Etiquette School of New York in Saratoga Springs

Military Courses - WAYPOINTS...

In a Navy or Marine Corps career, the term “Waypoint,” can be used to symbolically refer to the important periods throughout one’s career where it is necessary to pause in order to learn new information, incorporate it, grow intellectually, maturing and then move forward better able to lead others to the best of their abilities.

Consider as a junior officer all the new things you encounter in the military community. You are in a stage of learning. Not only do you learn a new technical vocabulary and the Navy/Marine Corps way of doing things but you learn how to be responsible for others. After a certain amount of time, proficiency in your technical knowledge and gaining more working leadership knowledge you are considered for a promotion. This is done with the belief that you are ready to learn even more and accept more responsibility. One day, after mastering the many technical skills and successful practice in how to care for your personnel, you are then considered for a position as a Department Head. From there, with the most complete technical knowledge, experience, education and professional and personal ability, you become and Executive Officer and then a Commanding Officer.

For enlisted personnel after recruit training and your occupational training, you will enter the enlisted ranks somewhere between the pay grades of E-1 and E-3. You too, are in the first stages of learning all about the military and your occupational field. You work hard and strive to become an NCO which requires more professional experience, personal responsibility and the ability to train others that you are responsible for. The better your people perform, reflects on your ability as a leader. Each of these stages in your professional development and personal life, picture if you will, a point on the line of your linear development as a Sailor, Marine or Officer.; a “Waypoint,” where you can look back and see how each stage built upon the preceding stage.

It is with these stages or various points along your career path in mind that these courses have been created. What you say, how you say it and your behavior DOES MATTER. Each class offered has been a class that there has been a need for and has already been taught before being offered here.

These modules are offered from a unique perspective having ten-years of Staff NCO knowledge from the U.S. Marine Corps, 20+ years of knowledge as a Commanding Officer wife and Naval Officer’s spouse, and the academic and professional knowledge acquired with a Master’s in Education (Curriculum & Instruction). These three elements combined with a Philosophy degree that concentrated on Ethics and Leadership, are used in professionally creating engaging and relevant course syllabus for America’s service heroes. No boring lectures! Each active duty member is fully engaged and will remember and retain what they are taught…from the newest active duty member to the most seasoned flag officer.

The Etiquette School of New York teaches lessons governing military protocols and the professional social graces that have been the standard from the inception of our country’s Department of the Navy. John Paul Jones, one of our country’s most revered naval officers, commented to the Naval Committee of Congress on September 14, 1775; “It is by no means enough that an Officer of the Navy should be a capable mariner. He must be that, of course, but also a great deal more. He should be, as well, a gentleman of liberal educations, refined manners, punctilious courtesy, and the nicest sense of personal honor. He should be able to express himself clearly and with force in his own language, both with tongue and pen.”

The confidence of a firm handshake, the ability to look a person directly in the eye as you are introduced, the ability to speak clearly and distinctly, as well as the ability to listen more often than speak – irrespective of your rank - are tools that will benefit any Sailor, Marine or Officer throughout their entire life. Learning the art of meaningful conversation, remembering and making a point to include everyone around you in the conversation and not just talking about work while at social functions is an expectation of all non-commissioned and commissioned officers. And finally, all service personnel should know how and be expected to write notes of thanks, congratulations and other appropriate correspondence as the occasion dictates according to our proud naval traditions.

There is a two-fold edit of the Department of Defense which is to teach each young American that enlists or receives a commission, a viable trade that benefits the individual’s chosen branch of service, today. Secondly, it is the duty of the chosen branch of service to help improve the Marine, Sailor or Officer as an individual in their moral growth, cultural awareness and civic-mindedness.

With our world situation as it is today, the luxury of time that can be devoted to this customary professional development, which is consistently received over time and helps to maintain the well-rounded Marine, Sailor and Officer, rarely exists now. It is not that these professional and social skills have become any less important, on the contrary! It is simply that operations are the priority and manpower efforts go there. Therefore, the “Waypoint” syllabus is a wonderful, efficient way to accomplish this important training and professional development in your Command without having to use your Command’s limited human resources or workday hours, preparing such classes.

Additionally, The Etiquette School of New York offers classes designed specifically for Flag Mess Specialists, Drivers for Flag Officers and other VIPs, Public Affair Officers, Command Protocol Officers, Staff Secretaries, Ombudsmen and Key Volunteers. Our classes offer the “extra” that these individuals will encounter in “real life” situations that are not always covered at the schools they attend or the manuals they are given!

We offer a wonderful course for Chief Initiates and spouses, as well as any senior Staff NCOs in the Marine Corps and their spouses. Whether you desire it or not, your lives and your responsibilities will change profoundly once this rank is attained. Therefore, meet it head-on and embrace your new role. It is important that you have the knowledge and confidence to maneuver in any professional or social situation you may find yourself.

We offer great classes for Navy Support Groups and Marine Family Support Groups – even children’s groups for various commands. These courses have been wildly successful and enjoyable; especially as an event while the individual’s command is deployed.

And finally, we offer a module…our own exciting version…of the traditional Command Leadership Course for New Commanding Officer and Perspective Executive Officer spouses, as well as a course for newly selected Flag Officers and their spouses. It is a marvelous course; informative, engaging, thought provoking and enjoyable as you readily see it value through your participation. We focus on covering all the important elements that are many times left out of the Fleet and Family Support Center Training and provide the extra polish that turns the ordinary training into the EXTRAORDINARY.

Below, please find a sample of topics covered in our classes. (To get a complete list, please contact us either by telephone, email or traditional mail.) We are happy to provide you answers to any questions you may have or to discuss availability dates and our rates. (9:00 am to 9:00 pm EST).

SELF-PRESENTATION

MAKING YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION AT Y OUR NEW COMMAND

THE FOUR TYPES OF INTRODUCTIONS

THE RECEIVING LINE AND YOUR PLACE IN IT

SAYING GOOD-BYE TO THE CO

THE CHANGE OF COMMAND

WELCOMING THE NEW CO

THE ABC’S OF LEADERSHIP

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO LEAD THOSE JUNIOR IN RANK

LET’S TALK ABOUT THOSE BRIEFINGS

COMMAND HOLIDAY EVENTS

ENTERTAINING IN YOUR HOME FOR TWO-TO-TWO HUNDRED