MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Attention all corporals! As of October 1, 2013, completing an online or command-sponsored Corporals Course will be a requirement for promotion to sergeant.
Although completion of either course is sufficient to render a Marine professional military education-complete for promotion, Corporals Course leaders suggest a better way.
“Take the online course, and then find a command-sponsored course,” said Gunnery Sgt. Luis Romero, Service Co., company gunnery sergeant. “Marines will have a better understanding of what they did online by attending a command-sponsored course.”
Lance corporals with nine months time-in-grade and all corporals are eligible to take the course.
“Marines need to meet height and weight standards and be physically fit to attend the course,” said Romero.
The course is the first of several required non-commissioned officer and staff NCO rank-specific PME courses Marines must complete to earn higher ranks.
“The course emphasizes warfighting, leadership, mentorship and the small unit leader,” said Romero. “The Marine Corps relies on NCOs and Corporals Course teaches Marines how to become leaders and mentors to other Marines.”
Cpl. Jenna Jewell, review non-commissioned officer-in-charge, Legal Service Support Section agrees.
“It was a good hands-on way to learn different leadership tools,” said Jewell, who completed Corporals Course about four weeks ago. “As leaders, we need to lead the way we would want to be led, but also develop our own style of leadership.”
During the three weeks of instruction, Marines are given refresher courses on items such as land navigation and Marine Corps traditions while also being taught new information such as sword manual and mess night protocol.
“Marines need to understand that as non-commissioned officers there is a change in their responsibilities,” said Romero. “An NCO has a lot of responsibility and authority, not just a pay raise. You have to live up to those responsibilities.”
Headquarters and Service Battalion offers the course at least four times a year. The next one is being held from Oct. 11- Nov. 1, 2013.
Marines interested in taking the course can contact their company gunnery sergeant to enroll.
Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil