MEPS_FG_Section_1_v_1.1_8-12-13.pdf

SECTION 1: MEPS COMMUNICATION SKILLS PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND PREPARATION

© Copyright 2012 Marine Corps. All Rights Reserved. v.1.1

PROGRAM OVERVIEW AND PREPARATION

© Copyright 2012 Marine Corps. All Rights Reserved. v. 1.1

OVERVIEW

The MEPS Communication skills program is approximately a 1½ day program, designed for the new MEPS Liaison.

The MEPS Liaison’s mission is to make sure Marines who take the Marine Corps Oath of Enlistment are worthy of the Corps and absolutely qualified to serve their country as Marines.

This program is intended to provide an immediately useful set of concepts and skills that will support the complex communication challenges MEPS Liaisons face on a daily basis.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this program, the MEPS Liaison will be better able to:

Understand the critical role the MEPS Liaison plays in the enlistment process and maintain the quality and strength of the Marine Corps.

Be familiar with reasons why an applicant would conceal information.

Consistently detect when an applicant is withholding information or providing inaccurate information.

Establish an environment that allows for an effective Quality Control Interview.

Recognize and demonstrate advanced observation and questioning skills to uncover missing, concealed or misrepresented information.

Ensure that accurate and complete information is revealed prior to the applicant’s pre-and post-enlistment interviews with MEPS staff.

Build relationships with other influencers within MEPS to help overcome unanticipated obstacles in an applicant’s enlistment process.

Recognize and use a specific skill set when asking MEPS personnel (and others) for actions that are not standard operating procedure.

© Copyright 2012 Marine Corps. All Rights Reserved. v.1.1

FACILITATOR GUIDE ICONS

For ease of facilitation, refer to the icons provided throughout this guide:

Activity Timing

Say This, Make These Points, Review These Points, etc.

Display or Refer to a Wall Chart, Prepared Turn Chart Slide, etc.

Distribute or Refer to Materials

Provide Instructions

Ask These Questions or Debrief

Play DVD segment

© Copyright 2012 Marine Corps. All Rights Reserved. v. 1.1

FACILITATION GUIDELINES

The style of this guide assumes that the facilitator has classroom instruction experience. It typically does not provide specific scripted language or overly detailed transitions. As a facilitator, you should apply your own experience in facilitation, MEPS and the Marine Corps to expand or enhance the facilitation instructions provided.

There are opportunities in this program for both you as the facilitator and for the participants to capture information on turn charts during certain activities. This information can be useful as reference throughout the entire training. Keep all turn charts for the remainder of the two weeks and refer back to them to help emphasize key learning points.

Keep these guidelines in mind:

Thumbnail images of required materials are provided on the Facilitator Notes pages.

When giving reading assignments, write page numbers on a turn chart for reference.

Supplement examples and questions provided and encourage discussion as time permits.

Set the expectation that participants should volunteer answers to questions when you ask.

Answers to look for in response to suggested questions are often indicated in this guide.

They follow the question and are printed in bold italics.

Allow time for participants to ask questions of their own.

Breaks and lunch are not written into the guide; provide them according to your schedule.

Optional:

Post MC3 wall charts or provide skill reference cards to the participants for reference throughout the course

REVIEW DAY 1

The program contains approximately 7½ hours of instruction time, not including breaks and lunch. Considering typical lunch, breaks and unscheduled interruptions, 1½ days of classroom time should be allotted for this program.

On the morning of Day 2, take a few minutes to review the key points covered during Day 1. Do this creatively – engage participants. For example:

Assign groups specific topics to “teach back” to the full group. Allow 5 minutes preparation time and up to 5 minutes teaching time per group. Offer turn charts and markers to each group, if desired, to support the “teaches.” Shape their work as necessary and build on any ideas that need support.

PREWORK

There is no prework for this course.

© Copyright 2012 Marine Corps. All Rights Reserved. v.1.1

PROGRAM PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Prepare the following turn charts ahead of time:

MEPS COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Start Time: ________ End Time: ________

Expectations, A Day in the Life

Communicating with Applicants:

o The Whole Truth?

o Purposeful Conversations

– Quality Control Interviews o MEPS Questioning

Techniques o Listen with Purpose –

Observe Body Language o Practice

Building Relationships at MEPS and Beyond o Purposeful Conversation –

Ask for An Exception

A DAY IN THE LIFE, PART 1

WHAT WHO

AM

Mid – Day

PM

Prepare the slides as turn charts if no projection system is available.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

WHO HOW IMPACT

FEELING?

© Copyright 2012 Marine Corps. All Rights Reserved. v.1.1

PROGRAM MATERIALS CHECKLIST

Facilitator Materials

ITEM QUANTITY

Facilitator Guide 1 per facilitator

Set of 3 MEPS Communication Skills Wall Charts 1 per facilitator

MEPS Communication Skills Video DVD 1 per facilitator

MEPS Communication Skills PPT CD 1 per facilitator

Blank turn chart paper 2 – 3 pads

Markers 1 full set of chart markers

Prepared turn charts Details above

Participant Materials

ITEM QUANTITY

Participant Guide

1 per participant

Skill Reference Cards

1 set per participant

Interview Scenario Score Sheet Handout

1 per participant

Note pads and pens/pencils 1 per participant

UNIT 1: MEPS COMMUNICATION SKILLS KICKOFF (1 HOUR, 15 MINUTES)

Activity Timing

Welcome and Expectations 15 minutes

Video: What The CO Expects 15 minutes

A Day in the Life of the MEPS Liaison 45 minutes

UNIT 2: COMMUNICATING WITH APPLICANTS (4 HOURS, 35 MINS)

Tools and Skills for MEPS Communication 5 minutes

Activity: The Whole Truth? 40 minutes

Presentation/Discussion: Purposeful Conversations – Quality Control Interviews

20 minutes

Reading and Discussion – MEPS Questioning Techniques

20 minutes

Video: MEPS Questioning Techniques (MEPS QTs) 20 minutes

Activity: MEPS Questioning Techniques 40 minutes

Reading and Discussion – Listen with Purpose:

Observe Body Language

20 minutes

Video – Listen with Purpose: Observe Body Language

20 minutes

MEPS Questioning Techniques: Leader-Guided Practice

60 minutes

MEPS Quality Control Interview Role Play 30 minutes

© Copyright 2012 Marine Corps. All Rights Reserved. v.1.1

UNIT 3: BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AT MEPS AND BEYOND

(1 HOUR, 35 MINUTES)

Presentation/Discussion: MEPS Staff Roles and Priorities

15 minutes

Purposeful Conversation: Ask For An Exception 20 minutes

Video: Ask for an Exception 15 minutes

Ask For An Exception Role Play 20 minutes

Activity: When An Exception is Not Approved 15 minutes

Program Takeaways and Closeout 10 minutes

Total time without breaks and lunch – 7 hours, 25 minutes