Sgt. Jacob Pridgeon is a range safety officer with Marksmanship Training Unit and a Clearwater, Minn., native who dedicates his time to teaching fellow Marines in several ways. Pridgeon is a former Marine Corps Martial Arts Program instructor, a former rifle and pistol coach and is training to become a scuba diving instructor.

Pridgeon first became a MCMAP instructor in 2010 and continued to train Marines until February 2011. He has been unable to practice MCMAP due to a car accident, but hopes to regain his instructor tab before his upcoming deployment in August.

When Pridgeon was a corporal he taught his first MCMAP class, consisting of his chain of command with the lowest ranking Marine a master sergeant.

“Having to correct Marines’ techniques who have been serving longer than I had been alive was an interesting experience,” said Pridgeon.

Though Pridgeon was the one teaching higher-ranking Marines, they taught him something too. Pridgeon said he learned humility from the Marines he was instructing.

“It was really humbling having my colonel listening and paying close attention to my guidance and corrections,” said Pridgeon.

MCMAP was the beginning of his teaching career and taught him how to approach different people and different teaching techniques which would later prove to be handy.

“Pridgeon’s currently responsible for the overall safety of the range,” said Sgt. Brandon Lantrip, a line staff non-commissioned officer at the Hathcock Range and a Louisville, Ky., native. “When he was a coach, he was generally good. He was always calm when helping Marines and made them feel comfortable.”

Pridgeon is a former rifle and pistol coach, so when needed, he steps in to help instruct Marines on the firing line.

"I coach individual shooters if they're having difficulties or if they are a possible safety hazard,” said Pridgeon. “Most people feel more at ease when they have personalized attention from an outside influence."

Pridgeon may spend most of his time in the pistol tower, but misses being on the coaching line because he cannot directly help the Marines.

"I enjoy one-on-one talking with people and helping them better their skills," said Pridgeon.

Not only does Pridgeon work on the range, but he also spends his free time training to be a scuba diving instructor.

"My first experience in the ocean I loved," said Pridgeon. "I loved scuba diving, and I want to be able to share that with other people through teaching them to scuba dive."

Pridgeon is currently a master diver, and is slated to receive his certification as a dive control specialist in August. After completing his dive control specialist certification, Pridgeon will move on to the final certification as a scuba instructor.

Whether it is advice in MCMAP, the firing line or in the water, Pridgeon enjoys helping others by providing knowledge in the skills he is certified to teach or just helping a fellow Marine in need of help with a simple task.