITY, N.Y. -- Standing at 5 feet 11 inches tall and 195 pounds this Marine is the epitome of physical fitness. It comes as no surprise this body-building award winner was awarded as honor graduate of his Martial Arts Instructor Course.
Sgt. Malik S. King, a native of Hempstead N.Y., and graduate of Hempstead High school in 2005, is the purchasing agent, warehouse chief, Color Sergeant and now Martial Arts Instructor for the 1st Marine Corps District.
King joined the Marine Corps in 2006 and attended recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., and Marine Combat Training at Camp Geiger, N.C. After this King was assigned to the Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and deployed to Iraq. Then he transferred to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, and deployed to Afghanistan. He is currently a purchasing agent, warehouse chief and Color Sergeant at the 1st Marine Corps District.
Recently, King was offered the chance to attend the Martial Arts Instructor Course.
“The Martial Arts Instructor Course is a three-week course,” said King. “It is a course put in place to produce efficient professional instructors in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. They teach the three disciplines which are mental discipline, physical discipline and above all else, character discipline.”
According to King, the course was one of the most physically demanding things he has ever done.
“They told us up front: ‘Most formal schools will tell you this is not a physical training academy, but MAI course is a PT academy’ and it showed through to the very end,” said Cpl. Paris Capers, King’s squad leader during the MAI course.
The Marines were required to display the ability to execute techniques, teach techniques and grade student’s execution of techniques. King’s MAI course was a class of 23 Marines that graduated 17.
“That drive to remain competitive and keep that all-Marine concept is what kept me going,” said King. “I didn’t want to fail because I knew if I succeeded it would make me more versatile, it would make me a better Marine.”
King graduated with the highest cumulative GPA in his class, earning him the honor graduate award upon completion of the course. The honor graduate was chosen by averaging all graded assignments.
“Sgt. King was a clear example of what a senior NCO should be. He was calm under pressure, firm with his juniors and peers alike, direct, but respectful with his seniors,” said Capers. “He was definitely deserving of honor graduate. I feel like I was pointed in the right direction as far as mission in the Marine Corps. We are a warfighting organization and martial art is one invaluable part of war fighting.”
King is a graduate of corporal’s course, sergeant’s course, the United STates Army Airborne School, the MAI Course, the supply introduction NCO course and the supply chief course.
“I’ve been in the Marine Corps seven years now and being competitive is very important to me,” said King. “I ask myself 'If every quarter there was a meritorious board, would I be competitive?' So with that in mind I’m always trying to progress, not only in the Marine Corps for promotion reasons but as a human being.”