American Celebrity
When Commandant Jones established the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) and the saying, “Every Marine a Rifleman,” it became “Every Marine a Rifleman, Every Marine a Martial Artist.” Within a few years, and several Directors of MCMAP had passed through the program, Lt. Colonel Joseph Shusko, was assigned to be Director of MCMAP, at Raider Hall, in Quantico, Va. and certain subtle changes began to take place. For one thing, the name of the site for the program became its heritage in reality, when Col. Shusko negotiated with Bill Fisher, President of the Marine Raider Association to move their complete Museum and all its artifacts to Raider Hall, while closing their original site. At this time, more materials are arriving from individual Raiders, after they got to meet the Colonel when they held their last Annual Raiders Convention at Raider Hall.
Still, the Program to make every Marine a Martial Artist was still the focal point of the million-dollar facility and Col Shusko brought something special to the program, a sense of morals and ethics, which he weaved into the martial arts program. His intent was not just to attain a background of martial arts and self-defense in the Marine Corps students who moved through this grueling program, but they also were to attain a sound moral base as men and women, as well as Marines. After each session on martial arts, Colonel Shusko, intervenes to bring a sense of the ethical treatment of everyone that these warriors meet in the future. He lays the foundation for moral superiority, which the Colonel, himself, lives by. Obviously, most Marines would not have made the choice to join the Corps, if their parents had not given them a step up on a moral compass, but with the knowledge that they acquire in the Corps and specifically in the martial arts program, it is a good idea to reinforce the ethical treatment as taught in the “Golden Rule.” Everyone in the martial arts were historically meant to be coached, on a continuous basis, to take charge of their temper and to avoid any incidents of violence, unless their very life is in danger or another innocent person is in harm’s way. However, few teachers attend to that element of the arts, seemingly too busy teaching their art and running their dojo. However, there are many Masters who have time in the art, that discuss the, determination to use their knowledge for good and use their awareness to avoid confrontation. Colonel Shusko goes the extra yard to turn out students and teachers who will toe the right mark, with fellow Marines and civilians alike. After their course is completed, they are not apt to use their knowledge foolishly.
Just as the Marine snipers, such as GySgt. Carlos Hathcock of Vietnam fame, have been written about and become famous, the Corps needs to make sure that each of their accomplishments comes to the notice of the civilians and politicians in the United States, because from their inception in 1775, they have had to fight to avoid being thrown on the junk pile and must eke out a living by getting the spill-over of the Navy. The Marines have been accustomed to win their every battle, whomever the enemy happens to be, with what would be the left-overs of the other Armed Forces. After every War, they must fight for their lives. It is the citizenry of our nation who would now rise up against any President or Congressional figure who would try to drop the Corps from the Armed Forces of our nation. So it behooves any Commander to allow the average American to know about new and exciting initiatives that the Corps creates. Colonel Shusko fills that bill significantly with his vaunted energy, which seems to wear out his young students, his enthusiasm is legend in the Corps and it is infectious. He not only teaches them morals and ethical conduct, but he is in the shape that most Marines arrive at coming out of Boot Camp. He goes to the mat with these young bulls and beats them hands down, every time. In fact, I have joked with him, that a cut on his nose will never heal if he continues to grapple with Marines who are young enough to be his children. If you meet him at 6:30 A.M. or 10:00 P.M. his energy level could be used to light up an average size city. He is a gracious host, who makes friends easily and keeps them with his honesty and forthrightness.
Recently, the Washington Times, visited Raider Hall and the columnist was so taken with Col. Shusko that he wrote an extraordinarily large article and actually mentioned his nickname, as the Cyborg, because of his unfailing conditioning and energy. It is his mind set that drives his body, because he loves being a Marine and running the “Largest martial arts school in the world.” Undoubtedly! I am proud to call him friend and proud that I have the T-shirt that says, “One mind, Any Weapon.” Upon his retirement, the Marine Corps has determined that he will be the first civilian Director of MCMAP. He could become the first Director forced to retire at age 100, with his conditioning and heart. May God Bless him.