The Marine Corps is known for many things. Courage in battle, professionalism in the office, and a general attitude that nothing can stop the Corps. These things are just the effect of a foundation that the Marine Corps has built overtime: Leadership.

The Marine Corps Leadership Seminar, as part of the Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management Branch for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, is a program that seeks out students in the college world and shows them what the Marine Corps standards for leadership are and how they can be a part of this world renowned organization. 

“We go out to students and influencers about becoming officers in the Marine Corps,” said Dr. Kenneth Dunn, the director of the seminar. “However, we don’t exclude anyone from coming to the seminar. If someone is interested we inform them about the enlisted side of the Corps and help them in their journey towards success.”

The seminar is a day and a half long that spotlights a leader in the Marine Corps, usually a Lieutenant Colonel or higher. 

“We always have a high ranking Marine officer as our guest,” said Dunn, “and we offer leadership workshops throughout the event.”

The seminar goes to colleges around the U.S., like the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Ky. and St. Augustine University in Raleigh N.C., to seek out those who could benefit from the Corps, as well as, be an asset to the organization.

 “These people could be officers some day,” said Dunn, “and they could lead Marines to complete the missions of the Marine Corps.”

The next event is on Feb. 21, 2014, at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond starting at 8:30 a.m. The guest speaker is Lt Col. Larry D. Parker, section head for Manpower Plans and Policies at Headquarters Marine Corps.

To register for the event contact Julia Wingfield at jhabbott@vcu.edu.

Visit the Marine Corps Leadership Seminar website at www.manpower.usmc.mil/MCLS for more information.

Correspondent: cameron.storm@usmc.mil